“Arre Borriquito” is a popular traditional Christmas carol, or villancico. This version is performed by Mexican singer Kalimba, Colombian singer Esteman and Peruvian singer Nicole Favre. It appears on the 2020 Christmas compilation Eterna Navidad Celebremos.

Cultural References, Idioms and Explanations

‘borriquito’ – This is the diminutive form of the masculine noun ‘borrico’ meaning ‘donkey’. The diminutive form is achieved by adding ‘-ito’ to the end of masculine nouns, or ‘-ita’ to the end of feminine nouns. While it can mean that the noun is less than or smaller than the normal noun (so here it could be interpreted as ‘little donkey’), often it is simply a stylistic change, with no change in meaning. Here I think it adds a level of playfulness to the lyrics. To try and keep the same playfulness in the translation I have translated it as ‘little donkey’, even though the donkey is not necessarily small.

‘gente’ – This term means ‘people’ in Spanish. However, despite the fact that it refers to more than one person, this is a singular noun and conjugates in the third person singular, like ‘él’ or ‘ella’.

‘Reyes Magos’ – Literally translating as ‘wise kings’, this is the name given to what are referred to in English as the Three Wise Men, the Three Kings, or the Magi.

‘de prisa’ – Litrally translating as ‘of hurry’, this phrase means ‘in a hurry’.

‘Anda más de prisa que llegamos tarde’ – I usually try to keep my translations rather literal to assist with learning vocabulary, however the literal translation of this would be something like ‘go more in a hurry because we are arriving late’, which is very awkward. For this reason I simplified my translation to ‘hurry because we’re late’, though I still think it is helpful to understand the meanings of the various parts of this phrase.

‘el otro’ – The adjective ‘otro’ means ‘other’ or ‘another’, however, when used as a noun it means ‘the other one’.

‘hay’ – This is the impersonal third person singular form of the verb ‘haber’ meaning ‘to have’. It means ‘there is’ or ‘there are’. It would translate literally as ‘it has’.

‘irse’ – The verb ‘ir’ means ‘to go’, however the pronominal ‘irse’ means ‘to leave’.

‘portal’ – In everyday speech this term means ‘vestibule’, ‘hallway’ or ‘entrance hall’. It can also be an information portal in the world of technology. However, in the context of Christmas, and especially when referred to as ‘el portal de Belén’, this term can either refer to a nativity scene or the stable at Bethlehem where Christ was born according to the stories.

‘dirigirse a’ – Literally translating as ‘to direct oneself to’, this phrase means ‘to go to’, ‘to walk to’ or ‘to head for’.

‘pastorcito’ – This is the diminutive form of the masculine noun ‘pastor’. As with ‘borriquito’, I have translated this as ‘little shepherd’ to keep a feeling of playfulness, though it is doubtful the shepherd is actually small.

‘Niño Dios’ – Literally translating as ‘child God’, this is the Spanish name given to the baby Jesus.

Activities

We’ve created flashcards, games, and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammatical concepts found in this song. Check out our Activities Page to take your learning further!

Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown

Mouse over a term for grammatical information. A chart of the terms and grammatical information can be found here.

ArreArreGiddy up, Move, Let's go | interj Borriquitoborricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive

[Verse 1]
Tengotenerto have | verb, irreg | first pers sing pres puestoponerto put, place | verb, irreg | pp ununa | art, indef | masc sing nacimientonacimientobirth; origin, start, beginning; nativity | noun | masc sing
Enenin, on, during | prep ununa | art, indef | masc sing rincónrincóncorner | noun | masc sing dedefrom, of | prep mimimy | adj, poss | masc and fem sing casacasahouse | noun | fem sing
Conconwith | prep pastorespastorshepherd; pastor | noun | masc sing yyand | conj pastoraspastorashepherdess | noun | masc sing
Yyand | conj ununa | art, indef | masc sing palaciopalaciopalace; mansion | noun | masc sing enenin, on, during | prep lalathe | art, def | fem sing montañamontañamountain | noun | fem sing
Ahíahíthere, then | adv vivevivirto live | verb, reg | third pers sing pres elelthe | art, def | masc sing reyreyking | noun | masc sing HerodesHerodesHerod | noun, prop
Ahíahíthere, then | adv vivenvivirto live | verb, reg | third pers pl pres sussushis, her, its, their | adj, poss | masc and fem sing soldadossoldadosoldier | noun | masc pl
Todostodoevery, each; whole, entire | adj | masc pl estánestarto be | verb, irreg | third pers pl pres | aux verb used with ger to form pres prog esperandoesperarto wait | verb, reg | ger
Quequethat, than; because; let | conj lleguenllegarto arrive, reach | verb, spl chg | third pers pl subj loslosthe | art, def | masc pl Reyesreyking | noun | masc pl | Reyes Magos = Three Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi Magosmagomagician illusionist; genius; wise man, magi | noun | masc pl | Reyes Magos = Three Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi

[Chorus]
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj burro,burrodonkey | noun | masc sing arrearregiddy up, move, let's go | interj
Andaandarto walk; go, travel; work; be, feel; be about, be around | verb, reg | sec pers sing impera másmásmore, plus | adv dedefrom, of | prep prisaprisarush, hurry, urgency | noun | fem sing | de prisa = in a hurry quequethat, than; because; let | conj llegamosllegarto arrive, reach | verb, spl chg | first pers pl pres tardetardelate | adv
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive vamosirto go | verb, irreg | first pers pl pres aato, into, by | prep BelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
Quequethat, than; because; let | conj mañanamañanatomorrow | adv esserto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres fiestafiestaparty | noun | fem sing yyand | conj ala + elto the | prep + def art otrootroother, another | adj | | el otro = the other one tambiéntambiéntoo, also, as well | adv

[Verse 2]
Enenin, on, during | prep elelthe | art, def | masc sing cielocielosky, heaven | noun | masc sing hayhaberthere is, are | verb, irreg | third pers sing impersonal pres unaunaone | art, indef | fem sing estrellaestrellastar | noun | fem sing
Quequethat, than; because; let | conj aano equivalent in EN | prep | personal a, used when dir obj a person loslosthe | art, def | masc pl Reyesreyking | noun | masc pl | Reyes Magos = Three Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi Magosmagomagician illusionist; genius; wise man, magi | noun | masc pl | Reyes Magos = Three Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi guíaguiarto guide, lead | verb, reg | third pers sing pres
Haciahaciafor, to, towards; around, approximately | prep BelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing paraparafor, to, in order to | prep ververto see | verb, irreg | infin
Aano equivalent in EN | prep | personal a, used when dir obj a person Dios,DiosGod | noun | masc sing hijohijoson, child | noun | masc sing dedefrom, of | prep MaríaMaríaMary | noun, prop | name
Cuandocuandowhen | adv pasanpasarto go ahead, proceed; cross; pass; happen | verb, reg | third pers pl pres loslosthe | art, def | masc pl monarcasmonarcamonarch | noun | masc and fem pl
Salesalirleave; come from | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres lalathe | art, def | fem sing gentegentepeople | noun | fem sing ala + elto the | prep + def art caminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing
Yyand | conj alegresalegrehappy, cheerful; bright | adj | masc and fem pl sesehimself, herself, itself, themselves | pron | reflex, third pers sing vanirto go | verb, irreg | third pers pl pres | irse = to leave conconwith | prep ellosellosthey, them | pron | sub, disj
Paraparafor, to, in order to | prep ververto see | verb, irreg | infin ala + elto the | prep + def art tiernotiernotender, soft; loving, affectionate | adj | masc sing niñoniñochild, kid; son | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj burro,burrodonkey | noun | masc sing arrearregiddy up, move, let's go | interj
Andaandarto walk; go, travel; work; be, feel; be about, be around | verb, reg | sec pers sing impera másmásmore, plus | adv dedefrom, of | prep prisaprisarush, hurry, urgency | noun | fem sing | de prisa = in a hurry quequethat, than; because; let | conj llegamosllegarto arrive, reach | verb, spl chg | first pers pl pres tardetardelate | adv
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive vamosirto go | verb, irreg | first pers pl pres aato, into, by | prep BelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
Quequethat, than; because; let | conj mañanamañanatomorrow | adv esserto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres fiestafiestaparty | noun | fem sing yyand | conj ala + elto the | prep + def art otrootroother, another | adj | | el otro = the other one tambiéntambiéntoo, also, as well | adv

[Verse 3]
Haciahaciafor, to, towards; around, approximately | prep elelthe | art, def | masc sing portalportalvestibule, hallway, entrance hall; nativity scene | noun | masc sing | portal de Belén = Nativity scene, the stable at Bethlehem delde + elfrom the, of the | prep + def art | masc sing BelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing | portal de Belén = Nativity scene, the stable at Bethlehem
Sesehimself, herself, itself, themselves | pron | reflex, third pers sing dirigedirigirto run, manage, direct, oversee, supervise | verb, spl chg | third pers sing pres | dirigirse a = go to, walk to, head for ununa | art, indef | masc sing pastorcitopastorshepherd; pastor | noun | masc sing | diminutive
Cantandocantarto sing; to confess | verb, reg | ger dedefrom, of | prep estaestethis | adj | fem sing maneramaneraway, method | noun | fem sing
Paraparafor, to, in order to | prep alegraralegrarmake happy, cheer up; brighten up, liven up | verb, reg | infin elelthe | art, def | masc sing caminocaminoroad; way, path; journey, trip | noun | masc sing
Hahaberto have | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres | aux verb used with the pp in the pret perf nacidonacidoborn, alive | adj | masc sing elelthe | art, def | masc sing Niñoniñochild, kid; son | noun | masc sing | Niño Dios = baby Jesus DiosDiosGod | noun | masc sing | Niño Dios = baby Jesus
Enenin, on, during | prep ununa | art, indef | masc sing portalportalvestibule, hallway, entrance hall; nativity scene | noun | masc sing | portal de Belén = Nativity scene, the stable at Bethlehem miserablemiserablemiserable, mean, mean-spirited, awful, horrible, unhappy, wretched | adj | masc and fem sing
Paraparafor, to, in order to | prep enseñarenseñarto teach | verb, reg | infin aano equivalent in en | prep | personal a, used when dir obj a person loslosthe | art, def | masc pl hombreshombreman; human (being), mankind | noun | masc pl
Lalathe | art, def | fem sing humildadhumildadhumility, humbleness, modesty; poverty, meekness | noun | fem sing dedefrom, of | prep susuhis, her, its, their | adj, poss | masc and fem sing linajelinajelineage, descent | noun | masc sing

[Chorus] X 3
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj burro,burrodonkey | noun | masc sing arrearregiddy up, move, let's go | interj
Andaandarto walk; go, travel; work; be, feel; be about, be around | verb, reg | sec pers sing impera másmásmore, plus | adv dedefrom, of | prep prisaprisarush, hurry, urgency | noun | fem sing | de prisa = in a hurry quequethat, than; because; let | conj llegamosllegarto arrive, reach | verb, spl chg | first pers pl pres tardetardelate | adv
Arre,arregiddy up, move, let's go | interj borriquito,borricodonkey | noun | masc sing | diminutive vamosirto go | verb, irreg | first pers pl pres aato, into, by | prep BelénBelénBethlehem | noun, prop | masc sing
Quequethat, than; because; let | conj mañanamañanatomorrow | adv esserto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres fiestafiestaparty | noun | fem sing yyand | conj ala + elto the | prep + def art otrootroother, another | adj | | el otro = the other one tambiéntambiéntoo, also, as well | adv

Lyrics with Translation

Songs in any language often leave room for multiple interpretations. Following is my interpretation of the song lyrics.

Arre Borriquito
Giddy Up Little Donkey

[Verse 1]
Tengo puesto un nacimiento
I have a nativity set up
En un rincón de mi casa
In a corner of my house
Con pastores y pastoras
With shepherds and shepherdesses
Y un palacio en la montaña
And a palace on the mountain
Ahí vive el rey Herodes
King Herod lives there
Ahí viven sus soldados
His soldiers live there
Todos están esperando
Everyone is waiting
Que lleguen los Reyes Magos
For the Three Wise Men to arrive

[Chorus]
Arre, borriquito, arre, burro, arre
Giddy up little donkey, giddy up donkey, giddy up
Anda más de prisa que llegamos tarde
Hurry, because we’re late
Arre, borriquito, vamos a Belén
Giddy up little donkey, we’re going to Bethlehem
Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también
Because tomorrow is a party and the next day as well

[Verse 2]
En el cielo hay una estrella
In the sky there is a star
Que a los Reyes Magos guía
That guides the Three Wise Men
Hacia Belén para ver
To Bethlehem to see
A Dios, hijo de María
God, son of Mary
Cuando pasan los monarcas
When the monarchs pass
Sale la gente al camino
The people come out to the road
Y alegres se van con ellos
And happily leave with them
Para ver al tierno niño
To see the loving child

[Chorus]
Arre, borriquito, arre, burro, arre
Giddy up little donkey, giddy up donkey, giddy up
Anda más de prisa que llegamos tarde
Hurry, because we’re late
Arre, borriquito, vamos a Belén
Giddy up little donkey, we’re going to Bethlehem
Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también
Because tomorrow is a party and the next day as well

[Verse 3]
Hacia el portal del Belén
Towards the stable at Bethlehem
Se dirige un pastorcito
A little shepherd is heading
Cantando de esta manera
Singing this way
Para alegrar el camino
To brighten the journey
Ha nacido el Niño Dios
The baby Jesus is born
En un portal miserable
In a miserable stable
Para enseñar a los hombres
To teach mankind
La humildad de su linaje
The humility of his lineage

[Chorus] X 3
Arre, borriquito, arre, burro, arre
Giddy up little donkey, giddy up donkey, giddy up
Anda más de prisa que llegamos tarde
Hurry, because we’re late
Arre, borriquito, vamos a Belén
Giddy up little donkey, we’re going to Bethlehem
Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también
Because tomorrow is a party and the next day as well

Grammatical Concepts Used in this Song

• Contractions:
  • Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también
  • Sale la gente al camino
  • Para ver al tierno niño
  • Hacia el portal del Belén

• Possessive Adjectives:
  • En un rincón de mi casa
  • Ahí viven sus soldados
  • La humildad de su linaje

• Reflexive Pronouns:
  • Y alegres se van con ellos
  • Se dirige un pastorcito

• Irregular Verbs:
  • tener:
    • Tengo puesto un nacimiento
  • estar:
    • Todos están esperando
  • ir/irse:
    • Arre, borriquito, vamos a Belén
    • Y alegres se van con ellos
  • ser:
    • Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también
  • haber:
    • En el cielo hay una estrella
    • Ha nacido el Niño Dios
  • salir:
    • Sale la gente al camino
• Spelling change Verbs:
  • dirigirse
    • Se dirige un pastorcito

• Gerund:
  • Cantando de esta manera
• Present Progressive:
  • Todos están esperando

• Reflexive:
  • Y alegres se van con ellos
  • Se dirige un pastorcito

• Preterite Perfect
  • Ha nacido el Niño Dios

• Imperative:
  • Anda más de prisa que llegamos tarde

• Subjunctive:
  • Que lleguen los Reyes Magos