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.
Becky G puts down her boundaries right from the start in "La Respuesta", and she does not mince words. After hearing rumors that Maluma has been asking around about her, she shuts down any idea of playing traditional gender roles. She flat out sings, "Yo no te lavo los trastes / Tampoco plancho tu ropa" ("I'm not doing your dishes / Nor am I ironing your clothes"). She tells him that she buys her own things and does not need his money, preferring to stay single rather than be controlled or locked away at home ("Si lo que quieres es que esté encerrada / Entonces no" - "If what you want is for me to be locked in / Then no").
Maluma jumps in with his counter-argument, claiming he actually likes a partner who has "funda" (money or cash) and plenty of attitude. He warns her with a laugh that a man who doesn't cause trouble simply "no existe" ("doesn't exist"), admitting he will keep chasing her as long as there is a kiss at the end. Becky G stays completely firm, though. Every single pitch he makes gets hit with the exact same energetic reply: "La respuesta a tu pregunta es no" ("The answer to your question is no").
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