S'abîme comes from the verb s'abîmer, which means 'to get damaged', 'to be ruined', or 'to deteriorate'. It's a reflective verb that implies self-inflicted harm or decay.
In the song, the line "On s'aime mais on s'abîme" (We love each other but we're damaging ourselves/getting ruined) powerfully conveys the destructive aspect of an intense, perhaps toxic, relationship. It's a poignant and less common word in pop music, highlighting the emotional depth and conflict within the lyrics.
Nej's "Je T'a(b)ime" is a super honest look at a love that's both irresistible and destructive. The title itself is a clever play on words, combining "Je t'aime" (I love you) with "abîme" (abyss or ruin), hinting at the central conflict. She sings about how this person is always close, and she sees herself in their eyes, even calling them her "lueur d'espoir" [glimmer of hope]. It's clear she's completely devoted, saying, "Moi, je n'ai d'yeux que pour ton amour" [I only have eyes for your love], even when others try to win her over.
But this isn't a simple love story. There's a real push and pull, as she admits, "On s'aime mais on s'abîme" [We love each other but we hurt each other]. She's lost herself in this relationship, even declaring, "Si t'aimer est interdit, j'veux qu'tu sois mon enfer" [If loving you is forbidden, I want you to be my hell]. It's a powerful and a bit dramatic statement, showing just how deeply entangled she is, even accepting this person as her "punition sur Terre, mon châtiment" [punishment on Earth, my chastisement]. Despite the pain, she still sees them as her "égérie, mon Superman dans ce monde" [muse, my Superman in this world], highlighting the complex mix of adoration and suffering in this intense connection.