Lyrics & Translation
Discover "J'attendrai" by Rina Ketty, a timeless French song that beautifully expresses themes of enduring love and hope. Through its evocative lyrics and melody, you can immerse yourself in the French language and understand the power of emotional expression in music, making it a unique way to connect with French culture.
Day and night, I will always wait
For your return
I will wait
Because the bird that flies away
Goes in search of forgetfulness in its nest
Time passes quickly
Beating sadly
Within my heavy heart
And yet, I will wait for your return
Flowers fade, the fire dies out
Shadows creep into the garden
The clock hums tiredly
I believe I hear your footsteps
The wind carries distant sounds
Waiting at my door, I listen in vain
Alas, nothing more, nothing comes anymore
I will wait
Day and night, I will always wait
For your return
I will wait
Because the bird that flies away
Goes in search of forgetfulness in its nest
Time passes quickly
Beating sadly
Within my heavy heart
And yet, I will wait for your return
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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attendre /a.tɑ̃.dʁ/ A2 |
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|
jour /ʒuʁ/ A1 |
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nuit /nɥi/ A1 |
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retour /ʁə.tuʁ/ A2 |
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|
oiseau /wazo/ A2 |
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|
oubli /ubli/ B1 |
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temps /tɑ̃/ A1 |
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cœur /kœʁ/ B1 |
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fleurs /flœʁ/ A2 |
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ombre /ɔ̃bʁ/ B1 |
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jardin /ʒaʁ.dɛ̃/ A2 |
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vent /vɑ̃/ A2 |
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bruits /bʁɥi/ B1 |
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écouter /ekute/ A2 |
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vain /vɛ̃/ B2 |
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What does “attendre” mean in the song "J'attendrai"?
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Key Grammar Structures
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J'attendrai toujours
➔ Future tense with 'aller' to express intention.
➔ The phrase "J'attendrai" means "I will wait," indicating a future action.
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Le temps passe et court
➔ Present tense to describe ongoing actions.
➔ The phrase "Le temps passe et court" means "Time passes and runs," indicating the continuous flow of time.
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Hélas, plus rien ne vient
➔ Use of 'ne... rien' for negation.
➔ The phrase "plus rien ne vient" means "nothing comes anymore," indicating a complete absence.
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L'horloge tisse des sons très las
➔ Use of present tense to describe a state.
➔ The phrase "L'horloge tisse des sons très las" means "The clock weaves very tired sounds," indicating a monotonous state.
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L'ombre se glisse dans le jardin
➔ Reflexive verbs to indicate actions performed on oneself.
➔ The phrase "L'ombre se glisse" means "The shadow slips," indicating a subtle movement.
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Car l'oiseau qui s'enfuit
➔ Relative clauses to provide additional information.
➔ The phrase "l'oiseau qui s'enfuit" means "the bird that flees," providing more detail about the subject.
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Dans mon cœur si lourd
➔ Adjectives to describe feelings.
➔ The phrase "mon cœur si lourd" means "my heart so heavy," expressing deep emotion.
