“Qué Pena” is a song by Colombian singers Maluma and J Balvin which was released on September 27, 2019. It reached number one on the Colombian charts and number 13 on the Billboard US Hot Latin Songs chart, and was certified Gold in Mexico and Spain.

Song information from Wikipedia.

About the Artists

Maluma

Juan Luis Londoño Arias, who performs as Maluma, is a singer, songwriter, and actor from Medellín, Colombia. He got his start recording and publishing his own music. He has had numerous hits in the US and throughout Latin America. His biggest hit to date was the single “Chantaje”, a collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira. He has won a Latin Grammy Award and two Latin American Music Awards.

Biographical information from Wikipedia.

J. Balvin

José Álvaro Osorio Balvín is a reggaeton singer and rapper from Medellín Colombia. He got is start playing in the clubs in Medellín and promoting his own music. His breakthrough came in 2014 with the single “6 AM”. He has had numerous other hits on the charts in the US and Latin America, including “Ay Vamos”, “Ginza” and “Mi Gente”. His 2016 single “Ginza” set a new Guinness World Record for the longest stay at number one on  Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, and he was the first Latin artist to receive a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. He was the first Latin artist to headline events such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza. He has won five Billboard Latin Music Awards, four Latin Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and four Latin American Music Awards.

Biographical information from Wikipedia.

Cultural References, Idioms and Explanations

‘solita’ – This is an example of the diminutive form in Spanish. This form is achieved by adding ‘-ito’ to the end of masculine nouns, or ‘-ita’ to the end of feminine nouns. While it can mean less than or smaller than the normal noun, often it is simply a stylistic change, with no change in meaning. When used with names, it is a form of endearment.

‘se puso bonita’ – While the verb ‘poner’ means ‘to put’ or ‘to place’, ‘ponerse’ followed by an adjective means ‘to become’ or ‘to get’. In this context the woman ‘got all done up’ or ‘all dolled up’ in order to look attractive for him.

‘lo que’ – Literally translating as ‘it that’, this phrase better translates as ‘what’, ‘whatever’, or ‘which’.

‘pegarse’ – This means ‘to stick’ or ‘to become attached’, for instance one could say that food was stuck to the pan (se pegó la comida). In this context he’s telling her to ‘stick with’ him.

‘la buena’ – While ‘buena’ usually means ‘good’, in Colombian slang it is an adjective meaning ‘attractive’, or as here, a noun meaning ‘beauty’ or attractiveness’.

‘chimbitas’ – This is a slang and somewhat vulgar term to refer to a very attractive woman. This term is used to refer to a woman who is not present; one wouldn’t use it to refer to a woman directly. This term can also refer to the female anatomy.

‘tengo la verde’ – It seem likely to me that this is a shortened version of the phrase ‘tener luz verde para’ which means ‘to have the green light to do’ or ‘to have the go-ahead to do’.

‘tener ganas’ -Literally translating as ‘to have desires, interests or urges’, this phrase means ‘to want’.

‘de lejos se ve’ – This is an example of the passive ‘se’, which tells something that happened or is happening without telling who or what performs the action. It is like using the passive voice in English, for example ‘the books were opened’ (someone opened them, but we don’t know who). The verb conjugates for whatever item is being acted upon. ‘Se resuelvan las problemas’ (plural), and ‘el amor se ve‘ (singular).

‘acordarse de’ – While ‘acordar’ means ‘to agree’, ‘acordarse de’ means ‘to remember’.

‘esta noche me lo aprendo’ – While this could mean ‘tonight I’m learning it’, it could also be understood as ‘I will learn it tonight’. In Spanish the present tense can be understood as the future if there is a future marker, such ‘mañana’ (tomorrow), or here ‘esta noche’ (tonight).

‘saber’ vs ‘conocer’ – In Spanish there are two ways to translate the verb ‘to know’, and they both appear in this song. They are used in different contexts and are not interchangeable. As a basic rule of thumb I usually try and think of ‘saber’ as ‘to know’, and ‘conocer’ as ‘to be familiar with’. ‘Saber’ is used with things like facts or things one knows how to do, whereas ‘conocer’ is used with things like people or places one knows or is familiar with.

Subjunctive Phrases

There are several instances of the subjunctive mood in this song, so I decided it was best to group them together. The subjunctive is used to express desires, requests, doubts, uncertainty, “unreality”, the abstract, and emotions.

• ‘pa’ que’ – Short for ‘ para que’ this phrase means ‘so that’ or ‘in order that’, and takes the subjunctive.

• ‘lo que quiera’ – The use of the subjunctive here changes the meaning slightly. With the indicative the impression is that the speaker knows what the other person wants, whereas the subjunctive gives the impression that the speaker is not so sure what the other person wants.

• ‘ayudar a que’ – Like ‘para que’ this means ‘so that’. As it is expressing purpose it is followed by the subjunctive.

• ‘Que yo no lo recuerde’ – The ‘que’ at the beginning of this is a shortened version of ‘el hecho de que’, which is followed by the subjunctive. This is due to the fact that the information is already known, and is therefore not being declared. What is being declared is the second part of the phrase: ‘no te quita la buena’. The fact that I don’t remember (a fact that you already know) doesn’t take away your beauty (a new piece of information being declared).

• ‘Disculpa que’ – This is a request, so it is folowed by the subjunctive.

Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown

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

Quéquéwhich, what, how | adj, adv | invariable Penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing

[Verse 1]
Ellaellaher, she it | pron | third pers sing fem estáestarto be | verb | third pers sing pres solitasolitoalone, all on your own | adj yyand | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing andoandarto walk, to be, to go | verb | first pers sing pres solosoloalone | adv
Ellaellaher, she it | pron | third pers sing fem dicedecirto say, tell | verb | third pers sing pres quequethat, than | conj sabesaberto know | verb | third pers sing pres quiénquiénwho, whom | pron | interrogative soy,serto be | verb | first pers sing pres peroperobut | conj nononot | adv lalathe | def art | fem sing conozcoconocerto know, be familiar with | verb | first pers sing pres
Hoyhoytoday; nowadays, now | adv sesehimself, herself, itself, themselves | pron | reflex, third pers sing pusoponerto put, to place; to make | verb | first pers sing pret | ponerse + adj = to become, get bonitabonitopretty, beautiful; nice, lovely | adj | fem sing pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing lalathe | def art | fem sing vieraverto see | verb | third pers sing subj
Yyand | conj mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing dicedecirto say, tell | verb | third pers sing pres quequethat, than | conj sisiif | conj lalathe | def art | fem sing recuerdo,recordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing pres hacemo’hacer (hacemos)to do, to make | verb | first pers pl pres lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter | lo que = what, whatever, which quequethat, than | conj | lo que = what, whatever, which quieraquererwant, wish; like, love | verb | first pers sing subj

[Pre-Chorus]
Acércate,acercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera acércateacercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera ununa | indef art | masc sing pocopocolittle, a little bit | noun | masc sing másmásmore, plus | adv
Quequethat, than | conj asíasílike this, like that, this way, that way | adv dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv nononot | adv logramoslograrto get, achieve, attain | verb | first pers pl pres na’nadanothing | noun | fem sing
Sisiif | conj teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing pegas,pegarto hit; to stick | verb | first pers sing pret | pegarse = to stick, to become attached puedespoderto be able to | verb | sec pers sing pres ayudarayudarto help | verb | infin aato, into, by | prep quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj
Acércate,acercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera acércateacercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera ununa | indef art | masc sing pocopocolittle, a little bit | noun | masc sing másmásmore, plus | adv
Quequethat, than | conj asíasílike this, like that, this way, that way | adv dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv nononot | adv logramoslograrto get, achieve, attain | verb | first pers pl pres na’nadanothing | noun | fem sing
Sisiif | conj teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing pegas,pegarto hit; to stick | verb | first pers sing pret | pegarse = to stick, to become attached puedespoderto be able to | verb | sec pers sing pres ayudarayudarto help | verb | infin aato, into, by | prep quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj

[Chorus]
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing nononot | adv lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj nononot | adv teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing quitaquitarto take, take from, remove | verb | third pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Dedefrom, of | prep todastodoevery, each; whole, entire | adj | fem pl laslasthe | def art | fem pl chimbitas,chimba/chimbitavery attractive woman; vagina | noun | fem sing | slang and somewhat vulgar term tútúyou | pron | sec pers sing eresserto be | verb | sec pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing másmásmore | adv buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive

[Verse 2]
Disculpadisculparto excuse, forgive | verb | sec pers sing impera quequethat, than | conj nononot | adv teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj
Peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing amigaamigofriend | noun | fem sing yayanow, already | adv mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing dijodecirto say, to tell | verb | third pers sing pret todotodoeverything | pron yyand | conj tengotenerto have | verb | first pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing verdeverdegreen; unripe; immature | adj | masc and fem sing | tener luz verde para = have the green light to do, have the go-ahead to do
Nononot | adv mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing enamoroenamorarto win s.o.'s heart, win s.o.'s love | verb | first pers sing pres | enamorarse = to fall in love porqueporquebecause | conj elelthe | def art | masc sing quequethat, than | conj sesehimself, herself, itself, themselves | pron | reflex, third pers sing enamoraenamorarto win s.o.'s heart, win s.o.'s love | verb | first pers sing pres | enamorarse = to fall in love pierdeperderto lose | verb | third pers sing pres
¿Entonces,entoncesthen, so | adv vinistevenirto come | verb | sec pers sing pret acáacáhere; over here; now | adv sólosóloonly | adv paraparafor, to, in order to | prep verme?ver + meto see + me | verb + pron | infin

[Bridge]
Mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing tienestenerto have | verb | sec pers sing pres gana’gana (ganas)desire, interest, urge | noun | fem sing | tener ganas = to want yyand | conj dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv sesepassive se | pron | talks about something that happened without saying who or what carried out the action veverto see | verb | third pers sing pres
Súbelesubir + leto climb, go up; get on; to raise; to increase + it | verb + pron | sec pers sing pres ala + elto the | prep + def art | masc sing bajobajobass | noun | masc sing pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech poderpoderto be able to | verb | infin meterlemeter + leto put; to get into; to make (noise); to take up; to score | verb + pron | infin
Conconwith | prep ununa | indef art | masc sing blah-blah-blah pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing acuerdeacordarto agree | verb | first pers sing subj | acordarse de = to remember
Pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech mímíme | pron | first pers sing, obj of prep todo’todo (todos)every, each; whole, entire | adj | masc pl loslosthe | def art | masc pl díasdíaday; daytime | noun | masc pl sonserto be | verb | third pers pl pres vierne’viernesFriday | noun | masc sing
Mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing tienestenerto have | verb | sec pers sing pres gana’gana (ganas)desire, interest, urge | noun | fem sing | tener ganas = to want yyand | conj dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv sesepassive se | pron | talks about something that happened without saying who or what carried out the action veverto see | verb | third pers sing pres
Súbelesubir + leto climb, go up; get on; to raise; to increase + it | verb + pron | sec pers sing pres ala + elto the | prep + def art | masc sing bajobajobass | noun | masc sing pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech poderpoderto be able to | verb | infin meterlemeter + leto put; to get into; to make (noise); to take up; to score | verb + pron | infin
Conconwith | prep ununa | indef art | masc sing blah-blah-blah pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing acuerdeacordarto agree | verb | first pers sing subj | acordarse de = to remember
Pa’parafor, to, in order to | prep | shortened to pa' in colloquial speech mímíme | pron | first pers sing, obj of prep todo’todo (todos)every, each; whole, entire | adj | masc pl loslosthe | def art | masc pl díasdíaday; daytime | noun | masc pl sonserto be | verb | third pers pl pres vierne’viernesFriday | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Dedefrom, of | prep todastodoevery, each; whole, entire | adj | fem pl laslasthe | def art | fem pl chimbitas,chimba/chimbitavery attractive woman; vagina | noun | fem sing | slang and somewhat vulgar term tútúyou | pron | sec pers sing eresserto be | verb | sec pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing másmásmore | adv buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing nononot | adv lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj nononot | adv teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing quitaquitarto take, take from, remove | verb | third pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive

[Verse 3]
Algoalgosomething | pron tométomarto take; to drink | verb | first pers sing pret esaesethat | adj | fem sing nochenochenight | noun | fem sing quequethat, than | conj dañódañarto damage; to hurt; to ruin | verb | third pers sing pret mimimy | poss adj | masc and fem sing mentementemind | noun | fem sing
Quedéquedarto remain, to stay; to be left; to be located; suit, fit | verb | first pers sing pret loco,lococrazy | adj | masc sing inconscienteinconscienteunconscious | adj | masc and fem sing
Nononot | adv significasignificarto mean; to signify, indicate | verb | third pers sing pres quequethat, than | conj porqueporquebecause | conj nononot | adv teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj
Nononot | adv mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing alegraalegrarto make happy, cheer up | verb | third pers sing pres volvervolverto return, come back | verb | infin aato, into, by | prep vertever + teto see + you | verb + pron | infin
YoyoI | pron | first pers sing soyserto be | verb | first pers sing pres curiosocuriosocurious | adj | masc sing yyand | conj esoesothat | pron tútúyou | pron | sec pers sing lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter sabessaberto know | verb | sec pers sing pres
Hoyhoytoday; nowadays, now | adv yoyoI | pron | first pers sing estoyestarto be | verb | first pers sing pres | estar puesto = to be ready, to be (all) set puestopuestostanding; dressed | adj | masc sing | estar puesto = to be ready, to be (all) set paraparafor, to, in order to | prep hacerhacerto do; to make | verb | infin maldadesmaldadevil, wickedness, nastiness; spite, malice | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing bienbienwell; very | adv nononot | adv lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter recuerdorecordarto remember | verb | first pers sing pres
Peroperobut | conj estaestethis | adj | fem sing nochenochenight | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter aprendoaprenderto learn | verb | first pers sing pres

[Pre-Chorus]
Acércate,acercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera acércateacercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera ununa | indef art | masc sing pocopocolittle, a little bit | noun | masc sing másmásmore, plus | adv
Quequethat, than | conj asíasílike this, like that, this way, that way | adv dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv nononot | adv logramoslograrto get, achieve, attain | verb | first pers pl pres na’nadanothing | noun | fem sing
Sisiif | conj teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing pegas,pegarto hit; to stick | verb | first pers sing pret | pegarse = to stick, to become attached puedespoderto be able to | verb | sec pers sing pres ayudarayudarto help | verb | infin aato, into, by | prep quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj
Acércate,acercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera acércateacercarseapproach; take interest; go to | verb | sec pers sing impera ununa | indef art | masc sing pocopocolittle, a little bit | noun | masc sing másmásmore, plus | adv
Quequethat, than | conj asíasílike this, like that, this way, that way | adv dedefrom, of | prep lejoslejosfar, far away, far from | adv nononot | adv logramoslograrto get, achieve, attain | verb | first pers pl pres na’nadanothing | noun | fem sing
Sisiif | conj teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing pegas,pegarto hit; to stick | verb | first pers sing pret | pegarse = to stick, to become attached puedespoderto be able to | verb | sec pers sing pres ayudarayudarto help | verb | infin aato, into, by | prep quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj

[Chorus]
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Quequethat, than | conj yoyoI | pron | first pers sing nononot | adv lolohim, it | pron | masc sing, neuter recuerderecordarto remember; to remind | verb | first pers sing subj nononot | adv teteyou, to you, yourself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, sec pers sing quitaquitarto take, take from, remove | verb | third pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive
Ey, quéquéwhich, what, how | adv | invariable penapenasorrow; embarrassment, shame; difficulty, struggle; punishment, sentence | noun | fem sing
Tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing nombrenombrename | noun | masc sing no,nonot | adv peroperobut | conj tutuyour | poss adj | masc and fem sing caracaraface | noun | fem sing mememe, to me, myself | pron | dir and indir obj, reflex, first pers sing suenasonarto sound; to ring; to seem/look/sound familiar | verb | third pers sing pres
Salgamossalirleave; come from | verb | first pers pl pres yayanow, already | adv dedefrom, of | prep esteestethis | adj | masc sing dilemadilemadilemma, problem | noun | masc sing
Dedefrom, of | prep todastodoevery, each; whole, entire | adj | fem pl laslasthe | def art | fem pl chimbitas,chimba/chimbitavery attractive woman; vagina | noun | fem sing | slang and somewhat vulgar term tútúyou | pron | sec pers sing eresserto be | verb | sec pers sing pres lalathe | def art | fem sing másmásmore | adv buenabuenogood | adj | fem sing | in Colombian slang means attractive

Lyrics with Translation

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

Qué Pena
What an Embarrassement

[Verse 1]
Ella está solita y yo ando solo
She’s alone and I’m alone
Ella dice que sabe quién soy, pero no la conozco
She says she knows who I am, but I don’t know her
Hoy se puso bonita pa’ que yo la viera
Today she got pretty so that I would see her
Y me dice que si la recuerdo, hacemo’ lo que quiera
And she tells me if I remember her (remind her), we’ll do whatever I want

[Pre-Chorus]
Acércate, acércate un poco más
Come closer, come a little bit closer
Que así de lejos no logramos na’
That this far apart we don’t achieve anything
Si te pegas, puedes ayudar a que yo te recuerde
If you stick close to me, you can help me remember you
Acércate, acércate un poco más
Come closer, come a little bit closer
Que así de lejos no logramos na’
That this far apart we don’t achieve anything
Si te pegas, puedes ayudar a que yo te recuerde
If you stick close to me, you can help me remember you

[Chorus]
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
Que yo no lo recuerde no te quita la buena
That I don’t remember it doesn’t take away your beauty
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
De todas las chimbitas, tú eres la más buena
Of all the girls, you’re the prettiest

[Verse 2]
Disculpa que no te recuerde
Sorry I don’t remember you
Pero tu amiga ya me dijo todo y tengo la verde
But your friend already told me everything and I have the green light
No me enamoro porque el que se enamora pierde
I’m not falling in love because the one who falls in love loses
¿Entonces, viniste acá solo para verme?
So you came here just to see me?

[Bridge]
Me tienes gana’ y de lejos se ve
You want me, and it can be seen from afar
Súbele al bajo pa’ poder meterle
Turn up the bass to be able to put it in
Con un blah-blah-blah pa’ que yo me acuerde
With a blah-blah-blah so that I remember
Pa’ mí todo’ los días son vierne’
For me every day is Friday
Me tienes gana’ y de lejos se ve
You want me, and it can be seen from afar
Súbele al bajo pa’ poder meterle
Turn up the bass to be able to put it in
Con un blah-blah-blah pa’ que yo me acuerde
With a blah-blah-blah so that I remember
Pa’ mí todo’ los días son vierne’
For me every day is Friday

[Chorus]
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
De todas las chimbitas, tú eres la más buena
Of all the girls, you’re the prettiest
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
Que yo no lo recuerde no te quita la buena
The fact that I don’t remember it doesn’t take away your beauty

[Verse 3]
Algo tomé esa noche que dañó mi mente
I drank something last night that damaged my mind
Quedé loco, inconsciente
I was left crazy, unconscious
No significa que porque no te recuerde
Doesn’t mean that because I don’t remember you
No me alegra volver a verte
I’m not happy to see you again
Yo soy curioso y eso tú lo sabes
I’m curious and you know that
Hoy yo estoy puesto para hacer maldades
Today I’m ready to do bad things
Tu nombre bien no lo recuerdo
I don’t remember your name well
Pero esta noche me lo aprendo
But tonight I’ll learn it

[Pre-Chorus]
Acércate, acércate un poco más
Come closer, come a little bit closer
Que así de lejos no logramos na’
That this far apart we don’t achieve anything
Si te pegas, puedes ayudar a que yo te recuerde
If you stick close to me, you can help me remember you
Acércate, acércate un poco más
Come closer, come a little bit closer
Que así de lejos no logramos na’
That this far apart we don’t achieve anything
Si te pegas, puedes ayudar a que yo te recuerde
If you stick close to me, you can help me remember you

[Chorus]
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
Que yo no lo recuerde no te quita la buena
The fact that I don’t remember it doesn’t take away your beauty
Ey, qué pena
Ey, what an embarrassement
Tu nombre no, pero tu cara me suena
Not your name, but your face seems familiar to me
Salgamos ya de este dilema
Let’s get out of this dilemma
De todas las chimbitas, tú eres la más buena
Of all the girls, you’re the prettiest