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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #130688: Abbreviations in English song lyrics





    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Songs [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Song : The three mice - If you're happy (song/video) - Numbers from 1 to 10 - Verbs 'patterns' - Song : Ten little Indians - Song : The Red River Valley - Yesterday (The Beatles) - Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Abbreviations in English song lyrics - English lesson


    Abbreviations in English song lyrics
    In English songs, we often hear shortened words. Artists love using abbreviations to make lyrics sound more natural, faster, and cooler. It's super useful to know them if you want to understand your favorite songs in English!

     

    Let's look at the most common ones:

    1. gonna
    This means going to.
    Example: "I'm gonna love you" = I am going to love you.

    2. wanna
    This is short for want to.
    Example: "I wanna dance with somebody" = I want to dance with somebody.

    3. gotta
    It comes from got to or have to.
    Example: "I gotta go" = I have to go.

    4. ain't
    This is a slang word. It can mean am not, is not, are not, or have not. It's not grammatically correct, but very common in songs.
    Example: "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone" = There isn't any sunshine when she's gone.

    5. lemme
    This means let me.
    Example: "Lemme love you" = Let me love you.

    6. gimme
    This means give me.
    Example: "Gimme more" = Give me more.

    7. 'cause / cuz / cos
    These are all short versions of because.
    Example: "'Cause I'm happy" = Because I'm happy.

    8. ya
    This is a casual way to say you.
    Example: "I miss ya" = I miss you.

    9. 'em
    This replaces them.
    Example: "Hit ‘em up" = Hit them.

    10. outta
    This means out of.
    Example: "I'm outta time" = I'm out of time.

    11. kinda
    This is short for kind of, which means "a little" or "sort of".
    Example: "It's kinda crazy" = It's a little crazy.

    12. shoulda / coulda / woulda
    These are quick ways to say should have / could have / would have.
    Example: "Shoulda known better" = I should have known better.



    Remember:
    These words are very common in songs, videos, and casual speech. But in formal writing (like at school), we don't usually use them. Still, they're really useful if you want to understand and speak more naturally.

     



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    1. What does "gonna" mean?

    2. In songs, "wanna" is short for:

    3. What does "lemme" stand for?

    4. "Ain't no sunshine" means:

    5. "Gimme" is a short way to say:

    6. What does "'cause" mean in lyrics?

    7. What is the full version of "ya" in songs?

    8. If someone says "gotta go", it means:

    9. What does "'em" replace in songs?

    10. "Kinda" means:










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