Grass Ain't Greener – English Lyrics

• By: Chris Brown
• Album: Royalty

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Chris Brown's "Grass Ain't Greener" to explore common English idioms and expressions related to relationships and regret. The song's clear narrative about a past relationship and the realization that 'the grass isn't greener' offers accessible vocabulary and relatable emotional themes, making it a compelling piece for language learners to connect with contemporary R&B lyrics.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
done /dʌn/ A1	adjective - finished or completed
moving /ˈmuːvɪŋ/ A1	verb - changing position or place
won /wʌn/ A1	verb - past tense of win; to be successful in a competition or conflict
sick /sɪk/ A2	adjective - ill; disgusted or tired of something
leaving /ˈliːvɪŋ/ A2	verb - departing from a place
messages /ˈmɛsɪdʒɪz/ A2	noun - a spoken or written communication
lover /ˈlʌvər/ B1	noun - a person with whom one is having a love affair
there /ðɛr/ A1	adverb - in, at, or to that place or position
cared /kɛrd/ A2	verb - past tense of care; to feel concern or interest
fair /fɛər/ B1	adjective - treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination; just or appropriate
break /breɪk/ A2	verb - to shatter or fall into pieces verb - to interrupt a process or activity
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally deranged; extremely enthusiastic or passionate
player /ˈpleɪər/ B1	noun - a person who plays a game or sport; a person who behaves insincerely in relationships
grass /ɡræs/ A1	noun - a common green plant that covers the ground
greener /ˈɡriːnər/ A2	adjective - comparative of green; having the color of grass
seems /siːmz/ A2	verb - appears to be
honest /ˈɒnɪst/ B1	adjective - free of deceit; truthful and sincere
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
treat /triːt/ B1	verb - to behave towards or deal with in a certain way
back /bæk/ A1	adverb - towards the rear or starting point noun - the rear surface of the human body
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to have a desire to possess or do something
gon /ɡɒn/ B2	verb (colloquial for 'going to') - going to; used to indicate future action
vibe /vaɪb/ B2	verb - to relax and enjoy oneself
gone /ɡɒn/ A2	adjective - departed; no longer present
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - to cease an action or movement
need /niːd/ A1	verb - to require something because it is essential or very important
watchin /ˈwɒtʃɪn/ A2	verb (colloquial for 'watching') - to look at or observe for a period of time
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the part of the arm beyond the wrist
pocket /ˈpɒkɪt/ B1	noun - a small bag sewn into or attached to a piece of clothing
credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ B1	noun - the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future; a unit of study
wallet /ˈwɒlɪt/ B1	noun - a small flat case for carrying folded money and credit cards
drinkin /ˈdrɪŋkɪn/ A2	verb (colloquial for 'drinking') - to consume a liquid
liquor /ˈlɪkər/ B1	noun - an alcoholic drink
celebratin /ˈsɛlɪbreɪtɪn/ B2	verb (colloquial for 'celebrating') - to acknowledge or commemorate a significant event or occasion
calculatin /ˈkælkjʊleɪtɪn/ B2	verb (colloquial for 'calculating') - to determine or reckon by mathematical methods; to plan or think about something
funds /fʌndz/ B1	noun - money, especially in large amounts
tryna /ˈtraɪnə/ C1	verb (slang for 'trying to') - attempting to do something
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - to grasp, hold, or carry
condom /ˈkɒndəm/ B2	noun - a sheath worn over the penis during sexual intercourse
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to have a desire to possess or do something
kindness /ˈkaɪnˈnəs/ B1	noun - the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
weakness /ˈwiːknəs/ B1	noun - the state or quality of being weak; a fault or failure
keeping /ˈkiːpɪŋ/ A2	verb - to retain possession of; to continue to have or hold
forté /ˈfɔːrteɪ/ C1	noun - a thing at which someone excels

Key Grammar Structures

• You ain't the girl that you used to be

  ➔ Contraction ('ain't')

  ➔ 'Ain't' is a non-standard contraction for 'am not,' 'is not,' 'are not,' 'has not,' or 'have not.' In this context, it stands for 'aren't.'

• Looks like you've won, looks like you've won

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense ('have won')

  ➔ Used to describe an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past, but has relevance to the present. Here, it implies the outcome of a situation is now clear.

• Girl, you had somebody that really cared

  ➔ Past Simple Tense ('had')

  ➔ Used to talk about a completed action in the past. It emphasizes that she previously had someone who cared, implying that situation has changed.

• How you fuck it up, girl, it's not fair

  ➔ Exclamatory Sentence (with informal verb)

  ➔ Expresses strong emotion or surprise. The use of 'fuck it up' is a colloquial and strong way to express frustration about a mistake or a ruined situation.

• That grass ain't greener on the other side

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression ('grass ain't greener')

  ➔ This is a common idiom meaning that other people's situations or possessions always seem better than your own, even if they are not. Here, it's used to suggest the person's new situation isn't actually better.

• No one's honest about what they feel

  ➔ Possessive Apostrophe ('no one's')

  ➔ Indicates possession or a shortened form of a verb. Here, 'no one's' is a contraction of 'no one is.'

• Take a hoe and try to treat her well

  ➔ Imperative Mood ('Take', 'treat')

  ➔ Used to give commands or instructions. The line advises on a course of action, suggesting a contrast to how people are currently behaving.

• My momma said bitches be watchin' you

  ➔ Informal Usage ('be watchin')

  ➔ The use of 'be' before a verb ending in '-ing' (e.g., 'be watchin') is a colloquialism often found in some dialects of English, including African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It can imply a continuous or habitual action.

• She'll be back up at the club again

  ➔ Future Simple Tense ('will be')

  ➔ Used to express a future event or prediction. It indicates a certainty that she will return to the club, likely in pursuit of a similar lifestyle.