We are only twenty once

S. B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

We are only twenty once

Would this be incorrect: "On n'a vingt ans qu'une fois" ?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Sean,

It is a French expression -

"On n'a pas tous les jours vingt ans"

There is a very famous old 'musette' song called this, the second verse being -

ça n'arrive qu'une fois seulement ...

meaning you are only young once.

If you are interested here is a link to a more modern rendition by Patrick Bruel -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZhecLOUcQs

and the lyrics -

https://greatsong.net/PAROLES-BERTHE-SYLVA,ON-NA-PAS-TOUS-LES-JOURS-VINGT-ANS,638019.html

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

That sounds OK.

S. B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks for both answers.  I love listening to French songs and will add this to my regulars.  Ever listen to "Le vent nous portera"?

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I love French songs, too. Most of what I know of the language comes from listening to Brel, Francis Cabrel, Veronique Sanson, Patricia Kaas and many, many more.

"Le vent nous portera" is fantastic, but Bertrand Cantat's history prevents me from being a fan of the band.

Somewhat on topic, there is also "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" by Dalida, which I first heard on the film "Mina Tannenbaum": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJE5iEcGKG4

S. B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I just read about Cantat.  Yikes.

S. B. asked:View original

We are only twenty once

Would this be incorrect: "On n'a vingt ans qu'une fois" ?

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