Mandarin learning guide
Learn with 怎麼開始的
This guide follows the song’s repeated question, “怎么开始的,” as it moves through regret, confusion, and a half-clear memory of how things changed. The lyrics are useful for learning how Mandarin expresses reflection, contrast, and cause-and-effect in a personal, direct voice.
What to listen for
The lyrics circle around one central question: how something began, how it changed, and why it now feels difficult to return. The song moves from responsibility and guilt, to recalled intimacy, to the idea that things may have improved or simply felt dreamlike, while repeatedly returning to the same question for emphasis. This makes it a strong short text for learning how Mandarin repeats a phrase to create focus, and how words like “曾经,” “后来,” and “好像” mark time and uncertainty.
- Recognize how repeated questions create emphasis in Mandarin lyrics.
- Understand how the song marks shifts between past memory and present reflection.
- Learn practical vocabulary for admitting responsibility, recalling a moment, and expressing uncertainty.
How the song moves
Opening blame and responsibility
The first lines frame the situation as disordered and ask everyone to take responsibility before the question “怎么开始的” appears.
Memory of the beginning
The lyrics turn back to the moment of infatuation, then immediately contrast it with a later scar and the sense that return is impossible.
Refrain and unresolved reflection
The repeated question returns several times, alongside images of sudden improvement, dreamlike memory, mixed voices, and waking up again.
Translation choices
一切都乱了 我们都该负责任
- Natural English
- Everything is in chaos; we should all take responsibility.
- Why
- “乱了” is naturally rendered as “in chaos” here, and “该负责任” is a direct, balanced English choice that preserves the shared responsibility in the line.
转过头让自己回想当初倾心那一刻
- Natural English
- Turning back, I recall the moment I was deeply infatuated.
- Why
- “回想” is best rendered as “recall,” and “倾心” points to strong emotional attraction, so “deeply infatuated” fits the reflective tone without overexplaining.
在不起眼的某个瞬间就突然又好了
- Natural English
- In an unremarkable moment, everything suddenly got better.
- Why
- This keeps the contrast between “不起眼的某个瞬间” and “突然又好了,” preserving the idea of an ordinary moment followed by an abrupt change.
Useful Mandarin from the song
Used here after “该,” it expresses what someone ought to do. It is common in everyday accountability language.
This word describes mentally returning to a past moment. It fits reflective narration and can be used with memories, events, or conversations.
This is a set phrase meaning to follow the same failed path again. It is useful beyond the song when warning against repeating errors.
Here it introduces uncertainty and a dreamlike impression. It is a very flexible way to soften a statement or describe something indirectly.
Listen closely
- Notice how “怎么开始的” returns again and again; the repeated line works like a refrain and also as a real question.
- Listen for the shift from blame words like “负责任” and “罪证” to memory words like “回想” and “曾经.”
- Pay attention to the contrast between certainty and uncertainty: “都回不去了” sounds definite, while “好像” and “意外梦见的” make the memory feel unsure.
Check your understanding
Which line most clearly asks the central question of the song?
Show answer
“怎么开始的。”
Which phrase in the lyrics means that repeating the same mistake should be avoided?
Show answer
“重蹈那覆辙。”