Quand c’est ? – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

• By: Stromae
• Album: √ (racine carrée)

Lyrics & Translation

Discover Stromae's powerful song "Quand c'est?", a deeply personal and universally relevant exploration of cancer. Through its evocative lyrics and striking visuals, this track offers a unique way to engage with themes of fear, family, and resilience, while also providing an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the French language.

[English]

But yes, we know each other well

You even wanted to get with my mother, huh

You started with her breasts

And then from the lung to my father

Do you remember?

Cancer, cancer,

tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

who's next?

Cancer, cancer,

oh tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

who's next?

And you like little children

Decidedly, nothing stops you

And stop acting innocent

On cigarette packs

"Smoking kills", you surprise me

But you help me

Cancer, cancer,

tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

who's next?

Cancer, cancer,

oh tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

Oh cancer

When is it, when is it

That you stop your advances?

When is it, when is it

That you go on vacation?

When is it, when is it

When do you think about it?

When is it, when is it?

That'll give us a vacation

Cancer, cancer,

tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

who's next?

Cancer, cancer,

oh tell me when is it?

Cancer, cancer,

Who is next?

Who is next?

Who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

Who is, who is, who is next?

[French]

Mais oui on se connait bien

T'as même voulu t'faire ma mère hein

T'as commencé par ses seins

Et puis du poumon à mon père

Tu t'en souviens ?

Cancer, cancer,

dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

qui est le prochain ?

Cancer, cancer,

oh dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

qui est le prochain ?

Et tu aimes les petits enfants

Décidément, rien ne t'arrête toi

Et arrête de faire ton innocent

Sur les paquets de cigarettes

"Fumer tue", tu m'étonnes

Mais tu m'aides

Cancer, cancer,

dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

qui est le prochain ?

Cancer, cancer,

oh dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

Oh cancer

Quand c'est, quand c'est

Que tu cesses tes avances ?

Quand c'est, quand c'est

Que tu pars en vacances ?

Quand c'est, quand c'est

Quand est-ce que tu y penses ?

Quand c'est, quand c'est ?

Ça nous fera des vacances

Cancer, cancer,

dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

qui est le prochain ?

Cancer, cancer,

oh dis-moi quand c'est ?

Cancer, cancer,

Qui est le prochain ?

Qui est le prochain ?

Qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Qui est, qui est, qui est le prochain ?

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cancer /ˈkænsər/ A2	noun - a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body
enfant /ɑ̃.fɑ̃/ A1	noun - a child
vacances /va.kɑ̃s/ A2	noun - holidays or vacation time
prochain /pʁo.ʃɛ̃/ B1	adjective - next
innocent /ˈɪnəˌsɛnt/ B2	adjective - not guilty of a crime or offense
souvenir /suː.vəˈnɪr/ B1	verb - to remember
aider /ɛ.de/ A2	verb - to help
arrêter /a.ʁe.te/ A2	verb - to stop
faire /fɛʁ/ A1	verb - to do or make
petit /pə.ti/ A1	adjective - small
mère /mɛʁ/ A1	noun - mother
poumon /pu.mɔ̃/ B1	noun - lung
se /sə/ A1	pronoun - reflexive pronoun used for oneself
dis /di/ A1	verb - to say or tell
quand /kɑ̃/ A1	adverb - when

Key Grammar Structures

• Mais oui on se connait bien

  ➔ Use of 'on' as an informal subject pronoun.

  ➔ The phrase "on se connait" translates to "we know each other" in English, using "on" to refer to people in general.

• T'as même voulu t'faire ma mère hein

  ➔ Use of informal contraction 't'as' for 'tu as'.

  ➔ The phrase "T'as voulu" means "You wanted" in English, showing a casual tone.

• Et tu aimes les petits enfants

  ➔ Use of 'aimes' as the second person singular form of 'aimer'.

  ➔ The phrase "tu aimes" translates to "you love" in English, indicating affection.

• Sur les paquets de cigarettes

  ➔ Use of 'sur' to indicate location or position.

  ➔ The phrase "sur les paquets" means "on the packets" in English, indicating where something is found.

• Fumer tue, tu m'étonnes

  ➔ Use of the imperative form 'fumer' and the expression 'tu m'étonnes'.

  ➔ The phrase "Fumer tue" translates to "Smoking kills" in English, a strong statement.

• Quand c'est, quand c'est

  ➔ Use of 'quand' to ask about time.

  ➔ The phrase "Quand c'est" translates to "When is it" in English, asking for a specific time.

• Qui est le prochain ?

  ➔ Use of 'qui' to ask about a person.

  ➔ The phrase "Qui est le prochain ?" translates to "Who is next?" in English, inquiring about the next person.