« 40% », Quiz 5: que c’est doux

The above audio sample and transcription is from Aya Nakamura’s “40%”. Songwriters: Aya Danioko 40% lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Soc Sony ATV Allegro Music Publishing France, Blue Sky Publishing, Perspective Productions, Label 67, Universal Music Publishing Group. We do not own the content, we are using it for educational purposes. Listen to the entire song here.

This is so sweet

This clip, like the others in “40%” is loaded with slang expressions. And. I. Love. It.

I basically need to look up everything in this clip, and really I’m grateful for her own English lyrics on her Youtube music video. I can only assume that’s what she really meant, so that’s always better than random Googling. Though the pay offs from the Googling are welcome.

With this clip, we get 29 words, each line is packed with at least 1 or 2 expressions that seem like slang. These are not your typical grammatical, rule-abiding expressions you’ll see in a French textbook. And that’s the beauty of language, especially in verse.

I’m coming at this without knowing the rules. I believe poets and lyricists like Aya Nakamura often understand the rules. And because they know the rules, every choice they make is a conscious one that makes their use and bending that much sweeter.

I obviously don’t want to sound like Aya, but it’s fun to try to piece together what she’s saying, and then struggle through what she means.

How much of this snippet are you understanding?
What’s your favorite part about this?

I struggle with hearing individual words in English songs, in my native tongue. It takes a couple listens to really get it..

The snippet in English

Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?

The above text from Aya Nakamura’s Youtube channel. Source. Songwriters: Aya Danioko 40% lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Soc Sony ATV Allegro Music Publishing France, Blue Sky Publishing, Perspective Productions, Label 67, Universal Music Publishing Group

What does “que c’est doux” mean?

“Que c’est doux” is a French phrase that can be translated to “How sweet it is” or “How lovely it is” in English.

It is an expression of admiration or appreciation, usually used to describe something that is pleasing or delightful. “doux” is an adjective that means “soft” or “mild”, but in this context it’s used to express an emotional feeling, such as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment.

For example:

• “Regarder les enfants jouer, que c’est doux” which means “Watching the children play, how lovely it is”
• “Sentir l’odeur de la pluie, que c’est doux” which means “Feeling the smell of the rain, how sweet it is”

It is used to express appreciation of something pleasant, beautiful or satisfying.

What does “tu fais la gueule” mean?

Tu fais la gueule is a very common informal French expression that means You’re sulking, You’re pouting, or more bluntly, You’re in a bad mood.

Literal meaning: Faire la gueule = to do the mouth (literally), but gueule here refers to the face in a slightly rude or animalistic way. Idiomatically: it means to sulk, to mope, or to look annoyed without speaking.

Example:
Qu’est-ce qu’il y a ? Tu fais la gueule ? (What’s wrong? Are you sulking?)
Il fait la gueule depuis ce matin. (He’s been in a mood since this morning.)

Tone and register: Informal / familiar, sometimes slightly aggressive or teasing Can be affectionate or confrontational depending on tone It’s much more casual than saying être de mauvaise humeur (to be in a bad mood)

Related expressions:
Faire la tête = slightly softer version (still sulking)
Bouder = to sulk (a bit more neutral/formal)
Arrête de faire la gueule = Stop pouting / Get over it

This phrase is deeply embedded in everyday spoken French, especially in relationships, family, or friendship dynamics. It captures that quiet-but-visible moodiness perfectly.

What does “wallah” mean?

Wallah is an Arabic expression that means “I swear [to God]”.

While wallah is rooted in religious language, in French slang it’s often used without deep religious intent—more as a forceful “seriously”, “I’m not lying”, or “no joke”. However, it still carries weight, and overusing it or using it sarcastically in front of someone devout might come across as disrespectful.

it has been widely adopted into spoken French slang, especially in multicultural, urban, or youth contexts. Common in banlieue French, rap, and online/social media speech. Used by both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers.

What does “j’le mène à bout” mean?

J’le mène à bout is an informal, spoken contraction of je le mène à bout, which means I push him to the limit or I drive him to the breaking point.

mène → from mener = to lead, to drive, to bring
à bout → to the end, often meaning to exhaustion, to the limit

Meaning: Je le mène à bout means you’re pushing someone (emotionally, mentally, or physically) to their limit, to the point of fatigue, frustration, or collapse.

Elle dit que je le mène à bout avec mes remarques. (She says I’m driving him crazy with my comments.)

Tone and usage: Informal, often emotional. Can express guilt, power, teasing, or conflict depending on tone

Related to expressions like:
être à bout (to be at the end of one’s rope)
pousser quelqu’un à bout (to push someone over the edge)

So j’le mène à bout is a raw, natural spoken phrase—very French, and very expressive of tension, exhaustion, or emotional strain.

What does “il est piqué” mean?

Il est piqué is a casual, slangy French expression that can mean a few different things depending on tone and context. It’s built from the verb piquer (to sting, prick, or steal), but in slang, it takes on new shades of meaning. Common meanings:

He’s crazy / off his rocker
Il est complètement piqué, ce mec.
(That guy is totally nuts.) → Like saying il est fou or il a pété un câble, but with a sharp, informal tone.

He’s love-struck / obsessed
Il est piqué d’elle grave.
(He’s totally into her.) → Similar to il est accro, often with a romantic or fixated tone.

He’s been stung / injected / dosed (literal or figurative)
Il est piqué par une guêpe.
(He got stung by a wasp.) → Literal use of piqué—or in slang, could refer to someone who’s on something (drugs/injections).

Tone: Informal, youthful, and sometimes playful or judgmental. Can be affectionate (he’s crazy in love) or critical (he’s totally lost it)

So depending on the context, il est piqué can mean he’s mad, he’s in love, or he’s been hit hard (by something)—emotionally or physically.