Nagasaki – Bilingual Lyrics French/English
Lyrics & Translation
Key Vocabulary
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monnaie /mɔnɛ/ A1 |
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fou /fu/ B1 |
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fer /fɛʁ/ A1 |
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outil /uti/ B1 |
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gadjis /ɡadʒis/ C1 |
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sein /sɛ̃/ B2 |
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espoir /ɛspwaʁ/ B1 |
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réussir /ʀeysiʁ/ B1 |
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divaguer /divaɡe/ C1 |
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bien /bjɛ̃/ B1 |
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mal /mal/ B1 |
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zigzaguer /ziɡzaɡe/ C1 |
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Nagasaki /naɡazaki/ A1 |
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sorcière /sɔʁsjɛʁ/ B1 |
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couteau /kuto/ A2 |
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pain /pɛ̃/ A1 |
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jalouser /ʒaluze/ B2 |
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réseau /ʀezo/ B1 |
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perdu /pɛʁdy/ A2 |
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morale /mɔʁal/ B1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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Jusqu'à j'en devienne parano
➔ Subjunctive mood after 'jusqu'à (ce que)'
➔ The phrase "jusqu'à" often introduces a clause that expresses a point in time or a limit, and when followed by a verb, it frequently requires the **subjunctive mood**, especially if it implies a degree of uncertainty or purpose. Here, "je devienne" (from "devenir") is in the subjunctive because "jusqu'à" sets a limit to an action leading to a state, implying a potential future or an outcome. The "en" pronoun refers to the cause of paranoia, implicitly "de ça" (from that situation/treatment).
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Et des gadjis y'en a plein
➔ Pronouns 'y' and 'en' for quantity
➔ The French **pronoun "y"** replaces a place or an indirect object introduced by "à". The **pronoun "en"** replaces a direct object introduced by "de", or a quantity (like "des gadjis" here). In the second part, "y'en a plein" is a common informal expression for "il y en a beaucoup" (there are many of them). "Y" refers to the existence (there are) and "en" refers to "des gadjis" (of them).
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Je me dois de réussir la corde au cou
➔ Pronominal verb 'se devoir de' + infinitive
➔ The pronominal verb "se devoir de" means "to have a duty to," "to be obligated to," or "to owe it to oneself to" do something. It expresses a strong sense of obligation or responsibility, often towards oneself or one's family. It is always followed by the preposition "de" and then an infinitive verb.
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Y'a personne qui m'fait divaguer
➔ Impersonal expression 'il y a' + negative 'personne' + relative pronoun 'qui' + causative 'faire'
➔ This sentence combines several important grammatical elements. "Y'a" is the informal contraction of "il y a" (there is/are), an impersonal expression indicating existence. "personne" is a negative pronoun meaning "nobody" or "no one." It requires the negation "ne" (often omitted in informal speech, as here: "Y'a personne" instead of "Il n'y a personne"). "qui" is a relative pronoun referring to "personne" and acting as the subject of the following verb. "m'fait divaguer" uses the causative construction "faire + infinitive" (faire faire quelque chose à quelqu'un), meaning "to make someone do something" or "to cause something to happen." Here, "m'fait" is a contraction of "me fait," meaning "makes me" or "causes me."
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En c'moment j'fais que d'zigzaguer
➔ Informal 'ne faire que de' + infinitive
➔ The expression "faire que de" (or more formally "ne faire que de") is an informal way to say "to do nothing but" or "to only do" something. It indicates that the action is the sole or primary activity being performed. The "ne" is often omitted in casual speech, as seen here. It is always followed by the preposition "de" and an infinitive.
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J'aime pas les meufs qui touchent à tout
➔ Relative pronoun 'qui' + verb 'toucher à'
➔ This sentence uses the **relative pronoun "qui"** to introduce a relative clause that modifies "les meufs" (the girls/women). "Qui" acts as the subject of the verb within the relative clause. The verb "toucher à" here is used in a figurative sense, meaning "to meddle with everything" or, in a more colloquial and negative context like this, "to be promiscuous" or "to be involved with many people."
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Elle a tellement né-tour
➔ Adverb 'tellement' for intensity/degree + Verlan (slang)
➔ The adverb "tellement" is used to express a high degree or intensity, similar to "so much," "so many," or "to such an extent." It modifies a verb or an adjective. Here, it modifies "né-tour," which is the verlan (a type of French argot where syllables are inverted) of "tourné" (past participle of "tourner" - to turn/to go around). So, "Elle a tellement tourné" means "She has gone around/been around so much" (implying she's been with many people).
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Pour voir qu'c'est une sorcière
➔ 'Pour' + infinitive for purpose/result + 'que' conjunction
➔ This construction uses "Pour" followed by an infinitive ("voir"), which typically indicates purpose ("in order to see"). However, in this context, it could also imply a result or a condition for understanding. What follows "voir" is a **subordinate clause introduced by "que"** (contracted to "qu'c'est" for "que c'est"), which functions as the direct object of "voir," meaning "to see THAT it is a witch."
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Toi tu jalouses ton frère, t'es fou
➔ Tonic pronoun for emphasis/dislocation
➔ This sentence uses "Toi," a tonic pronoun (stressed pronoun), at the beginning for emphasis and **dislocation**. This structure foregrounds the pronoun, making it clear who the subject is and adding a strong accusatory or emphatic tone, even though the subject pronoun "tu" follows immediately. It's very common in informal French to reinforce or highlight the subject.
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Si j'me lève gros c'est pour faire
➔ Conditional clause Type 1 (Si + present, present/future)
➔ This sentence uses a **Type 1 conditional clause** (also known as a "real conditional" or "if-clause"). The structure is "Si + present tense," followed by a main clause often in the present tense or future tense. It expresses a real or very probable condition and its likely result. Here, "Si j'me lève" (if I get up) is the condition, and "c'est pour faire" (it's to do/make money) is the result, indicating the purpose of getting up. "Gros" is an informal address (like "bro").
