Game over, une histoire d’amour et de désillusions
B1 French listening practice · French · Curated for intermediate learners
What does “aboutir” mean in French?
“Aboutir” looks like the English word “about,” but it means something different. In French it means to reach a result, to come through, or to succeed. A plan, a phone call, or talks can “aboutir” — or fail to. One memorable place you hear it is the recorded message when your call cannot connect — but aboutir is also common in news, admin, and formal everyday French.
The song ends with a real automated phone message: “Votre appel ne peut aboutir actuellement. Merci de raccrocher et de relancer votre appel ultérieurement.” In English: “Your call cannot go through right now. Please hang up and try again later.” After a whole song about a love that is over, the phone call no one answers is the perfect last picture — the call, like the relationship, cannot “aboutir.” “Aboutir” comes from “bout,” meaning the end or tip of something. The image is of reaching the far end — the point where something finally arrives at its result. You meet it often in news and in daily conversation. “Les négociations n’ont pas abouti” = “The talks led to nothing.” “Sa demande a abouti” = “His request came through.” It usually pairs with the helper verb “avoir”: “le projet a abouti.”