Spanish Songs, Translated

When heartbreak turns into chaotic flirting

There are breakup songs that cry.

And then there are breakup songs that say: fine, let’s flirt harder.

Cucaracheo by Sebastián Yatra and Jay Kabalan is playful, dramatic, self-aware, and slightly ridiculous in the best way possible.

The word “cucaracheo” here feels like exaggerated, over-the-top flirting. Big compliments. Fast promises. Zero chill.

This song is:

• Dramatic
• Funny
• Slightly desperate
• Very catchy

From a Spanish learner perspective:

• Lots of slang
• Sports metaphors
• Exaggerated romantic language
• Informal contractions
• Conversational tone

Level: B1

Listen First

Jay Kabalan, Sebastián Yatra – Cucaracheo

You will laugh at least once.

Cucaracheo – Jay Kabalan and Sebastian Yatra – Spanish to English Translation

No gano ni una en el amor, no digan que no lo intenté

I do not win even one in love, do not say I did not try

Quedó 3-0 a su favor y ahora me toca joder

It ended 3-0 in her favor and now it is my turn to mess around

Ya está partido el corazón, no hay quien lo pueda recoger

The heart is already broken, there is no one who can pick it up

Hoy con mis panas la misión es que nos toca joder

Today with my friends the mission is that it is our turn to mess around

Manual para cucaracheo, parte uno

Manual for over-the-top flirting, part one

Cáele a labia

Use smooth talk on her

Cántale algo bien bonito

Sing something very pretty to her

Ni nos conocemos y ya te digo “Princesa”

We do not even know each other and I already call you princess

Buscaré un castillo para caernos a besos

I will look for a castle so we can fall into kisses

Con esos ojitos sos lo más lindo que he visto

With those little eyes you are the prettiest thing I have seen

Yo nunca digo “Te quiero”, pero me sale contigo

I never say I love you, but it comes out with you

¿Cómo no te había visto antes?

How had I not seen you before?

Mi vida hasta ahora fue un castigo

My life until now was a punishment

Lo único que quiero es darte

The only thing I want is to give you

Lo que más nadie ha podido

What no one else has been able to

¡Estoy enamorado!

I am in love

¡Ey, yo la vi primero, bro!

Hey, I saw her first, bro

Ni nos conocemos y ya te llamo “Mi reina”

We do not even know each other and I already call you my queen

Yo soy el bandido que enloqueció a la princesa

I am the bandit who drove the princess crazy

Y tu carita, ma, tendrán nuestros hijos, ma

And your little face, our children will have it

Te conocí en cucaracheo

I met you during this exaggerated flirting

Yo iba de Gato con Botas

I was dressed as Puss in Boots

Tú eras la gata volviéndome loco

You were the cat driving me crazy

Mucho arañazo y perdimos la ropa

Lots of scratching and we lost our clothes

Maullando y bailando en pelotas

Meowing and dancing without clothes

Gozando más

Enjoying more

Seremos tú y yo, na’ más

It will be just you and me

Te esperaré en el altar

I will wait for you at the altar

Pa’ besarte

To kiss you

No puedo, tengo novio

I cannot, I have a boyfriend

Mierda

Damn

Vocabulary and Slang Breakdown

1. Panas

Panas means friends. Very common informal word.

Hoy salgo con mis panas.

Today I am going out with my friends.

2. Me toca

Me toca = it is my turn.

Ahora me toca estudiar.

Now it is my turn to study.

3. Labia

Labia means smooth talking ability.

Tiene mucha labia.

He has a lot of charm when speaking.

4. Me sale contigo

Me sale means it comes out naturally.

No digo eso, pero me sale contigo.

I do not usually say that, but it comes out with you.

5. Na’ más

Short for nada más.

Means only or just.

Seremos tú y yo, nada más.

It will be just you and me.

Quick Quiz

1. “No gano ni una” means
   A. I win everything
   B. I do not win even one
   C. I am lucky
   D. I am confused
2. “Me toca” expresses
   A. Obligation
   B. Past action
   C. It is my turn
   D. Permission
3. “Labia” refers to
   A. Singing
   B. Fighting
   C. Smooth talking
   D. Dancing
4. “Na’ más” is short for
   A. Nada malo
   B. Nada más
   C. No más
   D. Nunca más
5. “Me sale contigo” implies
   A. It fails with you
   B. It leaves with you
   C. It comes out naturally with you
   D. It disappears

Answers

1-B

2-C

3-C

4-B

5-C

Final Thoughts

Cucaracheo is exaggerated romance at full speed.

It mocks heartbreak by turning it into theatrical flirting. It is self-aware. It is dramatic. And it does not take itself too seriously.

For learners, it is excellent for slang and conversational Spanish.

If you want help understanding modern Spanish songs without feeling lost:

effietrumpet19@gmail.com

Because sometimes

after losing 3-0 in love

you just write a manual.