Je T'aime À L'algérienne Lyrics in English Zaho

Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Je T'aime À L'algérienne by Zaho from French to English.
There are pains that we can't write
Words we don't know how to say
I try but I love you in silence
Out of modesty
Or out of pride of feelings
But yes, I'm navigating against the current
My heart hurts
A pain that ignites
That not even drunkenness can heal
Darling, I feel melancholic
I miss you, yes, it hurts
But I won't even call you back
And time goes by
Yes, time goes by
And I don't speak
And life without you
Has left me speechless
So I won't even tell you
Because I love you, I love you
In the Algerian way
I love you, I love you
Without telling you I love you
Yes, I love you, I love you
In the Algerian way
I love you, I love you
Without telling you I love you
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
If there are only proofs of love
For you, I would go to war
To live in peace in your arms
I never cry for help
For that, I am too proud
Even if it distances me from you
When it's time to talk about love
I take off
Like a message in a bottle
Don't think my heart is deaf
When you suffer
I suffer with you, my eyes
And time goes by
Yes, time goes by
And I don't speak
And life without you
Has left me speechless
So I won't even tell you
Because I love you, I love you
In the Algerian way
I love you, I love you
Without telling you I love you
Yes, I love you, I love you
In the Algerian way
I love you, I love you
Without telling you I love you
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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SONG MEANING

Imagine loving someone so fiercely that the words get trapped behind pride and tradition. That is the heartbeat of Zaho’s "Je T'aime À L'algérienne." The Algerian-Canadian singer paints a picture of silent devotion: her heart aches, time slips away, yet she never lets the phrase "je t’aime" leave her lips. Instead, she shows a uniquely Algerian way of loving – guarded, dignified, and proven through actions rather than declarations. Even when loneliness burns and nothing, not even “l’ivresse,” can numb the pain, she chooses to navigate against the current, refusing to call or plead for help.

Why does she stay silent? The lyrics reveal two powerful forces at play:

  • Pudeur (modesty) – cultural reserve keeps her from blurting out her feelings.
  • Fierté (pride) – she would “make war” for her lover but will not cry out “au secours.”

By repeating “Je t’aime… sans te dire je t’aime,” Zaho turns withheld words into a chorus, reminding us that love is sometimes loudest in its quiet moments. The song is both a confession and a cultural snapshot, showing how Algerian love can be fiery, loyal, and unspoken all at once.

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