Foste Embora – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Nininho Vaz Maia

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the emotional world of "Foste Embora" by Nininho Vaz Maia, a song that beautifully captures the pain of lost love and the yearning for redemption. By exploring its poignant lyrics, you'll gain insight into Portuguese expressions of regret and longing, all while experiencing Nininho Vaz Maia's unique blend of modern and traditional musical styles.

[English]

People say I ran away from you

That night I wasted just idling around

...

They say I did something I didn't do

What's going on?

You say it’s over now

That it was my fault

It's simple, I just want you here

Look, I promise you

...

That I am no longer the same person

And look, I swear I tried

But I hit rock bottom when you left

When you left

...

Don't tell me anything

My soul is hurt

Only I know how I feel

As my tears fall

Don't tell me anything

I don't want to talk about time anymore

And that everything will pass

...

You say it’s over now

That it was my fault

It's simple, I just want you here

Look, I promise you

...

That I am no longer the same person

And look, I swear I tried

But I hit rock bottom when you left

...

Hey-hey-hey

...

I promise

I swear, I swear I tried

...

Look

...

[Portuguese]

Dizem por aí que eu fugi de ti

Naquela noite boa que me passei à toa

Falam por aí algo que eu não fiz

O que se passa?

Dizes que já não dá

Que foi culpa minha

É simples, quero ter-te aqui

Olha, prometo para ti

Que já não sou aquela pessoa

E olha, eu juro que tentei

Mas fui ao fundo quando foste embora

Quando foste

Que ninguém me diga nada

Minh'alma está magoada

Só eu sei o que sinto

Ao cair minhas lágrimas

Que ninguém me diga nada

Já não quero falar de tempo

E que tudo passará

Dizes que já não dá

Que foi culpa minha

É simples, quero ter-te aqui

Olha, prometo para ti

Que já não sou aquela pessoa

E olha, eu juro que tentei

Mas fui ao fundo quando foste embora

Ê-he-êi

Eu prometo

Juro, juro que tentei

Olha

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fugi /fuˈʒi/ B1	verb - to escape or run away
noite /ˈnɔitʃi/ A2	noun - night
culpa /ˈkuɫpɐ/ B1	noun - guilt or blame
pessoa /peˈsoɐ/ A1	noun - person
alma /ˈaw.mɐ/ B2	noun - soul
lágrimas /ˈlaɡɾimɐs/ B1	noun - tears
prometo /pɾoˈmetu/ A2	verb - to promise
tentei /tẽˈtɨj/ B1	verb - I tried
fundo /ˈfũdu/ B2	noun - bottom or depth
diga /ˈdʒiɡɐ/ A2	verb - to say or tell
quero /ˈkɛɾu/ A1	verb - I want
simples /ˈsĩplɨs/ A2	adjective - simple
tempo /ˈtẽpu/ A2	noun - time
passará /pasaˈɾa/ B1	verb - will pass

Key Grammar Structures

• Que eu não sou aquela pessoa

  ➔ Use of the present subjunctive mood with 'que' and the present indicative to express a negation or desire.

  ➔ The phrase 'que eu não sou' combines the conjunction 'que' with the present indicative of 'ser' (to be) to express a negation or contrast.

• Fui ao fundo

  ➔ Use of the preterite tense of 'ir' (fui) combined with 'ao' (a + o) to indicate going somewhere, in this case, metaphorically 'to the bottom' or 'deep despair'.

  ➔ The phrase 'fui ao fundo' literally means 'I went to the bottom', used figuratively to indicate reaching a low point or deep despair.

• Dizes que já não dá

  ➔ Use of the present indicative 'dizes' (you say) with the conjunction 'que' to introduce indirect speech and express a statement or opinion.

  ➔ The verb 'dizes' is the second person singular form of 'dizer' (to say), and is used here to report what someone else says.

• Prometo para ti

  ➔ Use of the present indicative 'prometo' (I promise) with the preposition 'para' to indicate the recipient of the promise.

  ➔ 'Prometo' is the first person singular of 'prometer' (to promise), and 'para ti' indicates that the promise is made to 'you' (the listener).

• Já não sou aquela pessoa

  ➔ Use of the present indicative of 'ser' (sou) with 'já não' to express a change in state or identity, indicating the person no longer is the same.

  ➔ ‘Já não sou’ means ‘I am no longer,’ indicating a change from a previous state of being.

• E olha, eu juro que tentei

  ➔ Use of the verb 'jurar' (to swear) in the present tense 'juro' to emphasize the speaker's sincerity, combined with 'que' and 'tentei' (past tense of 'tentar') to express effort.

  ➔ ‘Juro’ is the first person singular of 'jurar' (to swear), emphasizing the speaker's sincerity, and 'tentei' is the past tense of 'tentar' (to try).