Oui, mais non…
A delightful song from a french artist : her voice is nicely sort of « childish », as many french female singers.
A very funny thing, is the refrain : « Oui… mais non », which is very similar to the « Да нет », in russian.
Overall, the song contains some words you wouldn’t use in a formal conversation… (some of which define anatomical parts).
From a grammatical point of view, it is very interesting that it would contain many times the sentence « je veux » (I want), that many foreigners have some difficulties to pronounce correctly.
It is often mispelled with « je vais » (I will, expression of future), although the two sounds are not at all the same (« euh », vs « é »).
If you want a translation, here it is (thanks to Google Translate and my little hands) + some commentaries to help understand.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VXXkUqTP3jJUdJyiAw03XENFbQX64BqfcbpqUbsR7IQ/edit?usp=sharing
One minute of grammar and vocabulary
- « Je veux » et « je vais » : hear the difference, in 1st strophe page 2 of the song
Même si je suis pas Stéphanie
Je veux entrer dans ta vie
J’la veux danser avec toi
J’vais pas te l’dire cent fois
- Typical expressions
- tout de suite : right away, now. « Pas demain, pas ce soir : tout de suite ! » : not tomorrow, not tonight, right now !
- c’est fou : it’s crazy. « Tu m’as manqué, c’est fou ! » : I missed you, it’s crazy !
- j’ai mes gros sabots : it’s a ready-made expression, designing people who is not delicate in his actions, who do not take precautions, or think a lot before acting/speaking. « Elle y est allée avec ses gros sabots, et l’a invité à dîner » : she went straightly, and asked him out for dinner.
- je porte le chapeau : again, a ready-made expression, that means to be liable for something. Has not really a sense in the song, it is just for the rhyme.
- je ne vais pas te le dire cent fois : an useful expression, if you’re a bit exasperated ! I’m not going to repeat it a hundred times !
- un pote : a very used expression, though in a familiar register. « Un pote » is a close friend. You could also say « un ami » (formal), « un copain » (less formal, but ok. It’s very common, often used, especially by younger people. « C’est juste un copain« , he’s just a friend). « C’est un pote« , means that he is a very good friend of yours, and also that you are either familiar with the person you are talking to, or not a very educated person.
- si tu n’aimes pas ma gueule : if you don’t like my face. Gueule is quite a vulgar word for face, but also often used. « Ta gueule !« : shut up !
- La cerise sur le gâteau
- Oui… mais non ! : Yes… but no ! If you have ever seen Little Britain, you probably know very well this expression, though she says it quite differently !