Manchild – English Lyrics

• By: Lola Young, Sabrina Carpenter

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the clever and biting lyrics of “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, a pop song that blends disco, synth, and country elements to critique male immaturity in relationships. Discover how Carpenter uses wit and catchy hooks to deliver a powerful message in this chart-topping hit.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
manchild /ˈmæn.tʃaɪld/ C1	noun - a grown man who behaves immaturely, like a child
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or strong emotional attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone
heartbreak /ˈhɑːrt.breɪk/ B2	noun - intense emotional pain or sorrow, especially caused by love
grow /ɡroʊ/ A2	verb - to increase in size, develop or mature
selfish /ˈsɛl.fɪʃ/ B1	adjective - concerned only with one's own interests, often at the expense of others
broken /ˈbroʊ.kən/ B1	adjective - damaged or not whole; also used for feelings that are hurt
tears /tɪərz/ A2	noun - drops of salty liquid that come from the eyes when one cries
fear /fɪr/ A2	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something is dangerous or frightening verb - to be afraid of something
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the muscular organ that pumps blood; also the centre of emotion
lie /laɪ/ A2	verb - to say something that is not true; to be in a horizontal position noun - a false statement
lullaby /ˈlʌl.ə.baɪ/ B2	noun - a soothing song sung to put a child to sleep
silence /ˈsaɪ.ləns/ B1	noun - the complete absence of sound
echo /ˈek.oʊ/ B2	noun - a repeated sound caused by the reflection of sound waves
shadows /ˈʃæd.oʊz/ B2	noun - dark shapes produced by an object blocking light
redemption /rɪˈdɛm.pʃən/ C1	noun - the act of being saved from sin, error or bad circumstances; a release
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to produce tears from the eyes, usually as a response to emotion

Key Grammar Structures

• I can't keep pretending that everything's okay.

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' + not to express inability

  ➔ The modal verb "can't" indicates that the speaker is unable to keep pretending.

• I've been running from the truth for far too long.

  ➔ Present perfect continuous 'have been' + gerund for ongoing action

  ➔ The phrase "I've been running" uses the present perfect continuous to indicate that the running started in the past and continues up to now.

• If you keep pulling me back, I won't be free.

  ➔ First conditional: 'if' + present simple + 'will' + base verb

  ➔ The clause "If you keep pulling me back" uses the present simple after 'if' to talk about a possible future action, followed by the main clause "I won't be free" with 'won't' (will not).

• My heart was broken by lies.

  ➔ Passive voice: be + past participle (was broken)

  ➔ The phrase "my heart was broken" is in passive voice, indicating that the heart receives the action of being broken.

• I stay up late, drinking whiskey to forget.

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose: to + base verb (to forget)

  ➔ In "drinking whiskey to forget", the infinitive "to forget" shows the purpose of drinking.

• I love dancing with the shadows of my past.

  ➔ Gerund as object: love + gerund (dancing)

  ➔ The verb "love" can be followed by a gerund; here "love dancing" treats "dancing" as a noun.

• She said she'd stay, but she left at dawn.

  ➔ Reported speech with backshifting (she said she'd stay)

  ➔ The clause "She said she'd stay" uses reported speech, shifting "will" to "would" (she would stay).

• Your smile was brighter than the sunrise.

  ➔ Comparative adjective + than (brighter than the sunrise)

  ➔ The adjective "brighter" is in the comparative form, followed by "than" to compare with the sunrise.

• I've never felt so scared of myself.

  ➔ Present perfect with never for experience (I've never felt)

  ➔ The phrase "I've never felt" uses the present perfect to describe a lack of experience up to now.