AKB48 – Mittsu no namida. Lyrics Meaning: The Third Tear You Never Knew You Had

Why do we only ever talk about happy or sad tears? AKB48’s song “Mittsu no namida” dives into a really cool idea. It suggests there’s a third, secret kind of tear that’s all about moving forward.

    The Story of “Mittsu no namida” by AKB48

    This song isn’t just a tune; it’s a little story about strength. It walks us through how we handle our feelings and our future.

    More Than Just Happy and Sad

    Right from the start, the song brings up the two types of tears we all know. You’ve got your tears of sadness when things go wrong. And you’ve got your tears of joy when something amazing happens. It’s a familiar feeling, right? The song sets a comforting scene, mentioning someone whose smile is like a warm sunbeam.

    Introducing the Mysterious Third Tear

    But then, AKB48 throws a curveball. The lyrics introduce a third tear. This one is different. It’s not a reaction to something that happened. It’s a choice. It’s the tear you cry when you decide to change. The lyrics literally count them out for us.

    Namida wa mittsu aru
    There are three kinds of tears
    Hoho ni ochiru shizuku
    The drops that fall on your cheeks
    Kanashii namida
    Sad tears
    Ureshii namida
    Happy tears
    Sore igai ni…
    Besides those…

    This “other one” is the key to the whole song. It’s not about being happy or sad; it’s about being determined.

    Wiping the Slate Clean

    So what does this third tear actually do? It helps you let go. It’s the moment you decide to stop dwelling on regrets and start looking ahead. The song paints a picture of someone making a quiet promise to themselves.

    Mou hitotsu ne
    There’s one more, you see
    Kako wa chara ni shite
    Wiping the past clean
    Mirai o junbi suru yo
    I’ll prepare for the future
    Atarashii tsugi no namida
    A new, next tear

    It’s like a reset button. A personal moment where you say, “Okay, that’s enough. Time for what’s next.”

    What “Mittsu no namida” Is Really About

    The core narrative of this song is about personal power. It tells us that we have more choices than just reacting to life with happiness or sadness. We have a third option: resolve. We can choose to move forward, to stop waiting for things to get better, and to start preparing for our own future. This third tear is invisible, a silent decision made inside your heart.

    AKB48’s Empowering Message

    The big takeaway from “Mittsu no namida” is incredibly positive. You don’t have to be stuck. When you feel helpless or sad, you can find strength from within. This song is a reminder that your determination is a real force. It might not be as loud as sobbing or as bright as a happy smile, but it’s just as powerful. It’s your secret weapon for a better tomorrow.

    Kesshin wa mienai namida
    Determination is an invisible tear

    That one line says it all. Your decision to keep going is a kind of emotional release, just like crying.

    What Do You Think?

    I find the idea of a “tear of determination” really beautiful. It’s a quiet, personal kind of strength. What’s your take on it? Does this concept of a third tear resonate with you? I’d love to hear how you interpret the song!

    Lyrics: "Mittsu no namida" by AKB48


    AKB48 – Mittsu no namida [Lyrics KANJI]


    穏やかな
    その微笑みには
    陽射しのような
    ぬくもりがある
    何となく
    落ち込んだ時に
    あなたを見ると
    ほっとするんだ

    偶然の出来事
    後悔してても
    意味なんかない
    大事なこととは
    これから

    涙は3つある
    頬に落ちる雫
    悲しい涙
    嬉しい涙
    それ以外に…
    涙は3つある
    人は誰もみんな
    悲しい涙
    嬉しい涙

    もうひとつね
    過去はチャラにして
    未来を準備するよ
    新しい 次の涙

    その痛み
    言葉にしても
    柔らぐことは
    きっとないから
    ふしあわせ
    感じた時は
    じたばたせずに
    じっと待てばいい

    なぐさめはいらない
    背中を向けても
    あなたがいれば
    希望が湧くんだ
    これから

    未来は3つある
    そうさ どんな時も…
    前へ進む
    立ち止まるか
    それ以外に…
    未来は3つある
    誰も選べるんだ
    前へ進む

    立ち止まるか
    もうひとつね
    そっと 微笑めば
    なぜかキラキラしてる
    決心は見えない涙

    はらはらと溢れる
    思いのすべては
    本当のことなんだ
    始めてみようか
    これから

    涙は3つある
    頬に落ちる雫
    悲しい涙
    嬉しい涙
    それ以外に…
    涙は3つある
    人は誰もみんな
    悲しい涙
    嬉しい涙
    もうひとつね
    過去はチャラにして
    未来を準備するよ
    新しい 次の涙

    AKB48 – Mittsu no namida [Lyrics ROMAJI]


    Odayaka na
    Sono hohoemi ni wa
    Hizashi no you na
    Nukumori ga aru
    Nantnaku
    Ochikonda toki ni
    Anata o miru to
    Hotto suru n da

    Guuzen no dekigoto
    Koukai shitetemo
    Imi nanka nai
    Daiji na koto to wa
    Kore kara

    Namida wa mittsu aru
    Hoho ni ochiru shizuku
    Kanashii namida
    Ureshii namida
    Sore igai ni…
    Namida wa mittsu aru
    Hito wa dare mo minna
    Kanashii namida
    Ureshii namida

    Mou hitotsu ne
    Kako wa chara ni shite
    Mirai o junbi suru yo
    Atarashii tsugi no namida

    Sono itami
    Kotoba ni shite mo
    Yawaragu koto wa
    Kitto nai kara
    Fushiawase
    Kanjita toki wa
    Jitabata sezu ni
    Jitto mateba ii

    Nagusame wa iranai
    Senaka o mukete mo
    Anata ga ireba
    Kibou ga waku n da
    Kore kara

    Mirai wa mittsu aru
    Sou sa donna toki mo…
    Mae e susumu
    Tachidomaru ka
    Sore igai ni…
    Mirai wa mittsu aru
    Dare mo eraberu n da
    Mae e susumu

    Tachidomaru ka
    Mou hitotsu ne
    Sotto hohoemeba
    Nazeka kirakira shiteru
    Kesshin wa mienai namida

    Harahara to afureru
    Omoi no subete wa
    Hontou no koto nanda
    Hajimete miyou ka
    Kore kara

    Namida wa mittsu aru
    Hoho ni ochiru shizuku
    Kanashii namida
    Ureshii namida
    Sore igai ni…
    Namida wa mittsu aru
    Hito wa dare mo minna
    Kanashii namida
    Ureshii namida
    Mou hitotsu ne
    Kako wa chara ni shite
    Mirai o junbi suru yo
    Atarashii tsugi no namida

    AKB48 – Mittsu no namida [English translation]


    Your gentle smile,
    it holds a warmth
    just like the sunshine.
    Somehow, when I’m feeling down,
    seeing you
    just makes me feel so relieved.

    Accidental events,
    even if you regret them,
    they don’t really mean anything.
    What’s truly important
    is what comes next.

    There are three kinds of tears.
    The drops that fall on your cheeks:
    sad tears,
    happy tears.
    And besides those…
    There are three kinds of tears.
    Everyone, every single person, has
    sad tears
    and happy tears.

    And here’s one more thing!
    Let’s just clear the slate on the past,
    and get ready for the future!
    A new, next tear.

    That pain you feel,
    even if you put it into words,
    it probably won’t soften,
    I’m sure of it.
    So when you feel unhappy,
    when you feel unlucky,
    instead of flailing around,
    it’s best to just wait patiently.

    I don’t need comforting.
    Even if I turn my back,
    if you’re there,
    hope begins to spring forth!
    From now on.

    There are three kinds of futures.
    That’s right, no matter the time…
    Moving forward,
    or stopping in your tracks.
    And besides those…
    There are three kinds of futures.
    Everyone can choose:
    moving forward,

    or stopping in your tracks.
    And here’s one more thing!
    If you smile gently,
    for some reason, it sparkles.
    That decision is an invisible tear.

    All these overflowing feelings,
    everything that you feel,
    they are truly real.
    Shall we give it a start?
    From now on.

    There are three kinds of tears.
    The drops that fall on your cheeks:
    sad tears,
    happy tears.
    And besides those…
    There are three kinds of tears.
    Everyone, every single person, has
    sad tears
    and happy tears.
    And here’s one more thing!
    Let’s just clear the slate on the past,
    and get ready for the future!
    A new, next tear.

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