Despacito by Luis Fonsi
Seems like everybody’s learning Spanish now – even Justin Bieber??
Despacito, by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, is the mega summer hit of 2017. With a billion views on Youtube after only 3 months, this is a song you will hear not only in Spanish-speaking countries, but in English speaking ones as well – especially given the version showcasing Justin Bieber singing Despacito in Spanish (see below for the video of this version).
Although we love his version, he unfortunately didn’t actually learn Spanish and has therefore struggled performing the song live. But that won’t be you, because we have the despacito lyrics below for you to use to improve your Spanish. Sing along word-for-word or download the pdf version for more practice.
What does despacito mean?
Despacito means something like ‘extra slowly‘, with a connotation of a good vibe feeling. It is a Spanish diminutive, stemming from Spanish word for slow or slowly, which is despacio.
Despacio (slowly) -> Despacito (extra slowly)
Spanish diminutives and their meanings
A diminutive takes regular Spanish words and changes the ending in order to slightly change the meaning. Common endings are ito or cito , but there are several options depending on whether the word is masculine or feminine and how it is spelled (ito/ita, cito/cita, quito/quita, illo/illa).
The effect of a diminutive is not always the same. It can be used to:
– minify
– add a note of affection or endearment
– add richness or a good vibe feeling
– add a demeaning element.
For example:
casa (house) –> casita (little house, home)
chica (girl) –> chiquita (little girl, honey)
pobre (poor) –> pobrecito (poor baby)
For more on diminutives – how they’re formed, the most common forms, and how their meanings change – check out our 50+ list of Spanish diminutives.
As for the rest of the song Despacito, listen for a few more diminutives:
pasito – stems from paso which means ‘step’. Pasito is like ‘baby step’
suavecito – stems from suave which means to be smooth or soft. So suavecito can be thought of as being ‘extra soft and smooth’ in a good vibes kind of way. ( Suavecito can also sometimes be slang for referring to smooth talking)
poquito – stems from poco which means ‘little’. So poquito means something like ‘a little bit’.
Now, take what you’ve learned and apply it to the transcript and translation below! Happy singing along in Spanish!
Despacito Spanish Lyrics & English Translation
Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote
…
Tengo que bailar contigo hoy
Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome
Muéstrame el camino que yo voy (Oh)
Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal
…
Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan
…
Solo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso
(Oh yeah)
Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal
Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más
Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito
Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo
Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito
Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube)
(Sube, sube)
Quiero ver bailar tu pelo
Quiero ser tu ritmo
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro
hasta provocar tus gritos
y que olvides tu apellido
Si te pido un beso ven dámelo
Yo sé que estás pensándolo
Llevo tiempo intentándolo
Mami, esto es dando y dándolo
Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bom, bom
Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bom, bom
Ven prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe
Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe
Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje
…
Empecemos lento, después salvaje
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
…
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
…
Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza
Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
…
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
…
Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas
Pero pa’ montarlo aquí tengo la pieza
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito
Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo
Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito
Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube)
(Sube, sube)
Quiero ver bailar tu pelo
Quiero ser tu ritmo
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro
Hasta provocar tus gritos
Y que olvides tu apellido
Despacito
Vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico
Hasta que las olas griten “¡ay, bendito!”
Para que mi sello se quede contigo
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
…
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
…
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
…
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
…
Hasta provocar tus gritos
Y que olvides tu apellido
Despacito
Yes, you know that it’s already been a while that I’ve been looking at you
I have to dance with you today
I saw that your look was already calling me
Show me the way that I go (Oh)
You, you are the magnet and I am the metal
I’m getting closer and I’m putting together the plan
Just by thinking it my pulse accelerates (Oh yeah)
Already, I’m liking it more than usual
All my senses are asking for more
This one must take it without any hurry
Nice and slow
I want to breathe your neck extra slowly
Let me tell you things in your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Nice and slow
I want to undress by extra slow kisses
Sign on the walls of your labyrinth
And make your whole body a manuscript (get up, get up, get up)
(Get up, get up)
I want to see your hair dance
I want to be your rhythm
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
If I ask you for a kiss, come give it to me
I know that you are thinking it
It’s been a while I’ve been trying it
Mommy, this is giving and giving it
You know your heart with me makes you boom, boom
You know that baby is looking for my boom, boom
Come try from my mouth to see how it knows you
I want, I want, I want to see how much love it fits you
I’m not in a hurry, I want to give myself to the trip
Let’s start slow, then wild
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
When you kiss me with that skill
I see you are wickedness with delicacy
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
And it’s that beauty is a puzzle
But to assemble it here I have the piece
Nice and slow
I want to breathe your neck extra slowly
Let me tell you things in your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Nice and slow
I want to undress by extra slow kisses
Sign on the walls of your labyrinth
And make your whole body a manuscript (get up, get up, get up)
(Get up, get up)
I want to see your hair dance
I want to be your rhythm
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Nice and slow
We’re going yo do it on a beach in Puerto Rico
Until the waves shout “oh my God!”
So that my stamp stays with you
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Nice and slow
Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote
Tengo que bailar contigo hoy
Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome
Muéstrame el camino que yo voy (Oh)
Yes, you know that it’s already been a while that I’ve been looking at you
I have to dance with you today
I saw that your look was already calling me
Show me the way that I go (Oh)
Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal
Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan
Solo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso
(Oh yeah)
You, you are the magnet and I am the metal
I’m getting closer and I’m putting together the plan
Just by thinking it my pulse accelerates (Oh yeah)
Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal
Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más
Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro
Already, I’m liking it more than usual
All my senses are asking for more
This one must take it without any hurry
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito
Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo
Nice and slow
I want to breathe your neck extra slowly
Let me tell you things in your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito
Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube)
(Sube, sube)
Nice and slow
I want to undress by extra slow kisses
Sign on the walls of your labyrinth
And make your whole body a manuscript (get up, get up, get up)
(Get up, get up)
Quiero ver bailar tu pelo
Quiero ser tu ritmo
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
I want to see your hair dance
I want to be your rhythm
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro
hasta provocar tus gritos
y que olvides tu apellido
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Si te pido un beso ven dámelo
Yo sé que estás pensándolo
Llevo tiempo intentándolo
Mami, esto es dando y dándolo
Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace
bom, bom
Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi
bom, bom
Ven prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe
Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe
Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje
Empecemos lento, después salvaje
If I ask you for a kiss, come give it to me
I know that you are thinking it
It’s been a while I’ve been trying it
Mommy, this is giving and giving it
You know your heart with me makes you
boom, boom
You know that baby is looking for my
boom, boom
Come try from my mouth to see how it knows you
I want, I want, I want to see how much love it fits you
I’m not in a hurry, I want to give myself to the trip
Let’s start slow, then wild
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza
Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
When you kiss me with that skill
I see you are wickedness with delicacy
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas
Pero pa’ montarlo aquí tengo la pieza
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
And it’s that beauty is a puzzle
But to assemble it here I have the piece
Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito
Deja que te diga cosas al oído
Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo
Nice and slow
I want to breathe your neck extra slowly
Let me tell you things in your ear
So that you remember if you’re not with me
Despacito
Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito
Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto
Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito (sube, sube, sube)
(Sube, sube)
Nice and slow
I want to undress by extra slow kisses
Sign on the walls of your labyrinth
And make your whole body a manuscript (get up, get up, get up)
(Get up, get up)
Quiero ver bailar tu pelo
Quiero ser tu ritmo
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
I want to see your hair dance
I want to be your rhythm
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro
Hasta provocar tus gritos
Y que olvides tu apellido
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Despacito
Vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico
Hasta que las olas griten “¡ay, bendito!”
Para que mi sello se quede contigo
Nice and slow
We’re going yo do it on a beach in Puerto Rico
Until the waves shout “oh my God!”
So that my stamp stays with you
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
que le enseñes a mi boca
tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos baby)
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
that you teach to my mouth
your favorite places (favorites, favorites baby)
Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito
Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito
Hasta provocar tus gritos
Y que olvides tu apellido
Despacito
baby step by baby step, smooth, nice and smooth
We are sticking ourselves together, little bit by little bit
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Nice and slow
All song lyrics are the property and copyright of their owners. Lyrics are provided only for educational purposes.
English translation provided by Happy Hour Spanish.
Despacito feat Bieber
A note about the Bieber version. It’s very close to the original, just the English in the beginning. Despite not having learned Spanish, Bieber does a pretty good job with it as you can hear in this version below:
Have questions about the lyrics or English translation of Despacito? What do you think of the song? Ask a ‘preguntito‘ or leave a ‘comentito‘ below! 🙂
Un abrazo,
Hayley y Maider
Each line of English translation should be below the Spanish line. It is hard to scroll down snd up.
Ah, thanks Mark. That’s a mobile thing. On the bigger screen versions they are side-by-side which is ideal. We’ll see what we can do to make it easier on mobile. Gracias!
Beautiful translation! I was literally singing while reading the English version. Gracias for this experience! 🙂
¡Qué bueno! 🙂 De nada
this song is so good but its actually really nasty
I agree savanna
I liked it so much till I read the English translation.. ugh
thats a weird song
the Spanish for this song is so good but the words are so inappropriate
Some of your translations are a little clunky. For example,
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until bringing on your screams
And that you forget your last name
Would be more natural in English as:
Let me surpass your danger zones
Until you scream
And forget your last name
Or even:
Let me go through your danger zones
and provoke you to scream
Until you forget your last name
Hola Dave,
Agreed. Our translations are tailored more towards students understanding the way it was written in Spanish than making sure it sounds like native / natural English. But there’s a balance, and I think you’re right, we could have used provoke there instead of ‘bringing on’. Though something like hasta, we want to be sure it’s clear that it really means ‘until’
That was a gross song. I loved listening to it but now I don’t.
Best song ever
Saw the English translation – no wonder I love this song so much, LOL! Sounds sexier in Spanish but understanding the words is even better.
I studied Spanish in high school years ago and I’ve been looking for a way to brush up on it. This song is perfect. I’m cracking up on my Spanish-speaking friends telling them how I’m practicing. How’s it going you ask? Pasito a pasito. 😁
I love this and appreciate your work! Dancing while learning Spanish is fantastic! Thank-you!
umm…when i found out what the song meant i was a little disgusted, but it still has a good beat..so…who cares?