Learn Spanish With Shakira
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Shakira
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning Spanish with Shakira's music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. It is also great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning Spanish!
Below are 16 song recommendations by Shakira to get you started! Alongside each recommendation, you will find a snippet of the lyric translations with links to the full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs!
Shakira is a singer-songwriter who has been a major force in Latin Pop for over two decades, known for her unique voice and dynamic stage presence. She began her music career in the early 1990s, releasing her first album in 1991. Since then, she has become one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, selling over 150 million records worldwide. Her unique blend of Latin, rock, and pop music has earned her numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards. In addition to her music career, Shakira is also known for her philanthropic work, including her 'Pies Descalzos' Foundation, which provides education and resources to underprivileged children in her home country of Colombia.
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1 Chantaje (Blackmail)
2 Te Felicito (I Congratulate You)
3 La Tortura (The Torture)
4 Monotonía (Monotony)
5 Copa Vacía (Empty Cup)
6 Perro Fiel (Faithful Dog)
7 Acróstico
8 Me Gusta (I LIKE IT)
9 La Bicicleta (The Bicycle)
10 Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte (I Never Remember Forgetting You)
11 Estoy Aquí (I Am Here)
12 Me Enamoré (I Fell In Love)
13 Clandestino (Clandestine)
14 Addicted To You
15 El Jefe (The Boss)
16 Nada (Nothing)
Chantaje (Blackmail)
Cuando estás bien te alejas de mí
Te sientes sola y siempre estoy ahí
Es una guerra de toma y dame
Pues dame de eso que tienes ahí
When you're good, you walk away from me
You feel alone and I'm always there
It's a war of take and give
Then give me what you have there
In Chantaje, Shakira explores the complexities of a relationship between two people who are constantly playing a game of give and take. The lyrics describe a situation in which one person is trying to manipulate the other, while the other is trying to remain independent and free. The song speaks to the power dynamics of relationships, and how one person can be both a masochist and an egoist in the same relationship. Ultimately, the song suggests that no matter how hard one person tries to control the other, the other will always remain free.
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Te Felicito (I Congratulate You)
Por completarte me rompí en pedazos
Me lo advirtieron, pero no hice caso
Me di cuenta que lo tuyo es falso
Fue la gota que rebasó el vaso
To complete you I broke into pieces
They warned me, but I ignored
I realized that yours is false
It was the drop that overflowed the glass
In Shakira's song Te Felicito, she reflects on a relationship that has ended due to the other person's dishonesty and lack of authenticity. She acknowledges the other person's acting skills and compliments them for their performance, but ultimately expresses her relief that the relationship is over. She encourages the other person to continue their act, but also warns them that she will no longer be fooled.
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La Tortura (The Torture)
Ay payita mía, guardate la poesia
Guardate la alegria pa' ti
No pido que todos los días sean de sol
No pido que todos los viernes sean de fiesta
Oh my girl, keep the poetry
Keep the joy for you
I don't ask that all days be sunny
I don't ask that all Fridays be a party
La Tortura by Shakira is a song about the pain of losing a loved one and the regret of not being able to make things right. The lyrics express the singer's longing for the person they have lost, and the regret of not being able to make things right. The song also speaks to the idea that mistakes can be learned from, and that love is more than just words. The singer acknowledges that they have not been a saint, but they are willing to make things right. The chorus of the song emphasizes the pain of losing the person and the regret of not being able to make things right.
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Monotonía (Monotony)
No fue culpa tuya, ni tampoco mía
Fue culpa de la monotonía
Nunca dije nada, pero me dolía
Yo sabía que esto pasaría
It wasn't your fault, nor mine
It was the monotony's fault
I never said anything but it hurt me
I knew that this would happen
Shakira's song Monotonía reflects on the breakdown of a relationship due to the monotony of everyday life. The lyrics describe how the couple slowly drifted apart, with one person seeking attention and the other feeling neglected. The song ultimately concludes that the monotony of the relationship was to blame, and that the couple had forgotten what they once were.
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Copa Vacía (Empty Cup)
¿Lo ves? Así
A este ritmo no puedo seguir
Ya no sé qué más hacer
Para obtener más de ti
Do you see it? Like this
I can't continue at this rhythm
I don't know what more to do
To get more from you
"Copa Vacía" by Shakira featuring Manuel Turizo is a song that explores the frustration and longing in a one-sided relationship. The lyrics express the singer's desire for more attention and affection from their partner, who seems to always be preoccupied with work and other commitments. The metaphor of a "copa vacía" or empty glass represents the singer's thirst for love and emotional fulfillment. Despite their efforts to fix the relationship, the singer feels like their attempts are in vain, as their partner remains distant and unresponsive. The song captures the feelings of disappointment and the struggle to fill the void in a relationship that lacks reciprocity.
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Perro Fiel (Faithful Dog)
Aquí estás
Ya no puedes detenerte
¿Dónde vas?
Si estoy loco por tenerte
Here you are
You can't stop anymore
Where are you going?
If I'm crazy to have you
In the song "Perro Fiel" by Shakira and Nicky Jam, Shakira expresses her desire for a relationship with someone who is loyal and attentive, but also wild and dangerous. She is scared of how much she likes him, and worries that she will go crazy if she gets too close. She adds that that despite her fears, she is determined to stay with him, like a "Pierro Fiel" (faithful dog).
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Acróstico
Me enseñaste que el amor no es una estafa
Y que cuando es real no se acaba
Intenté que no me veas llorar
Que no veas mi fragilidad
You taught me that love is not a scam
And that when it's real, it doesn't end
I tried not to let you see me cry
Not to show my fragility
Shakira's song "Acróstico" is a heartfelt expression of love and devotion. The lyrics speak about how love can be real and long-lasting, and how it can teach us important life lessons like forgiveness and facing our problems. Shakira talks about how her love for her partner is a source of strength for her, and how she wants nothing more than to make them happy and be by their side. The song also touches on the idea that love can help heal emotional pain, and that being there for someone else can help complete us as individuals. Overall, "Acróstico" is a beautiful ode to love and all the ways it can enrich our lives.
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Me Gusta (I LIKE IT)
Aclaremos que oscurece
Dejémonos ya de estupideces
Llevamos peleando par de meses
Y ya yo te lo he dicho tantas veces
Let's clarify because it's getting dark
Let's stop already the foolishness
We've been fighting for a couple of months
And I've already told you many times
In Shakira's song "Me Gusta", she reflects on the struggles of a relationship and how it has changed over time. She expresses her desire to talk and work things out, but her partner is not willing to put in the effort. She acknowledges that the perfect love only exists in novels, but still wants to try and make things work. She encourages her partner to put in the effort and talk things out, and expresses her desire to never lose them.
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La Bicicleta (The Bicycle)
Nada voy a hacer
Rebuscando en las heridas del pasado
No voy a perder
Yo no quiero ser un tipo de otro lado
I will do nothing
Digging in the wounds of the past
I'm not going to lose
I don't want to be a guy from the other side
In Shakira's song "La Bicicleta", she encourages her love interest to take her away on a bike ride, away from the troubles of the past. She expresses her admiration for him, describing him as "diferente" and "despelucado". She also sings of her love for her hometown of Barranquilla and Barcelona, and encourages her love interest to show her the beauty of the Tayrona region. The song is a vallenato-style love song, with a catchy chorus of "Lleva, llévame en tu bicicleta" ("Take, take me on your bike").
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Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte (I Never Remember Forgetting You)
Me temo que si
Se trata de ti
Voy a repetir
El mismo error de ayer
I'm afraid that if
It's about you
I'm going to repeat
The same mistake as yesterday
In the song "Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte" by Shakira, the singer expresses her struggle to move on from a past relationship. Despite her best efforts, she finds herself unable to forget her former partner and her world continues to revolve around them. She acknowledges that she should move on, but is unable to do so, and ultimately resigns herself to the fact that she will never be able to forget them.
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Estoy Aquí (I Am Here)
Ya sé que no vendrás
Todo lo que fue
El tiempo lo dejó atrás
Sé que no regresarás
I already know that you won't come
Everything that was
The time left it behind
I know that you won't come back
"Estoy Aquí" by Shakira is a song that speaks of the sadness of a person who knows that their love will not return. She knows that time cannot change what happened, but still, she continues to wait. She tries to forget him, but she cannot, and she feels crazy trying to change her past. She continues to wait for her love to return, even though she knows that a thousand years would not be enough for him to forgive her.
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Me Enamoré (I Fell In Love)
La vida me empezó a cambiar
La noche que te conocí
Tenía poco que perder
Y la cosa siguió así
The life began to change me
The night that I met you
I had little to lose
And the thing continued like this
In the song Me Enamoré by Shakira, she reflects on the night she met her love and how it changed her life. She was taken aback by the fact that he was interested in her, and she expresses her joy and disbelief at the fact that she found someone who was perfect for her. She expresses her love for him and her desire to spend more time with him, and she emphasizes that this love is only for her and no one else.
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Clandestino (Clandestine)
Sabes que no nos conviene
Que la gente sepa lo que ambos tenemos
Que comemos de una fruta prohibida
Nos encanta y lo sabemos
You know it doesn't suit us
That people know what we both have
That we eat from a forbidden fruit
We love it and we know it
In the song Clandestino, Shakira sings about a forbidden love that is kept secret from the public. She and her lover know that it is not socially acceptable, but they cannot help but be drawn to each other. Despite the risks, they continue to be together, and Shakira expresses her feelings of joy and excitement when they are together. She also acknowledges the consequences of their actions, but ultimately decides to take the risk and enjoy the moment. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of a clandestine love, and Shakira encourages her lover to not look for problems where there are none.
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Addicted To You
Debe ser el perfume que usas
O el agua con la que te bañas
Pero cada cosita que haces
A mí me parece una hazaña
It must be the perfume that you use
Or the water that you bathe with
But every little thing that you do
To me seems like a feat
In Shakira's song "Addicted to You", she expresses her deep infatuation with a person, describing the physical and emotional effects of her love. She is captivated by the person's perfume, the way they bathe, their eyes, their laugh, their hands, and their scent. She is so in love that she can't sleep or eat, and she is desperate for the person to let her love them.
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El Jefe (The Boss)
Shakira, Shakira, Fuerza Regida
Siete y treinta, ha sonado la alarma
Yo con ganas de estar en la cama
Pero no se puede
Shakira, Shakira, Fuerza Regida
Seven thirty, the alarm has rang
I want to be in bed
But it's not possible
"El Jefe" by Shakira featuring Fuerza Regida is a powerful song that speaks to the frustrations and struggles of everyday life. The lyrics depict the monotony of a mundane routine, working for a terrible boss who doesn't pay well. The song captures the desire to escape the hardships of the neighborhood and achieve financial success. It highlights the irony and frustration of working tirelessly without reaping the rewards. "El Jefe" is a relatable anthem for anyone who has experienced the challenges of a demanding job and dreams of a better life.
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Nada (Nothing)
Voy caminando sobre un mar de hojas secas
Vuelan los ángeles sobre Berlín
Van entonando junto a mí un aleluya
Mientras la lluvia cae dentro de mí
I'm walking on a sea of dry leaves
Angels fly over Berlin
They're singing along with me a hallelujah
While the rain falls inside me
In the song "Nada" by Shakira, the singer reflects on the feeling of loneliness and longing for a loved one. She expresses that no matter how far she goes, or how much fame or money she has, it is all meaningless without the presence of her beloved. The song speaks to the idea that no matter what life throws at us, the only thing that truly matters is the people we love.
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We have more songs with translations on our website and mobile app. You can find the links to the website and our mobile app below. We hope you enjoy learning Spanish with music!