Lesson 9: Tu falta de querer

1. Context Explanation

Mon Laferte's 'Tu Falta de Querer' is a poignant ballad that delves into the pain and confusion of a love that has faded away. The Chilean singer-songwriter is known for her emotive voice and powerful lyrics, which often explore themes of love, heartbreak, and personal struggle. In this song, Laferte uses her evocative storytelling to paint a picture of someone grappling with the remnants of a relationship that has ended, yet the emotional ties remain.

The lyrics of 'Tu Falta de Querer' translate to 'Your Lack of Love' and they speak to the universal experience of trying to move on from a relationship while still being surrounded by memories of what once was. Laferte's words describe the difficulty of being in the shared space of the couple's bed, where everything seems unchanged except for the absence of the partner's love. The mention of 'nuestra cama' (our bed) and 'nuestros gatos' (our cats) symbolizes the shared life that is no longer whole. The phrase 'La hiedra venenosa no te deja ver' (The poisonous ivy doesn't let you see) could be a metaphor for how the partner's negative traits or actions were obscured by love, making it hard to see the truth of the situation.

The chorus is a plea for honesty and mercy, asking the former lover to explain the reason behind the loss of love. The repetition of the question '¿Cómo fue que me dejaste de amar?' (How was it that you stopped loving me?) underscores the bewilderment and desperation for answers. Laferte's use of the phrase 'Tu tanta falta de querer' (Your so much lack of love) is a powerful expression of the deep void felt when love is unreciprocated. The song resonates with anyone who has experienced the struggle of holding onto feelings for someone who has moved on, highlighting the emotional turmoil and the longing for closure.

2. Spanish Translation

3. Pronunciation Guide – Sing with Confidence!

The intensity of this song demands raw, honest pronunciation. You don’t need to sound perfect—you need to sound real.

Challenging Sounds & Tips:

✅ "QuerER" vs. "QueriENDO"

• In Spanish, infinitives end in -er, and the "r" is pronounced softly but clearly.
  
  

• Querer = keh-RER
  
  

• Queriendo = keh-ree-EN-doh
  Don’t cut off the endings—this song plays with them rhythmically.
  
  

✅ Explosive "R" in moments of anger

• Words like rabia (rage) and miseria (misery) require a strong emotional tone.
  
  

• Rabia = RRRRAH-bya → let the rolled "r" carry the anger
  
  

✅ Word ending with vowels – deseo, olvido, vacío

• Spanish vowels are open and consistent. Hold them with painful force in dramatic moments:
  
  

• Va-CÍO, DE-se-OO
  
  

✅ Emotional breathing

• Use breaths as dramatic pauses. The structure allows for it, especially when she screams in heartbreak near the end.
  
  

🎵 Pro Tip:
This is not a technical song. It’s emotional therapy. Don’t sing it—feel it. Let your Spanish follow your pain.

Video Song - Tu falta de querer

4. Grammar & Vocabulary Highlights

This song is a treasure chest of dramatic vocabulary and expressions for grief, abandonment, and emotional devastation. Get ready to speak like a telenovela protagonist.

Key Vocabulary (10+ words):

Grammar Points:

📌 Noun phrase – Tu falta de querer

• Literally “Your lack of loving.”
  
  

• Falta de + noun = lack of something
  
  

• Very poetic and expressive
  
  

📌 Preterite vs. Imperfect for emotions

• Te dejé de querer (preterite = completed action)
  
  

• Mientras tú dormías (imperfect = background action)
  
  

• Useful for storytelling and past emotions
  
  

📌 Negation with no puedo + infinitive

• No puedo olvidarte = I can’t forget you
  
  

• No quiero mentirte más = I don’t want to lie to you anymore
  
  

📌 Past participles – olvidado, perdido, querido

• Me has olvidado = You have forgotten me
  
  

• Combine with haber to talk about emotional past events
  
  

📌 Emotive expressions

• Te dejé de amar con rabia = I stopped loving you with rage
  
  

• Me dejaste con dolor y miseria = You left me with pain and misery
  
  

5. Practice & Activities

🎧 A. Fill in the Blank – Lyrics Practice
Listen to the lyrics and fill in:

Te ______ de amar
Me volviste a ______
Y me hiciste peor que esta ______
Y aunque tú me has dejado en el ______
Ya no hay ______, ni vuelta atrás

🎶 B. Sing-Along Challenge

1. Read each line as if you're writing a breakup letter.
   
   

2. Sing slowly at first—focus on clear emotions.
   
   

3. Let your voice crack if needed—raw is real.
   
   

🗣 C. Discussion Questions

1. What emotions are in the lyrics—love, anger, desperation, all of them?
   
   

2. Is the speaker strong or broken by the end?
   
   

3. Would this song feel the same without the screaming section?
   
   

📝 D. Write Your Own Emotional Statement
Start with: Tu falta de…
Examples:

• Tu falta de sinceridad me rompió.
  
  

• Tu falta de respeto me cambió.
  
  

🎭 E. Monologue Performance – Say It With Rage
Choose lines and perform them like an actor in a dramatic scene:

• Te dejé de amar con rabia (bitter and bold)
  
  

• Me mentiste en la cara (cold and direct)
  
  

• Y me hiciste peor que esta miseria (explosive)
  
  

This is a song you live through, not just sing. It teaches you how to speak Spanish with fury, heartbreak, and poetry. Feel every word—and sing it loud. 💔🔥🎙️