LA MuDANZA

Hijo de: A possessive phrase consisting of the masculine noun hijo (son) and the preposition de (of), which is used here to establish parentage or origin.

Le decían: This uses the verb decir (to say/tell) conjugated in the imperfect indicative tense (third-person plural), combined with the indirect object pronoun le (to him/her). While it literally translates to "they said to him," this is the go-to phrase in Spanish when you want to say "he was called" or "his nickname was."

El mayor: A relative superlative structure formed by the masculine definite article el (the) and the comparative adjective mayor (older/greatest in age).

De seis: A prepositional phrase made of de (of/out of) followed by the cardinal number seis (six).

Trabajando: The gerund form of the verb trabajar (to work), which is used here to describe an ongoing or continuous action in the past.

Desde chamaquito: A prepositional phrase where desde means "since" or "from," combined with the noun chamaquito, which is the diminutive form of chamaco (kid/boy).

Guiando: The gerund form of the verb guiar (to guide/to steer).

Camione': Contraction of the masculine plural noun camiones (trucks) with the final "s" dropped.

El pai: A shortened form of the noun padre or papá (father/dad), preceded by the masculine singular article el (the).

Y el abuelo: The coordinating conjunction y (and) followed by the masculine noun abuelo (grandfather), also introduced by the definite article el.

Saying "como el pai y el abuelo" literally means "like the dad and the grandfather." However, leaving it as "the dad and the grandfather" sounds unnatural, and robotic. To make the English translation sound completely natural, we naturally switch those articles to possessive adjectives ("his dad and grandfather").

Aunque: A concessive conjunction meaning "although," "even though," or "even if." It is used here to introduce a contrast or a hurdle to the main idea of the story.

Su sueño: Su uses the possessive adjective (his/her/its) in the indicative (third-person singular), followed by the masculine noun sueño (dream).

Siempre fue: The adverb siempre (always) combined with fue, which is the verb ser (to be) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular).

Un día: A temporal phrase meaning "one day" or "once," combining the indefinite article un (a/one) with the masculine noun día (day).

Tonito: A proper noun featuring the diminutive suffix -ito attached to the name Tono (which itself is the short nickname for Antonio).

Lo: A masculine singular direct object pronoun meaning "him" or "it."

Lo invitó: This uses the verb invitar (to invite) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the masculine singular direct object pronoun lo (him).

Pa' hacer: A contraction of para (for/to) followed by the infinitive verb hacer (to do/to make).

Una mudanza: The indefinite feminine article una (a) followed by the noun mudanza (move/relocation).

Pa' buscarse: The contracted preposition pa' (para) combined with the reflexive infinitive buscarse (literally, "to look for oneself").

Alguito: The indefinite pronoun algo (something) with the affectionate diminutive suffix -ito attached to the end. While buscar just means "to look for," turning it into the reflexive buscarse (especially in expressions like buscarse el peso or buscarse la vida) means "to hustle," "to earn a living," or "to make some money on the side."

Par de peso': The noun par (pair/couple) followed by the preposition de (of) and the masculine noun pesos (bucks/money) with the final "s" dropped.

Pa' algo alcanza: The contracted preposition pa' (para) followed by the pronoun algo (something) and alcanza, which is the verb alcanzar (to reach/to be enough) in the present indicative tense (third-person singular). The verb alcanzar is super useful here. It means "to stretch" or "to be enough to cover a cost." By saying pa' algo alcanza, it carries a realistic, hard-working philosophy: "it might not be a fortune, but a couple of bucks is always enough to buy something you need."

Gracia' a Dios: The feminine plural noun gracias (thanks) with the final "s" dropped, followed by the prepositional phrase a Dios (to God).

Que ese: The relative pronoun que (that) followed by the masculine singular demonstrative adjective ese (that).

Día: A masculine noun meaning "day."

No estaba: The negative particle no followed by estaba, which is the irregular verb estar (to be) conjugated in the imperfect indicative tense (third-person singular).

Busy: A direct loanword from English, functioning here as a predicate adjective.

Porque: A causal conjunction meaning "because," used to introduce the reason or explanation for the statement before it.

En la mudanza: The preposition en (which can mean "in," "on," or "during" depending on context) followed by the feminine singular definite article la (the) and the noun mudanza (move/relocation).

Fue donde: A past tense structure combining fue, which is the verb ser (to be) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), with the relative adverb donde (where).

Conoció a Lisy: The verb conocer (to meet/to know someone) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), followed by the personal a and the proper noun Lisy.

La menor de tre': The feminine relative superlative structure formed by the article la (the) and the adjective menor (younger/youngest), followed by de (of) and the cardinal number tres (three) with the final "s" dropped.

Que se criaron con: The relative pronoun que (who/that) followed by se criaron, which is the reflexive verb criarse (to be raised/to grow up) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural), and the preposition con (with).

Doña Juanita: A proper noun introduced by the respectful honorific title Doña (Mrs.).

Su papá y mamá: This uses the possessive adjective su (her) in its singular form to agree with the first noun, followed by the nouns papá (dad) and mamá (mom).

Partieron: The verb partir (literally "to depart" or "to leave") conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural). While partir literally means to depart on a journey, in this context, and in many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, partir or partir de este mundo is used as a gentle way to say "passed away" or "died," avoiding the harsher verb morir

Estando chiquita: An adverbial phrase combining the gerund estando (being, from the verb estar) with the feminine singular adjective chiquita (little/small).

Prometió graduarse: This uses the verb prometer (to promise) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), followed directly by the infinitive graduarse (to graduate) carrying its reflexive pronoun se.

Ante' de casarse: The contracted adverb antes (before) with the final "s" dropped, followed by the preposition de and the reflexive infinitive casarse (to get married).

Y lo cumplió: The coordinating conjunction y (and) followed by the masculine singular direct object pronoun lo (it) and cumplió, which is the verb cumplir (to fulfill/to keep a promise) in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular).

Con Tito se casó: Casó uses the verb casarse (to get married) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the preposition con (with) and the proper noun Tito.

Ante' de irse: Irse uses the reflexive infinitive verb (to leave/to go away), preceded by the contracted adverb antes (before) with the final "s" dropped and the preposition de.

Pa' Almirante: Almirante is the name of a municipality in Puerto Rico, preceded by the contracted preposition para (for/to).

Donde se conocieron: Se conocieron uses the verb conocer (to meet/to know each other) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the reciprocal pronoun se.

Vivieron: Vivieron uses the verb vivir (to live) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural).

En Morovis: Morovis is the name of a municipality in Puerto Rico, preceded by the preposition en (in/at).

En donde hicieron: Hicieron uses the verb hacer (to make/to do) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the relative phrase en donde (wherein/where).

Al nene: Nene uses a masculine noun meaning "baby" or "little boy," preceded by the contracted masculine singular article al (a + el).

Que en Bayamón: Bayamón is the name of a municipality in Puerto Rico, preceded by the relative pronoun que (that) and the preposition en (in/at).

Por primera vez: Primera vez uses a temporal phrase meaning "for the first time," combining the preposition por (for) with the feminine ordinal adjective primera (first) and the noun vez (time/instance).

Vieron: Vieron uses the verb ver (to see) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural).

Un aplauso: Aplauso uses a masculine singular noun meaning "applause" or "a round of applause," introduced by the indefinite article un (a/one).

Pa' mami y papi: Mami y papi uses the highly affectionate, universal nouns for mother (mami) and father (papi), preceded by the contracted preposition para (for) with the final syllable dropped.

Porque en verda': Verda' uses the feminine noun verdad (truth) with the final "d" dropped, preceded by the causal conjunction porque (because) and the preposition en (in).

Rompieron: Rompieron uses the verb romper (literally "to break") conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural).

While romper means to physically break something, in casual or slang romper or romperla means "to crush it," "to kill it," or to do an outstanding job.

Gracia', mami: Gracias uses the feminine plural noun (thanks) with the final "s" dropped, followed by the affectionate noun mami (mommy).

Por parirme: Parirme uses the infinitive verb parir (to give birth) with the first-person singular object pronoun me (me) attached to the end, preceded by the preposition por (for/because of).

Aquí: it means "here."

El mejor de la nueva: Mejor uses the irregular comparative adjective acting as a relative superlative, preceded by the masculine singular article el (the) and followed by the prepositional phrase de la nueva (of the new).

Porque me crié: Me crié uses the reflexive verb criarse (to grow up/to be raised) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (first-person singular).

En la vieja: Vieja uses the feminine singular adjective (old) acting as a noun, preceded by the preposition en (in) and the definite article la (the).

La nueva and la vieja are universal shorthand terms for the "new school" and the "old school".

Por to' los jalón: To' uses the contracted form of the masculine plural adjective todos (all) with the "d" and final "s" dropped, followed by the article los (the) and the masculine noun jalón (pull). Grammatically, there is a very interesting mismatch here: he uses the plural article los but keeps the noun jalón in the singular, which is a very common structure in fast speech. The contraction to' is the standard in Caribbean Spanish.

De oreja': Oreja' uses the feminine noun orejas (ears) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the preposition de (of). The phrase jalón de orejas is an idiomatic expression. It does not refer to physical punishment, but rather to the scoldings and corrections parents use to guide children.

Nunca me han visto: Han visto uses the verb ver (to see) conjugated in the present perfect indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the negative adverb nunca (never) and the first-person singular object pronoun me (me).

En la calle: Calle uses a feminine singular noun meaning "street," preceded by the preposition en (in/on) and the definite article la (the).

Ni en los podcast: Podcast uses a borrowed masculine noun from English, remaining unchanged in its plural form here, preceded by the negative coordinating conjunction ni (nor/neither) and the prepositional phrase en los (in the).

Dando queja': Dando uses the gerund form of the verb dar (to give), followed by the feminine noun quejas (complaints) with the final "s" dropped. The expression dar quejas means to complain, vent, or play the victim. Using the gerund dando functions exactly like the English participle "complaining," describing an ongoing action.

Tratan de medir: Tratan uses the verb tratar (to try/attempt) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person plural), followed by the preposition de and the infinitive verb medir (to measure).

Fuerza: Fuerza is a feminine singular noun meaning "strength" or "force."

Y no pueden: Pueden uses the irregular verb poder (to be able to/can) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the coordinating conjunction y (and) and the negative particle no (not).

Ni en pareja: Pareja uses a feminine singular noun meaning "pair," "couple," or "team," preceded by the emphatic negative particle ni (not even) and the preposition en (in/as).

Calle Sol, Calle Luna: Calle Sol and Calle Luna use proper noun phrases identifying specific streets, combining the feminine noun calle (street) with Sol (Sun) and Luna (Moon).

Estoy: Estoy uses the irregular verb estar (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular).

En la noche oscura: Oscura uses a feminine singular adjective meaning "dark," modifying the feminine singular noun noche (night), preceded by the prepositional phrase en la (in the).

Yo no canto: Canto uses the verb cantar (to sing) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the negative particle no (not) and the explicit subject pronoun yo (I).

Pero soy cultura: Soy uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the adversative conjunction pero (but) and followed by the feminine noun cultura (culture).

PR: is the standard abbreviation for Puerto Rico.

En el mundo entero: Mundo entero uses a masculine singular noun phrase meaning "the entire world" or "the whole wide world," combining the noun mundo (world) with the adjective entero (whole/entire), preceded by the prepositional phrase en el (in the).

Ya conocen: Conocen uses the verb conocer (to know/be familiar with) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the temporal adverb ya (already).

Mi dialecto, mi jerga: Dialecto and jerga use masculine and feminine singular nouns meaning "dialect" and "slang," respectively, each preceded by the first-person singular possessive adjective mi (my).

A mí me importa: Importa uses the verb importar (to matter/be important) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the indirect object pronoun me (to me) and the emphasized prepositional pronoun phrase a mí (to me).

Un bicho: Bicho uses a masculine singular noun (literally "bug" or "creature") acting here as an intensifier within a highly vulgar idiomatic expression.

While bicho means a harmless insect in most of Latin America, in Puerto Rico it is a offensive slang term for male genitalia. The phrase importar un bicho is the exact equivalent of "I don't give a f*ck”.

Lo que a ti te vale: Vale uses the verb valer (to be worth) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the relative pronoun phrase lo que (what/that which), the indirect object pronoun te (to you), and the emphasized phrase a ti (to you).

Verga: Verga is a feminine singular noun acting as a slang term for male genitalia. The expression valer verga is an incredibly common across Latin America meaning "to be completely worthless" or "to not give a sht."

Aquí mataron: Mataron uses the verb matar (to kill) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the adverb of place aquí (here).

Gente: is a feminine singular noun meaning "people."

Por sacar: Sacar uses the infinitive verb (to take out/to display), preceded by the causal preposition por (because of/for).

La bandera: Bandera is a feminine singular noun meaning "flag," introduced by the definite article la (the).

Por eso es que: Es uses the verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), embedded in the fixed causal connector phrase por eso es que (that is why / therefore).

Ahora yo la llevo: Llevo uses the verb llevar (to carry/to take) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the temporal adverb ahora (now), the explicit pronoun yo (I), and the feminine singular direct object pronoun la (it, replacing la bandera).

Donde quiera: Quiera uses the verb querer (to want) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person singular, acting here with an indefinite locative meaning).

Cabrón, ¿qué fue?: Cabrón uses a masculine singular noun (literally "big goat" but used as a swear word), followed by the confrontational idiomatic question ¿qué fue? (what's up? / what about it?).

In Puerto Rico, "cabrón" can be used among close friends, but when delivered aggressively, it is an insult. Similarly, "¿Qué fue?" (What's up?), which seems harmless, can mean confrontation or a challenge when delivered aggressively.

Está: Está uses the irregular verb estar (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular).

Peligroso: Peligroso uses a masculine singular adjective meaning "dangerous."

Si mañana muero: Muero uses the verb morir (to die) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the conditional particle si (if) and the temporal adverb mañana (tomorrow).

Yo espero: Espero uses the verb esperar (to hope/expect/to wait) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the explicit subject pronoun yo (I).

Que nunca olviden: Olviden uses the verb olvidar (to forget) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person plural), preceded by the relative conjunction que (that) and the negative adverb nunca (never).

Mi rostro: Rostro uses a masculine singular noun meaning "face," preceded by the first-person singular possessive adjective mi (my).

Y pongan: Pongan uses the irregular verb poner (to put/to play music) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person plural), preceded by the conjunction y (and).

Un tema mío: Tema uses a masculine singular noun (literally "theme" or "topic" but universally used in modern Spanish for "song" or "track"), followed by the stressed possessive adjective mío (mine) and introduced by the indefinite article un (a/one).

El día que traigan: Traigan uses the irregular verb traer (to bring) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person plural), preceded by the temporal noun phrase el día que (the day that).

A Hostos: Hostos is a proper noun introduced by the personal preposition a. This is a historical reference. Eugenio María de Hostos was a legendary Puerto Rican educator, philosopher, and intellectual who fiercely fought for the independence of Puerto Rico.

En la caja: Caja uses a feminine singular noun meaning "box" (used here to mean "casket" or "coffin"), preceded by the preposition en (on/in) and the definite article la (the).

La bandera azul clarito: Bandera uses a feminine singular noun meaning "flag," modified by the color adjective phrase azul clarito (light blue).

Que recuerden: Recuerden uses the verb recordar (to remember) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person plural), preceded by the relative conjunction que (that). The use of que + subjunctive functions as an indirect command or a strong wish, translated as "let them remember" or "I want them to remember."

Que siempre fui yo: Fui uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the relative conjunction que (that) and the adverb siempre (always), followed by the stressed pronoun yo (me).

Siempre fui Benito: Fui uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the adverb siempre (always) and followed by the proper noun Benito.

¿Meterle más: Meterle uses the infinitive verb meter (literally "to put in") with the third-person singular indirect object pronoun le attached to the end, followed by the comparative adverb más (more). In slang, meterle is a common idiomatic expression that means to rap, flow, perform, or sing with skill and style (literally "to put work into it"). Asking ¿Meterle más que yo? is a rhetorical challenge, meaning "Who can flow or do it better than me?"

Que yo: Yo uses the first-person singular subject pronoun acting as the object of comparison after the comparative conjunction que (than).

Tú ere' loco: Ere' uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (second-person singular) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the subject pronoun tú (you) and followed by the adjective loco (crazy).

Lo que tú diga': Diga' uses the irregular verb decir (to say) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (second-person singular) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the relative phrase lo que (what/that which) and the subject pronoun tú (you). The subjunctive mood diga' is strictly required here because it refers to an indefinite, generalized statement, meaning "whatever you might say" now or in the future.

Me importa poco: Importa uses the verb importar (to matter/be important) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the indirect object pronoun me (to me) and followed by the adverb of quantity poco (little).

A mí me quieren: Quieren uses the verb querer (to love/to like) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person plural), preceded by the indirect object pronoun me (me) and the emphasized prepositional phrase a mí (to me). The third-person plural quieren serves as a collective "they".

Como a Tito: Tito uses a proper noun introduced by the personal preposition a and preceded by the comparative conjunction como (like/as). This is a reference to Félix "Tito" Trinidad, one of the most beloved and iconic Puerto Rican boxing champions

Y soy serio: Soy uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the coordinating conjunction y (and) and followed by the masculine singular adjective serio (serious).

Como Cotto: Cotto uses a proper noun, preceded by the comparative conjunction como (like/as). This completes the boxing double-homage by referencing Miguel Cotto, another legendary multi-divisional Puerto Rican boxing champion.

Yo soy legendario: Soy uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the explicit subject pronoun yo (I) and followed by the masculine singular adjective legendary (legendario).

Le meto: Meto uses the verb meter conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), followed by the third-person singular indirect object pronoun le (it/to it).

Con cojone': Cojones uses the masculine plural noun (literally "testicles" but universally used as heavy slang for balls/courage) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the preposition con (with).

Y con ovario': Ovarios uses the feminine plural noun (ovaries) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the coordinating conjunction y (and) and the preposition con (with).

In Puerto Rican slang, con cojones or con ovarios means to do something with intense effort, guts, or bravery.

Sin dejar de ser: Ser uses the infinitive verb (to be), which is part of the set phrase sin dejar de (without stopping).

Del barrio: Barrio uses the masculine singular noun meaning "neighborhood" or "hood," preceded by the contracted masculine singular prepositional phrase del (de + el).

Pa' que sepa': Sepa' uses the irregular verb saber (to know) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (second-person singular) with the final "s" dropped, preceded by the contracted final conjunction para (so that / in order to).

Aprieta: Aprieta uses the verb apretar (literally "to squeeze" or "to tighten") conjugated in the imperative mood (second-person singular).

In Puerto Rico slang, apretar is highly versatile. When used as a command or exclamation like ¡aprieta!, it can mean "hold tight," "step it up," "show what you've got," or "brace yourself."

Chamaquito: Chamaquito uses a masculine singular noun meaning "little kid" or "young boy," adding the diminutive suffix -ito to the root chamaco (kid/youngster).

Nadie me saca: Saca uses the verb sacar (to remove/to take out) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the negative indefinite pronoun nadie (nobody) and the first-person singular object pronoun me (me).

Yo no me muevo: Muevo uses the reflexive verb moverse (to move oneself) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the explicit subject pronoun yo (I) and the negative particle no (not).

Dile: Dile uses the irregular verb decir (to tell/to say) conjugated in the imperative mood (second-person singular), with the third-person singular indirect object pronoun le (to him/to her/to them) attached to the end.

Esta es mi casa: Es uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the feminine demonstrative pronoun esta (this) and followed by the noun phrase mi casa (my house).

Donde nació: Nació uses the verb nacer (to be born) conjugated in the preterite indicative tense (third-person singular), preceded by the relative adverb of place donde (where).

Mi abuelo: Abuelo uses a masculine singular noun meaning "grandfather," preceded by the first-person singular possessive adjective mi (my).

Yo soy: Soy uses the irregular verb ser (to be) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person singular), preceded by the explicit subject pronoun yo (I).

De P f*ckin' R: PR are the initials for Puerto Rico. All preceded by the preposition de (from).

Vamo' a ver: Vamo' uses the irregular verb ir (to go) conjugated in the present indicative tense (first-person plural) with the final "s" dropped, followed by the preposition a and the verb ver (to see).

Dale: Dale uses the verb dar (to give) conjugated in the imperative mood (second-person singular), with the third-person singular indirect object pronoun le (it) attached to the end.

Que venga: Venga uses the irregular verb venir (to come) conjugated in the present subjunctive tense (third-person singular), preceded by the relative conjunction que (that).

Pa'cá: Pa'cá uses a contraction combining the shortened preposition para (pa') and the shortened adverb of place acá (cá).