Let's study Japanese through "Alkatale," the opening theme of "Summer Pockets." It's a song that makes you long for summer.
A Guide to the Japanese Visual Novel Song "Alkatale" from "Summer Pockets"
During summer vacation, the protagonist, Umi Takahara, visits Torishirojima to organize the belongings left by her late grandmother. Alongside her aunt, Kagetsu Kirishima, they organize the items and enjoy the island life with new friends they meet on the island. As the summer vacation comes to an end, Umi finds herself reluctant to part with the island and the memories created.
"Alkatale" was used as the opening theme for the game.
The Japanese Lyrics of "Alkatale" from "Summer Pockets"
伝える言葉は決めていたはずなのに 変わることのない景色に目をそらしてた 小さな勇気が欲しくてうつむいた 白い眩しさだけに焦がれてた
Tsutaeru kotoba wa kimete ita hazu na noni Kawaru koto no nai keshiki ni me o sorashiteta Chiisana yuuki ga hoshikute utsumuita Shiroi mabushisa dake ni kogareteta
夏を書き綴るノートの終わりが近づいてくる やがて訪れる日には せめて笑顔のままで 手を振りたくて…
Natsu o kaki tsuzuru nooto no owari ga chikazuite kuru Yagate otozureru hi ni wa semete egao no mama de Te o furitakute...
歩き続ける事でしか届かないものがあるよ 今も温かな手のぬくもりを探し続けている いくつもの優しさを繋いでも辿り着けないから 今も何度でもボクは夏の面影の中 繰り返すよ
Aruki tsuzukeru koto de shika todokanai mono ga aru yo Ima mo atataka na te no nukumori o sagashi tsuzukete iru Ikutsu mo no yasashisa o tsunaidemo tadori tsukenai kara Ima mo nando demo boku wa natsu no omokage no naka kurikaesu yo
静寂をさまよう一片の幼子は つかの間のゆりかごの中 目を閉じていた 夢から目覚めるその時がくるまで 白い眩しさに包まれている
Seijaku o samayou hitohira no youji wa Tsukanoma no yurikago no naka me o tojite ita Yume kara mezameru sono toki ga kuru made Shiroi mabushisa ni tsutsumarete iru
夏の足跡を追いかけボクは思い出をこぼす 何が悲しいのかさえ忘れてしまうけれど 立ち止まれない
Natsu no ashiato o oikake boku wa omoide o kobosu Nani ga kanashii no ka sae wasureteshimau keredo Tachidomarenai
歩き続ける事でしか残せない物があるよ あの日途切れてしまった言葉を繋ぎ止めたいだけ 風が涙をさらったとしても忘れないで欲しい 声が届かなくても 夏を刻む花火を 見た記憶を…
Aruki tsuzukeru koto de shika nokosenai mono ga aru yo Ano hi togirete shimatta kotoba o tsunagi tome tai dake Kaze ga namida o saratta to shite mo wasurenaide hoshii Koe ga todokanakute mo, natsu o kizamu hanabi o Mita kioku o...
羽ばたいた数を数え空を舞う羽は 小さな勇気でいつも眩しさだけ求め続けていた
Habataita kazu o kazoeku sora o mau hane wa Chiisana yuuki de itsumo mabushisa dake motome tsuzukete ita
歩き続ける事でしか届かないものがあるよ 今も温かな手のぬくもりを探し続けている いくつもの優しさを繋いでも辿り着けないから 今も何度でもボクは夏の面影を 振り返るよ
Aruki tsuzukeru koto de shika todokanai mono ga aru yo Ima mo atataka na te no nukumori o sagashi tsuzukete iru Ikutsu mo no yasashisa o tsunaidemo tadori tsukenai kara Ima mo nando demo boku wa natsu no omokage o furikaeru yo
The English Translation of "Alkatale" from "Summer Pockets"
Even though I had decided on the words to convey, I averted my eyes from the unchanging scenery. I wanted a small courage and looked down, Longing only for the dazzling whiteness.
The end of the notebook that records the summer is approaching. When the day eventually comes, I want to wave my hand, At least with a smile…
There are things that can only be reached by continuing to walk. I'm still searching for the warmth of your hand. Connecting many kindnesses still won't get me there, So now, any number of times, I am in the shadow of summer, repeating.
A small child wandering in silence, Closed its eyes in a transient cradle. Until the time comes to wake up from the dream, It is enveloped in dazzling whiteness.
Chasing the footsteps of summer, I spill memories. Even if I forget what's sad, I can't stop.
There are things that can only be left behind by continuing to walk. I just want to connect the words that were cut off that day. Even if the wind carries away the tears, I want you to remember. Even if my voice doesn't reach, the fireworks that carve out the summer, The memory of seeing them…
Counting the number of flights, the wings dancing in the sky, Always sought only the brightness with a small courage.
There are things that can only be reached by continuing to walk. I'm still searching for the warmth of your hand. Connecting many kindnesses still won't get me there, So now, any number of times, I look back at the shadow of summer.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Learning Japanese N5 and N4 Vocabulary with "Alkatale" from "Summer Pockets"
0:31~
伝える言葉は決めていたはずなのに 変わることのない景色に目をそらしてた 小さな勇気が欲しくてうつむいた 白い眩しさだけに焦がれてた
Even though I had decided on the words to convey, I averted my eyes from the unchanging scenery. I wanted a small courage and looked down, Longing only for the dazzling whiteness.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 伝える | つたえる | tsutaeru | to convey, to tell | 2 verb |
| 言葉 | ことば | kotoba | word, language | noun |
| 決める | きめる | kimeru | to decide | 2 verb |
| はず | はず | hazu | expectation, should be | noun |
| 変わる | かわる | kawaru | to change | 1 verb |
| ない | ない | nai | not | aux-adj |
| 景色 | けしき | keshiki | scenery, landscape | noun |
| 目 | め | me | eye | noun |
| 小さい | ちいさい | chiisai | small | i-adj |
| 勇気 | ゆうき | yūki | courage | noun |
| 白い | しろい | shiroi | white | i-adj |
| 眩しい | まぶしい | mabushii | bright, dazzling | i-adj |
Related Word to 言葉
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 言葉 | ことば | kotoba | word, language | noun |
| 言う | いう | iu | to say | 1 verb |
Related Word to 白い
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 白い | しろい | shiroi | white | i-adj |
| 黒い | くろい | kuroi | black | i-adj |
| 赤い | あかい | akai | red | i-adj |
| 青い | あおい | aoi | blue | i-adj |
| 黄色い | きいろい | kiiroi | yellow | i-adj |
0:57~
夏を書き綴るノートの終わりが近づいてくる やがて訪れる日には せめて笑顔のままで 手を振りたくて…
The end of the notebook that records the summer is approaching. When the day eventually comes, I want to wave my hand, At least with a smile...
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 夏 | なつ | natsu | summer | noun |
| 書く | かく | kaku | to write | 1 verb |
| ノート | のーと | nōto | notebook | noun |
| 終わり | おわり | owari | end | noun |
| 近づく | ちかづく | chikazuku | to approach, to get closer | 1 verb |
| 訪れる | おとずれる | otozureru | to visit, to come to | 2 verb |
| 日 | ひ | hi | day, sun | noun |
| 笑顔 | えがお | egao | smile | noun |
| 手 | て | te | hand | noun |
Related Word to 笑顔
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 笑顔 | えがお | egao | smile | noun |
| 笑う | わらう | warau | to laugh | 1 verb |
1:15~
歩き続ける事でしか届かないものがあるよ 今も温かな手のぬくもりを探し続けている いくつもの優しさを繋いでも辿り着けないから 今も何度でもボクは夏の面影の中 繰り返すよ
There are things that can only be reached by continuing to walk. I'm still searching for the warmth of your hand. Connecting many kindnesses still won't get me there, So now, any number of times, I am in the shadow of summer, repeating.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 歩く | あるく | aruku | to walk | 1 verb |
| 続ける | つづける | tsuzukeru | to continue | 2 verb |
| しか | しか | shika | only | particle |
| 届く | とどく | todoku | to reach, to be delivered | 1 verb |
| ある | ある | aru | to be, to exist | 1 verb |
| 今 | いま | ima | now | noun |
| 温かい | あたたかい | atatakai | warm | i-adj |
| 探す | さがす | sagasu | to search, to look for | 1 verb |
| いくつ | いくつ | ikutsu | how many | pronoun |
| 優しい | やさしい | yasashii | kind, gentle | i-adj |
| 僕 | ぼく | boku | I (male) | noun |
| 中 | なか | naka | inside | noun |
| 繰り返す | くりかえす | kurikaesu | to repeat | 1 verb |
Related Word to 歩く
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 歩く | あるく | aruku | to walk | 1 verb |
| 走る | はしる | hashiru | to run | 1 verb |
Related Word to しか
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| しか | しか | shika | only | particle |
| だけ | だけ | dake | only | particle |
Related Word to ある
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ある | ある | aru | to be, to exist | 1 verb |
| ない | ない | nai | not | auxiliary verb |
Related Word to 今
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 今 | いま | ima | now | noun |
| 昔 | むかし | mukashi | in the past | noun |
Related Word to 温かい
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 温かい | あたたかい | atatakai | warm | i-adj |
| 冷たい | つめたい | tsumetai | cold | i-adj |
Related Word to 中
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 中 | なか | naka | inside | noun |
| 外 | そと | soto | outside | noun |
1:58~
静寂をさまよう一片の幼子は つかの間のゆりかごの中 目を閉じていた 夢から目覚めるその時がくるまで 白い眩しさに包まれている
A small child wandering in silence, Closed its eyes in a transient cradle. Until the time comes to wake up from the dream, It is enveloped in dazzling whiteness.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 閉じる | とじる | tojiru | to close | 2 verb |
| 夢 | ゆめ | yume | dream | noun |
Related Word to 閉じる
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 閉じる | とじる | tojiru | to close | 2 verb |
| 開ける | あける | akeru | to open | 2 verb |
2:25~
夏の足跡を追いかけボクは思い出をこぼす 何が悲しいのかさえ忘れてしまうけれど 立ち止まれない
Chasing the footsteps of summer, I spill memories. Even if I forget what's sad, I can't stop.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 足跡 | あしあと | ashiato | footprint | noun |
| 思い出 | おもいで | omoidé | memory | noun |
| 何 | なに | nani | what | pronoun |
| 悲しい | かなしい | kanashii | sad | i-adj |
| 忘れる | わすれる | wasureru | to forget | 2 verb |
| 立ち止まる | たちどまる | tachidomaru | to stop, to stand still | 1 verb |
Related Word to 思い出
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 思い出 | おもいで | omoidé | memory | noun |
| 思う | おもう | omou | to think, to feel | 1 verb |
| 出る | でる | deru | to come out | 2 verb |
2:41~
歩き続ける事でしか残せない物があるよ あの日途切れてしまった言葉を繋ぎ止めたいだけ 風が涙をさらったとしても忘れないで欲しい 声が届かなくても 夏を刻む花火を 見た記憶を…
There are things that can only be left behind by continuing to walk. I just want to connect the words that were cut off that day. Even if the wind carries away the tears, I want you to remember. Even if my voice doesn't reach, the fireworks that carve out the summer, The memory of seeing them...
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 残す | のこす | nokosu | to leave (behind) | 1 verb |
| もの | もの | mono | thing | noun |
| 風 | かぜ | kaze | wind | noun |
| 涙 | なみだ | namida | tear | noun |
| ほしい | ほしい | hoshii | want, wish | i-adj |
| 声 | こえ | koe | voice | noun |
| 花火 | はなび | hanabi | fireworks | noun |
| 記憶 | きおく | kioku | memory | noun |
3:35~
羽ばたいた数を数え空を舞う羽は 小さな勇気でいつも眩しさだけ求め続けていた
Counting the number of flights, the wings dancing in the sky, Always sought only the brightness with a small courage.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 数 | かず | kazu | number | noun |
| 数える | かぞえる | kazoeru | to count | 2 verb |
| 空 | そら | sora | sky | noun |
| 羽 | はね | hane | feather, wing | noun |
Related Word to 数
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 数 | かず | kazu | number | noun |
| 数学 | すうがく | sūgaku | mathematics | noun |
| 算数 | さんすう | sansū | arithmetic | noun |