癡人說夢 Lyrics & Pinyin - Learn Chinese

Have you ever confessed your wildest ambition, only to be met with a skeptical smirk and told you’re chasing a fantasy? In Chinese, there’s a biting idiom for this exact brand of doubt: chī rén shuō mèng (癡人說夢)—literally, "a fool babbling about his dreams." But for Taiwanese hip-hop powerhouse Nine One One (玖壹壹), being called fools was simply the fuel they needed to spark a revolution. Formed in 2009, the trio—consisting of members Ken G, Onion, and Spring—pioneered a raw, "local-style" hip-hop that blended Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, and addictive dance-pop beats, transforming them from underground internet sensations into one of Taiwan’s most commercially successful pop groups that speaks directly to the soul of working-class youth.

Their defiant track "癡人說夢" (Empty Dreams) is a masterclass in turning skepticism into gold, making it the perfect, high-energy gateway to learning authentic, emotionally charged Chinese. By breaking down these grit-infused lyrics, you will move past dry textbook dialogues and unlock real-world Taiwanese slang, poetic metaphors, and the fierce, local spirit that defines modern Mandopop.

Quick Info

The Story Behind the Song

In the lexicon of Chinese idioms, "癡人說夢" is a weapon of conformity—a mocking dismissal of those who dream beyond their station. Yet, Taiwanese trio Nine One One reclaims this insult as a badge of honor. Their raw, defiant anthem transforms societal cynicism into fuel, capturing the suffocating weight of self-doubt and the sting of ridicule. It stands as a sonic battle cry for the underdogs, urging them to cling to their wildest ambitions when the world demands surrender.

This fierce resilience is the very blueprint of Nine One One’s survival. Rising from the gritty margins of independent grassroots artistry to the dazzling heights of Mandopop superstardom, the trio lived every line of this struggle. By weaving their own journey into these pulsating beats, they offer more than just hope—they offer proof that today's "idiot's daydream" is tomorrow's reality.

✨ Lyrical Highlights

就算我是那一個癡人 我也要說著我的夢
jiùsuàn wǒ shì nà yīgè chīrén, wǒ yě yào shuōzhe wǒ de mèng
Even if I am that fool, I will still speak of my dream.

This line reclaims the derogatory idiom "癡人說夢" (a fool's wild talk) and transforms it into a badge of defiant pride. It beautifully captures the core theme of the song: the stubborn, heroic refusal to abandon one's aspirations despite societal skepticism. By embracing the identity of the "fool," the artist highlights the purity of a dreamer who values passion over pragmatic conformity.

把眼淚當作是汗水在流
bǎ yǎnlèi dāngzuò shì hànshuǐ zài liú
Treating tears as if they were sweat pouring down.

This metaphor brilliantly juxtaposes the vulnerability of sorrow with the active grit of hard labor, showing how pain is channeled into productive effort. It encapsulates the theme of resilience by redefining suffering not as a sign of defeat, but as the very fuel that drives progress. The poetic transformation of tears into sweat vividly illustrates the grit and unspoken sacrifices required to chase one's destiny.

Grammar Notes