Gabi und Klaus – Bilingual Lyrics German/English

• By: Die Prinzen
• Album: Das Leben ist grausam

Lyrics & Translation

Learning German can be a fun and rewarding experience, and what better way to start than with a classic pop song? "Gabi und Klaus" by Die Prinzen is a perfect choice. Its clear and repetitive lyrics tell a simple, relatable story of a breakup, making it easy to follow along and pick up new vocabulary. The song's catchy melody and a cappella style make it memorable, and the humorous twist at the end will surely bring a smile to your face. Dive into this German pop hit and discover how music can make language learning a joy.

[English]

Gabi longs for

Longing for Klaus

But Klaus just coolly says

It's over

Gabi has to cry

Her heart feels so heavy

But Klaus just coolly says

I don't want you anymore

...

Gabi is lonely

Terribly alone

She thinks of Klaus and tells herself

He is so mean

Wants to forget him

And to make that happen

She runs through the rain

And sings this song

Life is cruel

And terribly mean

Life is cruel

And Klaus is a pig

Life is cruel

And terribly mean

Life is cruel

And Klaus is a pig

...

But suddenly Klaus realizes

How he loves Gabi

He goes to her

Hopes that she forgives him

He stands before her

Turns red with embarrassment

But she just coolly says go away

How stupid you are, idiot

...

Klaus is now lonely

Terribly alone

He thinks of Gabi and tells himself

She is so mean

Wants to forget her

And to make that happen

He runs through the rain

And sings this song

Life is cruel

And terribly mean

Life is cruel

And Gabi is a pig

Life is cruel

And terribly mean

Life is cruel

And Gabi is a pig

...

[German]

Gabi hat Sehnsucht

Sehnsucht nach Klaus

Doch Klaus sagt kühl nur

Es ist aus

Gabi muß weinen

Ihr Herz wird so schwer

Doch Klaus sagt kühl nur

Ich will dich nicht mehr

Gabi ist einsam

Schrecklich allein

Sie denkt an Klaus und sagt sich

Er ist so gemein

Will ihn vergessen

Und damit das geschieht

Rennt sie durch den Regen

Und singt dieses Lied

Das Leben ist grausam

Und schrecklich gemein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und Klaus ist ein Schwein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und schrecklich gemein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und Klaus ist ein Schwein

Doch plötzlich merkt Klaus

Wie er Gabi liebt

Er geht zu ihr

Hofft daß sie ihm vergibt

Er steht vor ihr

Wird vor Verlegenheit rot

Doch sie sagt kühl nur hau ab

How at du Idiot

Klaus ist jetzt einsam

Schrecklich allein

Er denkt an Gabi und sagt sich

Sie ist so gemein

Will sie vergessen

Und damit das geschieht

Rennt er durch den Regen

Und singt dieses Lied

Das Leben ist grausam

Und schrecklich gemein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und Gabi ein Schwein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und schrecklich gemein

Das Leben ist grausam

Und Gabi ein Schwein

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Sehnsucht /ˈzeːnˌzʊxt/ B2	noun - longing, yearning
sagen /ˈzaːɡən/ A1	verb - to say
weinen /ˈvaɪ̯nən/ A2	verb - to cry
Herz /hɛʁt͡s/ A1	noun - heart
einsam /ˈaɪ̯nzaːm/ B1	adjective - lonely
denken /ˈdɛŋkən/ A2	verb - to think
vergessen /fɛɐ̯ˈɡɛsn̩/ B1	verb - to forget
rennen /ˈʁɛnən/ A2	verb - to run
Regen /ˈʁeːɡən/ A1	noun - rain
singen /ˈzɪŋən/ A1	verb - to sing
Leben /ˈleːbn̩/ A1	noun - life
grausam /ˈɡʁaʊ̯zaːm/ B2	adjective - cruel, gruesome
schrecklich /ˈʃʁɛklɪç/ B1	adjective - terrible, awful
lieben /ˈliːbn̩/ A1	verb - to love
hoffen /ˈhɔfn̩/ A2	verb - to hope
vergeben /fɛɐ̯ˈɡeːbn̩/ B2	verb - to forgive
Verlegenheit /fɛɐ̯ˈleːɡənhaɪ̯t/ C1	noun - embarrassment
rot /ʁoːt/ A1	adjective - red
gemein /ɡəˈmaɪ̯n/ B1	adjective - mean, nasty
Schwein /ʃvaɪ̯n/ B1	noun - pig; (insult) swine, beast

Key Grammar Structures

• Gabi hat Sehnsucht

  ➔ Subject + Verb + Object (Akkusativ)

  ➔ This is a basic sentence structure. "Gabi" is the subject, "hat" is the verb (to have), and "Sehnsucht" (longing) is the direct object in the Akkusativ case.

• Es ist aus

  ➔ Present tense of the verb "sein" (to be) + adjective

  ➔ "Es ist" (It is) is the present tense form of "sein", and "aus" means finished, over. So, the phrase means "It is over."

• Gabi muß weinen

  ➔ Modal verb "müssen" (must) + infinitive

  ➔ "Müssen" indicates obligation or necessity. Here it translates to "Gabi must cry" or "Gabi has to cry". The main verb "weinen" is in the infinitive form.

• Ihr Herz wird so schwer

  ➔ Passive Voice (werden + Partizip II)

  ➔ While technically, it uses "werden," it's not exactly passive in the usual English sense. "Wird schwer" describes a state of becoming heavy. "So" emphasizes the degree. "Her heart becomes so heavy."

• Er ist so gemein

  ➔ Present tense of "sein" (to be) + adjective

  ➔ Simple statement of quality using the verb "sein". "Er ist" means "He is", and "gemein" means mean/nasty. "So" acts as an intensifier (so mean).

• Und damit das geschieht

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Konjunktiv II) implied

  ➔ "Damit" introduces a purpose clause. While the verb "geschieht" is in the indicative, the entire construction implies a hypothetical action; she wants something to happen. A more formal version could use the Konjunktiv.

• Wie er Gabi liebt

  ➔ Indirect Question (Question word + Subject + Object + Verb)

  ➔ "Wie" is a question word here (how). This clause acts as a noun, a dependent clause expressing the manner in which Klaus loves Gabi. Note the verb at the end.

• Hofft daß sie ihm vergibt

  ➔ "dass"-clause (Subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause)

  ➔ "Hofft, dass..." (hopes that...). The "dass" clause introduces a dependent clause expressing what Klaus hopes for. The verb "vergibt" is at the end, a characteristic of German dependent clauses.