Below, I translated the lyrics of the song La Respuesta by Becky G from Spanish to English.
These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!
Verse 1
They told me in the street
That you're going around asking for me
I don't know what they told you
But I'm not going around looking for love
I'm free, I don't even need your wallet
In Latin America, wallet is usually 'la billetera'. In Spain: 'la cartera'
Much less some guy like you to maintain me
'Mantenga' is the present tense third person subjunctive conjugation of mantener, meaning 'to maintain'
Stop your little game already
You won't make me fall in love
I don't need a man who will screw me
I buy my things
You don't control me
Rather than with you, I better stay alone
Chorus 1
I don't wash the dishes for you
Nor do I iron your clothes
If that's what you're looking for
Then go look for it in someone else
The 'lo' in 've a buscar[lo]' (the direct object in the sentence) refers to what he is looking for (someone willing to wash dishes, iron his clothes, etc)
Nor do I know how to cook for you
But yes I know how to give you love
'Sí' in this context is given for emphasis, as in 'But I do know how to give you love'.
If what you want is that I be trapped
Or: If you want me to be trapped / If what you want is that I be shut in
Then no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
Verse 2
Calm babe, because I'm clear
Or: Calm down babe, because I understand
Do your things because I wash my car
I know how you feel and I don't mind
'Dar mente' is Latin American expression meaning 'give something a lot of thought/think about it carefully'
I'm looking for an independent woman
I always wanted someone like you
Who has a shield and who has the attitude
If you're looking for a man who doesn't screw you
That doesn’t exist, you're going to stay alone
Chorus 2
I don't wash the dishes for you
Nor do I iron your clothes
If that's what you're looking for
Then go look for it in someone else
Nor do I know how to cook for you
But yes I know how to give you love
Or: But yes, I do know how to give you love
If what you want is that I be trapped
Then no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
Verse 3
For a while I sensed
Or: For a while I had a feeling
That you wanted me
Or: That you loved me. 'Querer' can also mean 'to love'.
And the intentions that you had
That because my bed was cold
Because of that you thought
That you deserved this reward
Sorry baby if I insist so much
But it's that you have a booty
That makes me crazy, crazy
Or: That drives me crazy, crazy
I leave everyone waiting
I calmly admit it to you
That you can treat me badly
If in the end you give me a little kiss
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
The answer to your question is no
No, no, no and no
I always insist but she says no
No, no, no, no
Lyrics and Translations Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trastes is a common word for "dishes" in Mexico and many parts of Latin America. It's a great example of a regional vocabulary word you might not learn in a standard textbook!
In this powerful anthem of independence, Becky G sings, "Yo no te lavo los trastes" (I don't wash your dishes). She uses this simple, everyday chore to make a bold statement, rejecting traditional domestic roles and declaring that she will not be controlled.
This song is a hilarious back-and-forth between Becky G and Maluma. She's heard he's been asking about her, and she wants to make one thing perfectly clear: she is not interested. Becky G lays out her terms for any potential partner, and they don't involve traditional gender roles. She flatly states, "Yo no te lavo los trastes / Tampoco plancho tu ropa" (I don't wash your dishes / I don't iron your clothes either). She's a completely independent woman who buys her own things and doesn't need a man to support her or control her. If he's looking for a housewife, he needs to look elsewhere.
Maluma's response is just as confident, at least at first. He tries to play it cool, saying he's also looking for an independent woman. But then he shows his true colors with a funny, cocky line: "Si estás buscándote algún hombre que no joda / Eso no existe, te vas a quedar sola" (If you're looking for a man who won't mess with you / That doesn't exist, you're going to end up alone). Despite her very clear rejection, he keeps insisting, proving her point entirely. The song's title, which means "The Answer," is her final word on the subject: "La respuesta a tu pregunta es no" (The answer to your question is no).
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