Lyrics & Translation
Discover the beauty of Cape Verdean music with "Nu ta konbina" by Buguin Martins and Tony Fika! This catchy tune offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the Kriolu language while enjoying its infectious rhythm and romantic message . Let the song guide you through expressions of love and connection in a unique cultural setting .
You live in my heart
You asked for time, don't lie to me
You want to kill me with heartbreak
If I don't see you, if I don't have you near me
If I don't feel you, I'm not alive
If I don't hold you, if I don't hear your voice
If I don't feel you, I'm not alive
You have no idea how much I like you
You have no idea how much I want you
You have no idea how much I like you
You have no idea how much I want you
Beautiful, beautiful girl that I won for my life
Shine, my guiding star
My little girl, we get along well
If I don't see you, if I don't have you near me
If I don't feel you, I'm not alive
If I don't hold you, if I don't hear your voice
If I don't feel you, I'm not alive
You have no idea how much I like you
You have no idea how much I want you
You have no idea how much I like you
You have no idea how much I want you
Oh! girl, oh! my weakness
You are my treasure, you are my hope
Oh! girl, oh! my weakness
You are my alliance, you are my trust
Eeei
Eeei
Eeei
Eeei (girl)
Eeei (girl)
Eeei (girl)
Eeei (girl)
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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kétu /ˈkɛtu/ A2 |
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mora /ˈmɔɾɐ/ A2 |
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fronta /fɾɔ̃ˈta/ B1 |
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korason /kɔɾɐˈsɔ̃/ A2 |
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beja /ˈbeʒɐ/ B1 |
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perta /ˈpɛɾtɐ/ A2 |
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xinti /ˈʃĩti/ B1 |
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bibu /ˈbibu/ A2 |
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brasa /ˈbɾɐzɐ/ B1 |
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obi /ˈɔbi/ B1 |
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gosta /ˈɡɔstɐ/ A2 |
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kre /kɾe/ A2 |
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linda /ˈlindɐ/ A2 |
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brilia /bɾiˈliɐ/ B1 |
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stréla /ˈstɾɛlɐ/ A2 |
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konbina /kõˈbinɐ/ B1 |
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maskóti /mɐʃˈkɔti/ B2 |
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speransa /səˈɾɐ̃sɐ/ B1 |
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aliansa /ɐliˈɐ̃sɐ/ B2 |
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kunfiansa /kũfiˈɐ̃sɐ/ B2 |
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Do you remember what “kétu” or “mora” means in "Nu ta konbina"?
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Key Grammar Structures
-
Bu sabe dretu kmá mi é kétu
➔ Subject Pronoun + Verb in Present Tense
➔ The sentence uses 'Bu' as the subject pronoun, which is common in informal Creole. 'sabe' is the present tense of the verb 'to know'.
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Kmá bu ta mora na nha petu
➔ Auxiliary Verb 'ta' + Verb in Present Tense
➔ 'ta' is used here to form the continuous aspect or to emphasize the ongoing action of 'living' or 'residing'. It's a common marker in Creole for the present continuous.
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Bu kre mata-m di korason
➔ Verb in Present Tense + Object Pronoun
➔ 'kre' is the present tense of 'querer' (to want). The object pronoun '-m' (me) is attached to the verb, which is a common structure in many languages, including Portuguese and Creole.
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Si N ka beja-u, si N ka perta-u na mi
➔ Conditional Clause with 'Si' + Negation 'ka' + Verb
➔ This structure uses 'Si' (if) to introduce a conditional clause. 'ka' is the negation particle, and it precedes the verb. The hyphenated pronouns ('beja-u', 'perta-u') are object pronouns attached to the verb.
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Si N ka xinti-u, N ka ta bibu
➔ Conditional Clause + Negation 'ka' + Auxiliary 'ta' + Verb
➔ This is a continuation of the conditional structure. 'ka ta bibu' translates to 'I am not alive', using the negation 'ka' with the auxiliary 'ta' and the verb 'bibu' (alive).
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Bu ka ten nuson modi ki N gosta di bo
➔ Negation 'ka' + Verb + Possessive 'nuson' + Relative Pronoun 'ki'
➔ This line expresses 'You don't have an idea how much I like you'. 'nuson' signifies 'idea' or 'notion', and 'ki' introduces the subordinate clause specifying the extent of liking.
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Linda, minina linda ki N konkista pa nha vida
➔ Noun + Relative Pronoun 'ki' + Verb in Present Tense
➔ This line describes the girl. 'ki' connects the noun 'minina linda' (beautiful girl) to the action of conquering, 'N konkista' (I conquered), for his life.
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O! mina, oo! nha pontu fraku
➔ Interjection + Possessive Pronoun 'nha'
➔ 'O!' and 'oo!' are interjections expressing emotion. 'nha' is a possessive pronoun meaning 'my'. 'pontu fraku' means 'weak point'.
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Bo é nha maskóti, abo é nha speransa
➔ Subject Pronoun + Verb 'é' (is) + Possessive Pronoun 'nha'
➔ This sentence structure uses 'Bo' (you) as the subject, followed by 'é' (is/are) to link it to the predicate. 'nha' (my) modifies 'maskóti' (treasure/pet) and 'speransa' (hope).
