Lesson 11: Por Ese Hombre

1. Context Explanation

"Por Ese Hombre" by Pimpinela is a dramatic narrative that delves into the complexities of a love triangle. The song is a dialogue between two men, one of whom advises the other to overcome the loss, forget, and move on with his lives. The lyrics poignantly explore love, loss, and the process of moving on. Pimpinela, known for its theatrical style and songs that often take the form of dialogue, uses this format very effectively to convey the emotional turmoil of the characters.

The song begins with one man attempting to comfort the other, explaining that the new man in the woman's life didn't mean to hurt her. The lyrics suggest that the woman's new partner filled the void left by the previous relationship. The conversation reveals the pain of the man left behind, who admits his mistakes and his inability to live without her love. The song's narrative structure allows listeners to empathize with both characters as they grapple with their feelings and the reality of the situation.

As the song progresses, it is revealed that the man in the new relationship is speaking. He attempts to convince his predecessor that the woman is now happy and that he should let her go. The lyrics convey a sense of finality and acceptance, urging the former lover to understand that people can change and find happiness elsewhere. The unexpected twist of the new partner also being the narrator adds a layer of complexity to the song, as he must balance his own happiness with the pain he knows he has caused. "Por Ese Hombre" is a powerful exploration of the emotional conflicts that arise when love changes and the difficult path toward acceptance and healing.

2. Spanish Translation

3. Pronunciation Guide – Sing with Confidence!

This song is slow, loud, and emotional—perfect for practicing theatrical Spanish. Think of this more like an acting scene with melody than just a song.

Challenging Sounds & Tips:

✅ The Spanish “J” – mujer, jamás, engañó

• The “j” is pronounced like a strong “h” from the throat.
  
  

• Jamás = ha-MAHS
  
  

• Mujer = moo-HER
  
  

✅ Stressed vowels with power

• Words like mentira, dolor, rabia need to sound intense and exaggerated:
  
  

• Mentira = men-TEE-ra
  
  

• Dolor = do-LOR → hold the o slightly longer for drama
  
  

✅ Consonant endings – por ese hombre, no te perdono

• Keep consonants clean and final: HOM-breh, per-DO-no
  
  

✅ Command forms – ¡vete!, ¡déjalo!

• Shouted phrases must sound sharp and strong—commanding and emotional.
  
  

🎵 Pro Tip:
Think of this as a soap opera fight scene. Enunciate each syllable like you’re shouting at someone who broke your heart… because in this song—you are!

4. Grammar & Vocabulary Highlights

This song is loaded with phrases about betrayal, heartbreak, confrontation, and emotional resolution. It uses mostly past tenses, along with imperatives, and conditional forms.

Key Vocabulary (10+):

Grammar Points:

📌 Past Tense – me engañó, lo amaste, lloré

• This song relies on the preterite (completed past actions):
  
  

• Él me engañó = He deceived me
  
  

• Tú lo amaste = You loved him

📌 Imperatives – vete, déjalo, no vuelvas

• ¡Vete! = Go away!
  
  

• ¡Déjalo! = Leave him!
  
  

• ¡No vuelvas! = Don’t come back!
  
  

📌 Reflexive verbs – me amó, se fue

• Se fue con ella = He left with her
  
  

• Me amó mientras mentía = He loved me while lying
  
  

📌 Double object structure

• Te perdono a ti, pero no a él = I forgive you, but not him
  
  

• Helps build more complex emotional statements
  
  

📌 Strong negation + emotion

• No te perdono nada = I forgive you nothing
  
  

Jamás lo olvidaré = I will never forget him

5. Practice & Activities

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

Por ese ______, por ese ______
Que tú te ______ sin importarte nada
Por ese ______ que tú ______, que tú ______
Que tú ______ como yo

🎶 B. Sing-Along Challenge

1. Speak the lines like an argument—practice tone and pacing.
   
   

2. Sing slowly at first, especially in the call-and-response moments.
   
   

3. Act it out if you want! (Highly recommended.)
   
   

🗣 C. Discussion Questions

1. Who is more hurt in this song—the man, the woman, or both?
   
   

2. Do you think they’re more angry at each other or at him?
   
   

3. How would this song feel if it were sung by two friends instead of rivals?
   
   

📝 D. Write Your Own Confrontation Line
Use this structure:

• Por ese [noun], yo [verb]
  Examples:
  
  

• Por ese amor, yo sufrí
  
  

• Por esa mentira, yo cambié para siempre
  
  

🎭 E. Dramatic Roleplay – Be the Star
Say these with passion, fire, and hand gestures:

• ¡Por ese hombre no te perdono! (rage)
  
  

• ¡Déjalo, no lo vale! (urgent advice)
  
  

• ¡No te confundas, yo también lo amé! (truth bomb)
  
  

This lesson lets you channel your inner diva, explore intense feelings in Spanish, and improve your command of emotional grammar and vocabulary. Let it all out—Pimpinela-style. 🎭💔🔥