Section outline

    • 1. Context Explanation

      The song 'Despacito' by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, featuring Daddy Yankee, is a global phenomenon that has captivated audiences with its infectious rhythm and sensual lyrics. The song's title, which translates to 'Slowly' in English, sets the tone for its lyrical content, which is all about taking the time to enjoy an intimate, romantic experience with a partner. The lyrics invite listeners into a world of slow, deliberate passion where every moment and sensation is savored.

       

      The song begins with a direct address to a woman, indicating that the singer has been watching her and is drawn to her. The magnetic attraction between the two is palpable, as Fonsi describes himself as metal to her magnet, inexorably drawn together. The physical response to this attraction is described vividly, with the singer's pulse quickening at the mere thought of being close to her. The chorus of 'Despacito' emphasizes the desire to take things slowly, with the singer expressing a wish to whisper sweet nothings, explore the partner's body like a labyrinth, and leave a lasting impression on her.

       

      Cultural references and metaphors are woven throughout the song, enhancing its romantic and seductive themes. The mention of dancing, a common metaphor for romance and physical closeness, is prominent. The lyrics also suggest a journey of exploration, with the singer wanting to discover the partner's 'favorite places' and 'danger zones,' adding an element of excitement and anticipation. The song culminates in a fantasy of making love on a beach in Puerto Rico, a nod to the singer's heritage and the island's reputation for beauty and passion. The repetition of 'pasito a pasito, suave suavecito' (step by step, soft softly) reinforces the central message of taking things slowly and enjoying every step of the romantic dance.

    • 2. Spanish Translation

       

      Slowly
      (in the context of the song, "despacito" doesn’t just mean "slowly" in terms of speed, but also in a sensual and emotional way—it's a way of saying “let’s take our time” with tenderness and desire.)

      Despacito

      Yes, you know that I've been watching you for a while

      I have to dance with you today

      I saw that the look in your eyes was already calling me

      Show me the way, that I will go


      You, you’re the magnet, and I’m the metal

      I’m getting closer and making the plan

      Just thinking about it speeds up my heartbeat

      Now, now I’m already liking it more than usual

      All my senses are asking for more

      We have to take this slowly


      Despacito

      I want to breathe in your neck slowly

      Let me whisper things in your ear

      So that you remember if you're not with me


      Despacito

      I want to undress you with kisses, slowly

      Sign the walls of your labyrinth

      And make your body my whole manuscript


      (Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up!)

      (Turn it up, turn it up!)


      I want to see your hair dance

      I want to be your rhythm (uh-oh)

      That you to show my mouth (uh-oh)

      Your favorite places (favorite, favorite baby)

      Let me go beyond

      Your danger zones (uh-oh)

      Until I make you scream (uh-oh)

      And make you forget your last name


      If I ask for a kiss, come give it to me

      I know you’re thinking about it

      I’ve been trying to do it for a while

      Baby, this is give and giving it to you


      You know that your heart with me goes bam-bam


      You know that baby is looking for my bam-bam




      Come try my mouth to see how it taste to you

      I want, I want, I want to see how much love fits inside you

      I’m not in a rush, I want to enjoy the ride

      We’ll start slow, then go wild


      Step by step, soft, softly

      We’re getting closer, little by little

      When you kiss me with that skill

      I see you’ve got a mix of mischief and delicacy


      Step by step, soft, softly

      We’re getting closer, little by little

      And it’s just that your beauty is a puzzle

      But, to solve it, I’ve got the piece (oh yeah)



      Despacito

      I want to breathe in your neck slowly

      Let me whisper things in your ear

      So that you remember if you're not with me


      Despacito

      I want to undress you with kisses, slowly

      Sign the walls of your labyrinth

      And make your body my whole manuscript

      (Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up!)

      (Turn it up, turn it up!)


      I want to see your hair dance

      I want to be your rhythm (uh-oh)

      That you to show my mouth (uh-oh)

      Your favorite places (favorite, favorite baby)

      Let me go beyond

      Your danger zones (uh-oh)

      Until I make you scream (uh-oh)

      And make you forget your last name


      Despacito

      Let’s do it on a beach in Puerto Rico

      Until the waves scream: ÂĄOh, blessed!

      So that my mark stays with you (Dance it!)


      Step by step, soft, softly

      We’re getting closer, little by little

      That you to show my mouth (uh-oh)

      Your favorite places (favorite, favorite baby)


      Step by step, soft, softly

      We’re getting closer, little by little

      Until I make you scream 

      And make you forget your last name


      Slowly


      SĂ­, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirĂĄndote

      Tengo que bailar contigo hoy

      Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamĂĄndome

      Muéstrame el camino, que yo voy


      TĂș, TĂș eres el imĂĄn y yo soy el metal

      Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan

      Solo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso 

      Ya, ya me estĂĄ gustando mĂĄs de lo normal

      Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo mĂĄs

      Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningĂșn apuro


      Despacito

      Quiero respirar tu cuello, despacito

      Deja que te diga cosas al oĂ­do

      Para que te acuerdes si no estĂĄs conmigo


      Despacito

      Quiero desnudarte a besos, despacito

      Firmar las paredes de tu laberinto

      Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito


      (ÂĄSube, sube, sube!)

      (ÂĄSube, sube!)


      Quiero ver bailar tu pelo

      Quiero ser tu ritmo (uoh-uoh)

      Que le enseñes a mi boca (uoh-uoh)

      Tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos, baby)


      DĂ©jame sobrepasar

      Tus zonas de peligro (uoh-uoh)

      Hasta provocar tus gritos (uoh-uoh)

      Y que olvides tu apellido


      Si te pido un beso, ven, dĂĄmelo

      Yo sé que estås pensåndolo

      Llevo tiempo intentĂĄndolo

      Mami, esto es dando y dĂĄndolo


      Sabes que tu corazĂłn conmigo te hace bam-bam

      Sabes que esa beba estĂĄ buscando de mi bam-bam


      Ven, prueba de mi boca para ver cĂłmo te sabe

      Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuĂĄnto amor a ti te cabe

      Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje

      Empezamos lento, después salvaje


      Pasito a pasito, suave, suavecito

      Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

      Cuando tĂș 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, aquĂ­ tengo la pieza (oh, yeh)


      Despacito

      Quiero respirar tu cuello, despacito

      Deja que te diga cosas al oĂ­do

      Para que te acuerdes si no estĂĄs conmigo


      Despacito

      Quiero desnudarte a besos, despacito

      Firmar las paredes de tu laberinto

      Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

      (ÂĄSube, sube, sube!)

      (ÂĄSube, sube!)


      Quiero ver bailar tu pelo

      Quiero ser tu ritmo (uoh-uoh)

      Que le enseñes a mi boca (uoh-uoh)

      Tus lugares favoritos (favoritos, favoritos, baby)


      DĂ©jame sobrepasar

      Tus zonas de peligro (uoh-uoh)

      Hasta provocar tus gritos (uoh-uoh)

      Y que olvides tu apellido


      Despacito

      Vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico

      Hasta que las olas griten: ÂĄAy, bendito!

      Para que mi sello se quede contigo (ÂĄbĂĄilalo!)


      Pasito a pasito, suave, suavecito

      Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

      Que le enseñes a mi boca (uoh-uoh)

      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


    • 3. Pronunciation Guide – Sing with Confidence!

      Because of the song’s fast tempo, it’s perfect for practicing fluid syllable blending, consonant clarity, and intonation in romantic speech.

      Challenging Sounds & Tips:

      ✅ “D” and “T” in soft context – despacito, susurrarte

      • In Caribbean Spanish, d and t can be softened in the middle of words:

        • Despacito → pronounced des-pa-SEE-to, not des-pa-SEE-doh

        • Susurrarte = soo-soo-RAR-teh → practice that trilled “r”

      ✅ Syllable overload – pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

      • Say it slowly first! Then speed up once your mouth gets used to the rhythm.

        • pa-SEE-to a pa-SEE-to, SWA-veh SWA-veh-SEE-to

      ✅ Dropped consonants (especially “s”) in fast reggaetón

      • In vamos a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico, the s might be soft or even skipped. That’s normal! Don’t worry—rhythm matters more than rigid clarity.

      ✅ Spanish vowels don’t change!

      • Remember: i = ee, e = eh, a = ah, o = oh, u = oo

      • Always crisp and clean.

      đŸŽ” Pro Tip:
      Practice the chorus slowly and with claps. It helps internalize syllables and syncs pronunciation with rhythm.

    • Video Song - Despacito

       

       

    • 4. Grammar & Vocabulary Highlights

      While fun and catchy, this song is full of romantic expressions, imperatives, and figurative language used in everyday conversation.

      Key Vocabulary (10+ words):

      Spanish Word

      Meaning

      Example

      Despacito

      Slowly

      Quiero hacerlo despacito.

      Pasito

      Little step

      Vamos paso a paso, pasito a pasito.

      Suavecito

      Very soft/gentle

      DĂ­melo suavecito, por favor.

      Labios

      Lips

      Tus labios me vuelven loco.

      Susurrar

      To whisper

      Quiero susurrarte al oĂ­do.

      Cuello

      Neck

      Besaré tu cuello.

      Firmar

      To sign

      Firmo este deseo contigo.

      Pared

      Wall

      Contra la pared (against the wall)

      Ritmo

      Rhythm

      El ritmo me mueve.

      Provocar

      To provoke/stir up

      TĂș me provocas sentimientos nuevos.

      Grammar Points:

      📌 Imperatives – used for giving commands/suggestions

      • Quiero desnudarte a besos (literally “I want to undress you with kisses”) uses infinitive, but we also hear commands like:

        • DĂ©jame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro = Let me go beyond your danger zones

        • Pasito a pasito = Step by step (used like a playful suggestion)

      📌 Infinitive Chains

      • Quiero desnudarte, hacerlo, mostrarte

        • Common in speech when expressing desire: “I want to [do something] to you”

      📌 Reflexive & Object Pronouns

      • Susurrarte = to whisper to you

      • Quiero ver bailar tu pelo = I want to see your hair dance

        • Poetic but grammatically useful!

      📌 Noun Diminutives – despacito, pasito, suavecito

      • Adding -ito/-ita softens the word or makes it more affectionate/playful

        • Despacito = gently/slowly

        • Pasito = little step

      Suavecito = extra soft

    • 5. Practice & Activities

      🎧 A. Fill in the Blank – Lyrics Practice
      Listen and complete:

      ______ a pasito, suave ______
      Nos vamos ______, poquito a poquito
      Cuando tĂș me ______ con esa ______
      Veo que eres ______ de un ______

      đŸŽ¶ B. Sing-Along Challenge

      1. Clap the syllables of the chorus first:

        • Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito


      2. Sing at 75% speed on YouTube to get used to the rhythm

      3. Challenge: Sing the full chorus without looking—it’s a great memory test!

      🗣 C. Discussion Questions

      1. Why do you think “slowly” is such a powerful word in the context of this song?

      2. Which lines are romantic? Which are sensual? Where’s the line?

      3. How does this song compare to romantic songs in English?

      📝 D. Make Your Own Mini Poem Using Diminutives
      Try writing 3 lines with -ito or -ita words:

      • Quiero un besito cerca de tu boquita.

      • Hablemos despacito bajo la lunita.

      🎭 E. Roleplay: Flirt en Español
      Say these lines with charm and rhythm:

      • DĂ©jame susurrarte cosas al oĂ­do. (soft and intimate)

      • Vamos poquito a poquito, sin prisa. (calm, teasing)

      • Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito. (passionate and playful)

      Despacito might be fun and sexy, but it’s also a goldmine for real-life expressions, useful grammar, and pronunciation training. So, take it slow
 but learn it fast. đŸŽ¶đŸ˜‰