Lyrics & Translation
Discover the heartwarming story behind Gilbert O'Sullivan's classic hit, "Clair." Explore the tender emotions and real-life inspiration that make this song a timeless favorite. Delve into the lyrics and uncover the simple yet profound message of love and appreciation for a special child, offering a glimpse into the art of songwriting and storytelling.
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meanings |
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Clair /klɛʁ/ A1 |
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Baiser /bɛze/ C1 |
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Rap /ʁap/ A2 |
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Street /stʁit/ B1 |
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Hiver /ivɛʁ/ A1 |
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Drastiques /dʁastik/ B2 |
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Militaire /militɛʁ/ B1 |
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Taureau /toʁo/ B2 |
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Rouge /ʁuʒ/ B1 |
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Guérilla /ɡeʁija/ B2 |
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Cachette /kaʃɛt/ B1 |
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Chaîne /ʃɛn/ B1 |
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Exemplaires /ɛɡzɑ̃plɛʁ/ B1 |
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Menaces /mənas/ B1 |
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Mélange /melɑ̃ʒ/ B1 |
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Violence /vjɔlɑ̃s/ B1 |
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Rue /ʁy/ B1 |
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Émeutes /emøt/ B2 |
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Censurer /sɑ̃syʁe/ B2 |
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Khabta /kabta/ C2 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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Il va faire combien d'tours pour être considéré
➔ Futur Proche (Near Future) + Passive Infinitive
➔ The 'futur proche' ('"va faire"') is formed with 'aller' (to go) in the present tense + infinitive, expressing an action about to happen. The passive infinitive ('"être considéré"') is formed with 'être' (to be) + past participle, indicating that the subject undergoes the action.
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J'étais une khabta de la Jet-Set, comme Kardja Massimo
➔ Imparfait (Imperfect Tense) for Description of Past State
➔ The 'imparfait' ('"J'étais"') is used here to describe a continuous state, habit, or characteristic in the past, rather than a single completed action.
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Ça payait ta dotte avec les hibas du casino
➔ Impersonal 'Ça' (informal 'On')
➔ In informal French, '"Ça"' is often used as a substitute for 'il' (it) or 'on' (one, we, they), referring to a general, unspecified subject or situation. Here, it implies 'people in general' or 'the situation'.
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Ça t'envoie l'oreille de ta tante par colis-colissimo
➔ Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns (Combined)
➔ The verb '"t'envoie"' combines an indirect object pronoun 'te' (to you, apostrophized to 't'' before a vowel) and a direct object pronoun (implied 'la' for 'l'oreille'). This complex pronoun order is typical for B2+ level.
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S'ils ouvrent trop leur cul, je prends des mesures drastiques
➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1: Si + Présent, Présent/Futur Simple)
➔ This sentence uses a Type 1 conditional structure: '"Si"' (if) + present tense ('"ouvrent"') in the 'si' clause, followed by a present tense ('"prends"') or future simple in the main clause. It expresses a real or very probable condition and its consequence.
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Y'a que pour la Ouma que je peux devenir militaire
➔ Restrictive/Emphatic Construction (Il n'y a que... que...)
➔ The construction '"Y'a que... que..."' (familiar for 'Il n'y a que... que...') is used to emphasize or restrict, meaning 'only' or 'nothing but'. Here, it highlights that the Ouma is the *only* reason.
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Pourquoi je vais te parler bien ? Tu me fais l'Américaine
➔ Idiomatic Expression 'Faire l'...
➔ The expression '"faire l'Américaine"' (literally 'to do the American') is an idiom meaning 'to act like an American' or 'to put on American airs', implying a certain behavior or attitude.
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Si je la cache, je la re-barbe pas, je la rachète
➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1) + Prefix 'Re-' for Repetition
➔ This sentence combines a Type 1 conditional ('"Si je la cache"') with the prefix '"re-"' on 're-barbe' and 'rachète'. The prefix 're-' indicates repetition of an action ('to shave again', 'to buy again').
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Je vous baise comme ça, c'est clair
➔ Demonstrative Pronoun 'Ça' + Common Affirmative Expression
➔ '"Ça"' (that/this) acts as a demonstrative pronoun referring to the previously mentioned action. '"C'est clair"' is a common phrase meaning 'it's clear' or 'it's obvious', used to state something unequivocally.
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On a bien reçu des menaces
➔ Passé Composé + Adverb 'Bien' as Intensifier
➔ The 'passé composé' ('"On a reçu"') describes a completed action in the past. The adverb '"bien"' here does not mean 'well' but acts as an intensifier, similar to 'really' or 'indeed', emphasizing the truth or certainty of the statement.
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La violence ça s'apprend ça s'oublie jamais ça bâtard c'est comme faire du vélo
➔ Reflexive Verbs with Impersonal 'Ça' + Comparative 'C'est comme'
➔ This line shows '"ça"' acting as an informal subject for reflexive verbs ('"s'apprend"', '"s'oublie"'). '"S'apprendre"' means 'to be learned' and '"s'oublier"' means 'to be forgotten'. The phrase '"c'est comme faire du vélo"' is a common comparison meaning 'it's like riding a bike', implying something once learned is never forgotten.
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