Undel? – Bilingual Lyrics /English

• By: Elida Almeida
• Album: Kebrada

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the captivating world of Cape Verdean Creole with Elida Almeida's latest hit, "Undel?" This song offers a fantastic opportunity to learn Kriolu through its rhythmic beats and relatable lyrics. You'll grasp common phrases and expressions, especially those related to personal relationships and aspirations. What makes "Undel?" special is its unique blend of traditional Cape Verdean sounds with modern influences, creating a fresh and engaging sound that's both culturally rich and universally appealing. Plus, Elida Almeida's expressive vocals beautifully convey the song's heartfelt message, making it a memorable and effective language learning tool.

[English]

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Lord, give me a man

Who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke

Lord, give me a man

Who doesn't mess with other girls

Deliver me from all scoundrels

From arrogant players

Deliver me from womanizers

Who are worthless and useless

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

I don't need a loser in my life

I don't need even one scoundrel to play me

For me to recover,

So he doesn't leave me here crying

Lord, give me a man

Who knows how to come and go well

Lord, give me a man

Who doesn't complain about women

Deliver me from all scoundrels

From arrogant players

Deliver me from womanizers

Who are worthless and useless

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is the man of my life?

Where is he, Mom?

Where is he, Mom, Mom?

Where is he, Mom?

[]

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Nhordés Nhu da-m un omi

Ki ka ta bebi, ka ta fuma

Nhordés Nhu da-m un omi

Ki ka ta ranja rapariga

Libra-m di tudu xulu

Di bazofu petolu

Libra-m di zangalion

Ki ka bali ki ka npresta

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Ami N ka mesti azaradu na nha vida

Ami N ka mesti nin un xulu pa xula-m

Pa mi rakola, [...]

Pa ka bai pa-m fika li ta txora

Nhordés Nhu da-m un omi

Ki sabi entra, sabi sai

Nhordés Nhu da-m un omi

Ki ka ta rangui na mudjer

Libra-m di tudu xulu

Di bazofu petolu

Libra-m di zangalion

Ki ka bali ki ka npresta

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undi omi di nha vida?

Undê-l, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá, mamá?

Undê-l, mamá?

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mamá /maˈma/ A1	noun - mom
omi /ɔˈmi/ A1	noun - man
vida /ˈvi.da/ A1	noun - life
bebi /beˈbi/ A1	verb - to drink
fuma /ˈfu.ma/ A2	verb - to smoke
rapariga /ʁɐ.paˈɾi.ɣɐ/ B1	noun - girl
xulu /ʃuˈlu/ Unknown	noun - scoundrel, bad person (context-dependent)
bazofu /baˈzo.fu/ Unknown	adjective - boastful, arrogant
petolu /peˈto.lu/ Unknown	adjective - similar to 'bazofu', meaning boastful
zangalion /zaŋ.gaˈli.on/ Unknown	noun - A cunning, deceitful person
azaradu /ɐ.zaˈɾa.du/ Unknown	adjective - Unlucky
rakola /raˈkɔ.la/ Unknown	verb - To pick up, to gather (context-dependent)
txora /tʃɔ.ʁa/ A1	verb - To cry
sabi /saˈbi/ A1	verb - To know (how)
mudjer /muˈdʒɛɾ/ A1	noun - Woman

Key Grammar Structures

• Undê-l, mamá?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence structure with ellipsis. Question word implied from context.

  ➔ The sentence directly translates to 'Where is it, Mom?'. "Undê-l" (likely a Creole word from Cape Verdean Creole) acts as 'where is it/he/she?'. The specific subject is understood to be the missing man.

• Undi omi di nha vida?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence structure using 'Undi' (where) to inquire about the location of 'omi di nha vida' (the man of my life). Possession is indicated by 'di'.

  ➔ This translates to 'Where is the man of my life?'. 'Undi' means where, 'omi' means man, 'di' indicates possession (of), and 'nha vida' means my life.

• Nhordés Nhu da-m un omi

  ➔ Imperative request/prayer structure. 'Da-m' is a contraction meaning 'give me'. 'Un omi' means 'a man'.

  ➔ This translates to 'Lord God, give me a man'. It's a direct plea to a higher power.

• Ki ka ta bebi, ka ta fuma

  ➔ Relative clause introduced by 'Ki' (that/who). Negative construction using 'ka ta' followed by the verb. Repeated pattern.

  ➔ This means 'Who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke'. 'Ki' introduces the clause, 'ka ta' is the negation, 'bebi' means drink, and 'fuma' means smoke.

• Libra-m di tudu xulu

  ➔ Imperative verb 'Libra-m' (free me) followed by 'di' (from) and 'tudu xulu' (all bad things/trash). 'Di' indicates separation/removal.

  ➔ This translates to 'Free me from all trash'. 'Libra-m' is a command to be freed, 'di' indicates 'from', and 'tudu xulu' means 'all the trash/bad things'.

• Ki sabi entra, sabi sai

  ➔ Relative clause with elided relative pronoun. 'Sabi' (knows) repeated for emphasis, followed by verbs of movement 'entra' (enter) and 'sai' (exit).

  ➔ This means 'Who knows how to enter, knows how to exit'. The repetition of 'sabi' emphasizes the importance of this quality. It implies someone who's capable and responsible.