Lyrics & Translation
Explore the dynamic sounds of Nigerian singer Ayra Starr with her hit song "Rush." This track offers a blend of English and Pidgin lyrics, providing a glimpse into Nigerian culture and contemporary Afrobeat music. Learn about the importance of hard work and celebrating success while enjoying the catchy rhythm that made "Rush" a global sensation.
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meanings |
---|---|
run /rʌn/ A1 |
|
talk /tɔːk/ A1 |
|
work /wɜːrk/ A1 |
|
hustle /ˈhʌsəl/ B2 |
|
fight /faɪt/ A2 |
|
catch /kætʃ/ A2 |
|
time /taɪm/ A1 |
|
hate /heɪt/ B1 |
|
money /ˈmʌni/ A1 |
|
dance /dæns/ A1 |
|
green /ɡriːn/ A1 |
|
hear /hɪr/ A1 |
|
rush /rʌʃ/ B1 |
|
touch /tʌtʃ/ A2 |
|
crush /krʌʃ/ B1 |
|
dulling /ˈdʌlɪŋ/ B2 |
|
grace /ɡreɪs/ B2 |
|
“run, talk, work” – got them all figured out?
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Key Grammar Structures
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Sabi girl no dey too like talk
➔ Non-standard verb conjugation/double negative
➔ The phrase "no dey too like talk" uses "dey" which is common in Nigerian Pidgin English, indicating a continuous or habitual action. The structure contains a double negative ('no' and 'too') emphasizing that the "Sabi girl" doesn't talk much.
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Padi man, nobody like work
➔ Double negative (informal)
➔ "Nobody like work" is a grammatically correct way of saying "no one likes work." The use of "nobody" emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm for work.
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But you must hustle if you wan chop
➔ Conditional clause with informal/slang terms.
➔ "If you wan chop" is a conditional clause, where "wan" is an informal contraction of "want to" and "chop" means "eat" or "earn a living" in Nigerian Pidgin. The full sentence implies that if you want to survive/eat, you must work hard.
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E no finish, dem wan fight us
➔ Informal syntax and pronoun usage.
➔ "E no finish" utilizes a shortened and informal version of the English language, likely Nigerian Pidgin. Instead of "It's not finished," it says "E no finish." The pronoun "dem" is also used instead of "they" when referring to people. "Dem wan fight us" translates to "They want to fight us."
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If them dey run, dem no fit catch up
➔ Conditional clause with Pidgin English and double negative
➔ The sentence uses Pidgin English, "If them dey run" translates to "If they are running". "Dem no fit catch up" is a double negative, meaning "They cannot catch up". "Fit" here is a shortened form of "able to".
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Me no getty time for the hate and the bad energy
➔ Informal pronoun usage and non-standard grammar.
➔ "Me no getty time" is an example of informal grammar common in dialects like Nigerian Pidgin. "Me" is used instead of "I," and "getty" is used instead of "have." The construction means "I don't have time."
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Dem won dey check if my tap e no rush
➔ Informal grammar, double negative, and idiomatic expression.
➔ "Dem won dey check" means "They want to check". The phrase "if my tap e no rush" uses a double negative ("no rush"), meaning "if my tap is not rushing". The overall idiomatic meaning refers to whether her success or wealth is flowing quickly ('rushing').
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Na God dey make my tap, e dey rush
➔ Use of Pidgin English and emphasis using "Na"
➔ "Na God dey make my tap" uses "Na" to emphasize that it is God who makes her tap rush. "Dey make" is Pidgin English for "makes" and "e dey rush" means "it is rushing".
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Kosi elomi, gat me feeling I'm the one
➔ Code-switching and pronounciation.
➔ "Kosi elomi" is Yoruba for "There is no other." "Gat me feeling" is slang for "got me feeling". The sentence represents code-switching between English and Yoruba, and utilizes slang in English.
Album: 19 & Dangerous Deluxe
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