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J'ai couleur verte sur le passaporte I have a green stamp in my passport 00:14
J'crois pas qu'on soit fait pareil I don’t think we were made the same 00:15
Quand la dar' guettait le biff When my mom was watching for the dealer 00:16
J'n'avais que ma dalle c'était le guide I only had my hunger, it was my guide 00:18
J'fais de la peufra qui s'exporte, I make music that gets exported, 00:20
j'cours plus pour un salaire I’m not running for a salary anymore 00:21
Une main en visser 10, nachav faut pas qu'j'méternise One hand screwing things up, 10, I shouldn’t prolong this 00:22
J'voulais que le cash mais y'a de la fame dans le packaging I wanted the cash, but there’s prestige in the packaging 00:30
J'suis toujours le même mais en plus fort I’m still the same, but stronger 00:33
Ça ramène l'oseille ça te rend plus pauvre It brings in the money, it makes you poorer 00:35
Y'a toujours 2-3 bâtards mais normal c'est le makachi There are always 2-3 scoundrels, but that’s normal, it’s the game 00:37
Argent tu dépenses, sentiments tu coffres You spend money, you lock up feelings 00:40
J'ai ce dont tu manques, j'suis ton antidote I have what you lack, I’m your antidote 00:42
T'es jamais mal visser, même si j'ai l'coeur qui saigne You’re not doing so bad, even if my heart is bleeding 00:46
J'ai pas dit un mot mais tu sauras, certains silences ont de l'aura I haven’t said a word, but you’ll know, some silences have weight 00:48
2-3 kils y'en a qui dead, difficile de pas s'y perdre 2-3 kilos, some are dead, it’s hard not to get lost in it 00:52
Il a mis toute sa haine dans le bum-al He put all his hatred into the bump (drugs) 00:56
Là j'suis pas forcément dans le bon mais I’m not necessarily doing well, but 00:58
Gros c'est pas si mauvais Bro, it’s not that bad 01:00
La vie d'artiste en fait That’s the life of an artist 01:02
Si t'es pas si mauvais If you’re not doing so bad 01:04
Adios bâtiments verts Goodbye, green buildings 01:08
J'sais déjà c'qu'il faut faire I already know what I need to do 01:10
Faut voir la vie qu'on mène We need to look at the life we lead 01:12
Faut voir la vie qu'on mène We need to look at the life we lead 01:14
Pas si facile déjà kafini li fiya It’s not so easy, I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 01:15
Déjà kafini li fiya I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 01:20
Tfatel jemra bla matzidili kiya Turn the ember around without adding to it 01:23
Déjà kafini li fiya I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 01:28
Ca fait deja 9 piges w 7na kan tiro It’s already been 9 years and we’re still shooting (drugs) 01:32
Gha b'tam-tam binga ndiro Just with a drum, we’ll do it 01:35
Plusieurs villes plusieurs départements zerna b'mezzika w'mélo Several cities, several departments, we’re getting by with music and hustle 01:36
Hna kayrebbiwna mawatna nti3ou We’re growing up with our homeland, we’re getting used to it 01:40
Lwalida walid w c bon Mom, dad, and that’s good 01:42
J'suis pas ton poto wakha chetni f l'apéro I’m not your friend even if you offered me a drink 01:44
Y'a pas de sahbi y'a pas de frérot There are no buddies, no little brothers 01:46
Y'a pas de sahbi y'a pas de frérot There are no buddies, no little brothers 01:48
Machi nta li atgoulina ch'han dirou You’re not the one to tell us what we’re doing 01:50
Machi nta li tgoulina bch7al l'héro' You’re not the one to tell us how much the hero (drugs) costs 01:52
Machi nta li tgoulina bch7al nbi3oh You’re not the one to tell us how much we sell it for 01:54
Sauvatna visa, mouka w mes langues We saved for a visa, a place, and my languages 01:56
Koun ma rap koun rah kandi3o If I didn’t rap, I’d be getting by 01:58
Koun rah chaddine zan9a f lbayda nbi3o If we were still hustling in the white city, we’d be getting by 01:59
Ta sofitel kayfekkerni m3ak f oumsiate Your Sofitel (luxury hotel) reminds me of you on summer evenings 02:02
Bre-som vers la fin wakha bdit romancier Bre-som (a place) towards the end, even though I started to romanticize 02:10
Gros c'est pas si mauvais Bro, it’s not that bad 02:17
La vie d'artiste en fait That’s the life of an artist 02:19
Si t'es pas si mauvais If you’re not doing so bad 02:21
Adios bâtiments verts Goodbye, green buildings 02:24
J'sais déjà c'qu'il faut faire I already know what I need to do 02:26
Faut voir la vie qu'on mène We need to look at the life we lead 02:28
Faut voir la vie qu'on mène We need to look at the life we lead 02:30
Pas si facile déjà kafini li fiya It’s not so easy, I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 02:32
Déjà kafini li fiya I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 02:37
Tfatel jemra bla matzidili kiya Turn the ember around without adding to it 02:40
Déjà kafini li fiya I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me 02:45

KAFINI – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

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By
TIF, ELGRANDETOTO
Viewed
635,496
Language
French
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Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and cultural journey with "KAFINI" by TIF and ELGRANDETOTO. This song offers a unique opportunity to learn the nuances of Arabic dialects from Algeria and Morocco, woven into the global language of hip-hop. The lyrics, rich with expressions of struggle, resilience, and cultural pride, provide a special window into the hearts and minds of North African youth. Learning the language of "KAFINI" is not just about words, but about understanding a shared heritage and the powerful emotions that connect people across borders.

[English] I have a green stamp in my passport
I don’t think we were made the same
When my mom was watching for the dealer
I only had my hunger, it was my guide
I make music that gets exported,
I’m not running for a salary anymore
One hand screwing things up, 10, I shouldn’t prolong this
I wanted the cash, but there’s prestige in the packaging
I’m still the same, but stronger
It brings in the money, it makes you poorer
There are always 2-3 scoundrels, but that’s normal, it’s the game
You spend money, you lock up feelings
I have what you lack, I’m your antidote
You’re not doing so bad, even if my heart is bleeding
I haven’t said a word, but you’ll know, some silences have weight
2-3 kilos, some are dead, it’s hard not to get lost in it
He put all his hatred into the bump (drugs)
I’m not necessarily doing well, but
Bro, it’s not that bad
That’s the life of an artist
If you’re not doing so bad
Goodbye, green buildings
I already know what I need to do
We need to look at the life we lead
We need to look at the life we lead
It’s not so easy, I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me
I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me
Turn the ember around without adding to it
I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me
It’s already been 9 years and we’re still shooting (drugs)
Just with a drum, we’ll do it
Several cities, several departments, we’re getting by with music and hustle
We’re growing up with our homeland, we’re getting used to it
Mom, dad, and that’s good
I’m not your friend even if you offered me a drink
There are no buddies, no little brothers
There are no buddies, no little brothers
You’re not the one to tell us what we’re doing
You’re not the one to tell us how much the hero (drugs) costs
You’re not the one to tell us how much we sell it for
We saved for a visa, a place, and my languages
If I didn’t rap, I’d be getting by
If we were still hustling in the white city, we’d be getting by
Your Sofitel (luxury hotel) reminds me of you on summer evenings
Bre-som (a place) towards the end, even though I started to romanticize
Bro, it’s not that bad
That’s the life of an artist
If you’re not doing so bad
Goodbye, green buildings
I already know what I need to do
We need to look at the life we lead
We need to look at the life we lead
It’s not so easy, I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me
I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me
Turn the ember around without adding to it
I’ve already had enough with what’s inside me

Key Vocabulary

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Vocabulary Meanings

verte

/vɛʁt/

A1
  • adjective
  • - green

fait

/fɛ/

A1
  • verb
  • - made
  • verb
  • - done

guettait

/ɡɛtɛ/

B2
  • verb
  • - was watching

biff

/bif/

B1
  • noun
  • - money (slang)

dalle

/dal/

B1
  • noun
  • - hunger (slang)

guide

/ɡid/

A2
  • noun
  • - guide

peufra

/pœfʁa/

C1
  • noun
  • - music, sound (slang)

exporte

/ɛkspɔʁt/

B1
  • verb
  • - exports

cours

/kuʁ/

A1
  • verb
  • - run

salaire

/sɑlɛʁ/

B1
  • noun
  • - salary

visser

/vise/

B2
  • verb
  • - to screw (slang: to be well-off, established)

nachav

/naʃɑv/

C1
  • verb
  • - to make someone wait, to stall (slang, from Arabic)

m'éternise

/metɛʁniz/

B2
  • verb
  • - to eternalize myself, to make myself last

cash

/kaʃ/

A2
  • noun
  • - cash

fame

/fem/

A1
  • noun
  • - fame

packaging

/ˈpækədʒɪŋ/

B1
  • noun
  • - packaging

fort

/fɔʁ/

A1
  • adjective
  • - strong

ramène

/ʁamɛn/

B1
  • verb
  • - brings

oseille

/ɔzɛj/

B2
  • noun
  • - money (slang, literally 'sorrel')

pauvre

/pɔvʁ/

A2
  • adjective
  • - poor

bâtards

/batɑʁ/

B1
  • noun
  • - bastards (derogatory term)

normal

/nɔʁmal/

A1
  • adjective
  • - normal

makachi

/makatʃi/

C2
  • noun
  • - enemy, adversary (slang, potentially from Arabic)

dépenses

/depɑ̃s/

B1
  • verb
  • - spend

sentiments

/sɑ̃timɑ̃/

B1
  • noun
  • - feelings

coffres

/kɔfʁ/

B2
  • verb
  • - lock away, store (slang for 'keep safe')

manques

/mɑ̃k/

A2
  • verb
  • - lack

antidote

/ɑ̃tidɔt/

B2
  • noun
  • - antidote

visser

/vise/

B2
  • verb
  • - screwed (slang: in a bad situation, not well-off)

saigne

/sɛɲ/

B1
  • verb
  • - bleeds

aura

/oʁa/

B2
  • noun
  • - aura

kils

/kilo/

B1
  • noun
  • - kilos (kilograms, often referring to drugs)

dead

/dɛd/

A1
  • adjective
  • - dead

perdre

/pɛʁdʁ/

A2
  • verb
  • - to lose

haine

/ɛn/

B1
  • noun
  • - hate

bum-al

/bum.al/

C2
  • noun
  • - money (slang, from Arabic)

mauvais

/movɛ/

A1
  • adjective
  • - bad

artiste

/aʁtist/

A2
  • noun
  • - artist

mène

/mɛn/

B1
  • verb
  • - leads, conducts

facile

/fasil/

A2
  • adjective
  • - easy

kafini

/kafini/

C2
  • adjective
  • - enough, sufficient (slang, potentially from Arabic)

fiya

/fiya/

C2
  • noun
  • - fire (slang, potentially from Arabic)

Tfatel

/təfɛtɛl/

C2
  • verb
  • - you spread, you scatter (slang, potentially from Arabic)

jemra

/dʒɛmra/

C2
  • noun
  • - ember (slang, potentially from Arabic)

kiyà

/kiya/

C2
  • noun
  • - coal, char (slang, potentially from Arabic)

pig

/piʒ/

B1
  • noun
  • - year (slang, short for 'pige')

tiro

/tiʁo/

B2
  • verb
  • - shoot, aim (slang: to strive, to work hard)

tam-tam

/tɑ̃tɑ̃/

B2
  • noun
  • - drum (onomatopoeia)

binga

/biŋɡa/

C2
  • noun
  • - drug, ecstasy (slang, potentially from Arabic)

ndiro

/ndiʁo/

C2
  • verb
  • - we do, we make (slang, potentially from Arabic)

villes

/vil/

A2
  • noun
  • - cities

départements

/depaʁtəmɑ̃/

B1
  • noun
  • - departments

zerna

/zɛʁna/

C2
  • noun
  • - bagpipes (slang, potentially from Arabic)

mezzika

/mɛzzika/

C2
  • noun
  • - music (slang, potentially from Arabic)

melo

/mɛlo/

C2
  • noun
  • - melody (slang, potentially from Arabic)

kayrebbiwna

/kajʁebbiwna/

C2
  • verb
  • - they raise us, they nurture us (slang, potentially from Arabic)

mawatna

/mawatna/

C2
  • noun
  • - our death (slang, potentially from Arabic)

ntîi3ou

/ntiɛtu/

C2
  • verb
  • - we obey, we follow (slang, potentially from Arabic)

Lwalida

/lwalida/

C1
  • noun
  • - mother (Arabic term)

walid

/walid/

C1
  • noun
  • - father (Arabic term)

poto

/poto/

B2
  • noun
  • - mate, buddy (slang)

chetni

/ʃɛtni/

C2
  • verb
  • - saw me (slang, potentially from Arabic)

apéro

/apeʁo/

B1
  • noun
  • - aperitif, pre-dinner drink/snack

sahbi

/sahbi/

B2
  • noun
  • - my friend (Arabic term)

frérot

/fʁɛʁo/

B1
  • noun
  • - little brother, bro (affectionate term)

Machi

/matʃi/

C2
  • adverb
  • - not (slang, potentially from Arabic)

atgoulina

/atɡulina/

C2
  • verb
  • - you tell us (slang, potentially from Arabic)

ch'han

/ʃan/

C2
  • pronoun
  • - what (slang, potentially from Arabic)

dirou

/diʁu/

A1
  • verb
  • - do

bch7al

/bəʃħal/

C2
  • adverb
  • - how much (slang, potentially from Arabic)

héro'

/ero/

C1
  • noun
  • - heroin (slang, contraction)

nbi3oh

/nbiɛoh/

C2
  • verb
  • - we sell it (slang, potentially from Arabic)

Sauvatna

/sovɑtna/

C2
  • verb
  • - saved us (slang, potentially from Arabic)

visa

/viza/

A2
  • noun
  • - visa

mouka

/mouka/

C2
  • noun
  • - face (slang, potentially from Arabic)

langues

/lɑ̃ɡ/

A2
  • noun
  • - languages

rap

/ʁap/

B1
  • noun
  • - rap (music genre)

kandi3o

/kandiɛo/

C2
  • verb
  • - we perish, we get lost (slang, potentially from Arabic)

chaddine

/ʃadɛn/

C2
  • verb
  • - we hold, we catch (slang, potentially from Arabic)

zan9a

/zanqa/

C2
  • noun
  • - street, alley (slang, potentially from Arabic)

lbayda

/lbayda/

C2
  • noun
  • - the white (slang, possibly referring to cocaine or something else white)

nbi3o

/nbiɛo/

C2
  • verb
  • - we sell (slang, potentially from Arabic)

Sofitel

/sofitɛl/

B2
  • proper noun
  • - Sofitel (hotel chain)

fekkerni

/fɛkɛrni/

C2
  • verb
  • - reminds me (slang, potentially from Arabic)

oumsiate

/umsjate/

C2
  • noun
  • - memories (slang, potentially from Arabic)

Bre-som

/bʁɛsom/

C2
  • noun
  • - sleep (slang, potentially from Arabic)

vers

/vɛʁ/

A1
  • preposition
  • - towards

fin

/fɛ̃/

A1
  • noun
  • - end

romancier

/ʁɔmɑ̃sje/

B2
  • noun
  • - novelist

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Key Grammar Structures

  • J'ai couleur verte sur le passaporte

    ➔ Use of 'avoir' (to have) to express possession/characteristic.

    ➔ The sentence means 'I have a green color on my passport,' implying a foreign passport. The verb **'avoir'** is used to indicate possession of the characteristic 'green' in relation to the passport.

  • J'n'avais que ma dalle c'était le guide

    ➔ Use of 'n'…que' construction for emphasis (only).

    ➔ This translates to 'I only had my hunger as my guide.' The **'n'…que'** construction emphasizes that hunger was the *sole* motivating factor. It's a strong way to express limitation and prioritization.

  • J'suis toujours le même mais en plus fort

    ➔ Use of comparative adverb 'plus' (more) with an adjective.

    ➔ This means 'I am still the same, but stronger.' **'Plus fort'** is a comparative construction indicating an increase in strength. It shows a change in degree.

  • Argent tu dépenses, sentiments tu coffres

    ➔ Use of direct address and parallel structure (verb + object).

    ➔ This translates to 'Money you spend, feelings you lock away.' The sentence uses direct address (**'tu'**) and a parallel structure to create a stark contrast between how money and feelings are treated. The repetition of **'tu'** emphasizes the directness of the statement.

  • Y'a toujours 2-3 bâtards mais normal c'est le makachi

    ➔ Use of colloquial language ('bâtards', 'makachi') and 'y'a' as a contraction of 'il y a'.

    ➔ This means 'There are always 2-3 bastards, but that's normal, that's the game.' **'Y'a'** is a very common colloquial contraction of 'il y a' (there is/are). **'Makachi'** is slang for 'the game' or 'the hustle'.

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