Juanito Alimaña Hector Lavoe Translation Meaning and Lyrics
Song Meaning
'Juanito Alimaña' means 'Juanito Alimaña' in English. It is a name of a song by 'Hector Lavoe' human translated here by a native speaker.
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Lyrics and Translations
'Juanito Alimaña' human translated and annotated. Look for notes about interesting vocabulary, language constructions, idioms, changes to transcribed words, grammar rules and general info that our members have discovered
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auxiliary (with a followed by the infinitive) to be going to (near future), to go
to
intransitive:of a structure to face, overlook (to be oriented towards a certain direction or thing)
1st Person Singular Indicative Present
of the verb ir
Infinitive
Jum
,
I am not even
going
to
look that way
1
“Jum” is a Spanish onomatopoeia that expresses disgust, in conformity with something, an easy example can be:
“Jum, no me gusta el pure de papas” – “Jum, I don’t like smashed potatoes”
4
“Pa'ya” is a contraction for both words “Para” and “allá” and the meaning of this contraction varies depending on the context, however, in this case, and most of them it will mean something like “That way or there”
Aligned Translation: Jum, I'm not even going to look that way
Free Translation: Jum, I'm not even going to look there
it, neuter third-person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used only to refer to facts, sets of things, and indefinite things that have been mentioned before; generally used with prepositions and rarely used as a subject, except in literary style).
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
to drink, have (especially an alcoholicbeverage)
His, hers, its, to her.
2nd Person Singular Imperative Affirmative Tuteo
of the verb tomar
He
takes
his
drink
4
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
to, in order to, so, for (expressing the intended purpose of an action)
to put, to insert
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
anatomy:of a personhand
Infinitive
To
put your
hands on him
1,2,3,4,5
“Pa' meterle mano” is a colloquial expression in Latin America, often used in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominica, and it means when someone is captured by the justice. “Pa' meterle mano” also means when a criminal, politician, or someone who is doing an illegal activity has enough political, social, criminal influence to avoid justice and it is difficult to judge him. Some examples for the expression are:
“Tienes que ser un loco pa' meterle mano a un político corrupto” – You must be crazy to try to get in jail a corrupt politician”
“Ese delincuente hace lo que quiere, pa' meterle mano tienes que arriesgar tu vida” – “That criminal does as he pleases, you must risk your life to capture him”
In the song, Juanito Alimaña is a criminal, everyone knows him, but ignores the fact, the song lyrics say: “Pa' meterle mano, hay que ser un bravo” that means: “You have to be very brave to get him in prison”
“Meterle mano” taking out the “Pa'” has other meanings too:
it can refer to sexual activity:
“Él quiere Meterle mano a ella” – “He wants to have sex with her (Touch her body sexually)”
It can refer when you try to fix something:
“Tengo que meterle mano a la lavadora” – “I need to fix the washing machine”
It can also refer when you try to get or reach something, some examples are:
“Necesito meterle mano a esos documentos legales” – “I need to put my hands on those legal documents”
“Necesito meterle mano a mis estudios” – “I need to focus on my studies”
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
(neuter definite article used to make abstract nouns from adjectives); the
that; which
to see (literally)
2nd Person Singular Imperative Affirmative Tuteo
of the verb ver
He
,
he
robs
everything he sees
4
“Tumba'o” is a contraction for both words “Tumba” and “Todo”. Is needed to clarify some things in this sentence. The word “Tumba, tumbar” In Latin-American has multiple meanings depending on the context, for example:
a “Tumba” can refer to a “grave”
“Necesito visitor la tumba de mi padre” – “I need to visit my father tomb (grave)
“Tumba, tumbar” can also mean when you push something.
“Él me tumbo al suelo” – “He pushed me to the floor”
And, finally, in the lyric’s context, “Tumbar” means to rob, steal, to take what is not of your belongings as a colloquial expression, it can be used as a funny or serious matter for example:
“Me tumbaste el dinero que tenia en la mesa” – “You stole the money I had on the table”
“Le tumbe una goma de mascar a mi compañero de clases” – “I took a bubble gum from my classmate (without he realizing it)”
“Tumbar” is used when the robbed thing is small, insignificant, or a common crime stealing. You can’t say “Los ladrones tumbaron dinero del banco” – “The robbers stole money from the bank”
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
to see (literally)
badly, poorly, ill
transitive:reflexive or non-reflexive to put, to put up, to place, to lay
2nd Person Singular Imperative Affirmative Tuteo
of the verb ver
Pastparticiple Singular Masculine
of the verb poner
If
he
see it
badly
placed
4,5
“Mal puesto” In Latin-American, there is a criminal slang, a colloquial expression for “Mal puesto” something that is “Mal puesto” – “wrongly placed” is something that you can rob easily, or is something that the owner left for you to take without problems, some examples are:
“Me robe un teléfono que estaba mal puesto” – “I robbed a phone that was badly placed”
“Deje mal puesta mi cartera y alguien se la llevo” – “I left my wallet wrongly placed and someone took it”
Aligned Translation: If he see it wrongly placed
Free Translation: If he see something wrongly placed
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
Aligned Translation: Women, smoke and alcohol
Free Translation: Women, smoke and alcohol
Lingo Script Icons:
Line 55
220Atracando (atracando vive Juanito Alimaña)
Original Lyrics:
Atracando (atracando vive Juanito Alimaña)
he, him, masculine personal third person subject and disjunctive pronoun (used as a subject and after prepositions)
(First-person singular pronoun in the nominative case); I.
to say, to tell
2nd Person Singular Indicative Imperfect Polite
of the verb decir
And
he
was telling me
2
“Guilla'o” is the contraction of the colloquial word “Guillado” its significance changes depending on the country and the conversation context, however in this sentence “Guilla'o” can be explained when someone is high (by drug effects) or very relaxed. Usually, you can say that someone has a “Guilla'o face because is relaxed, or with a high looking-face.
The song lyrics say: “Y guilla'o el me decía” – “Relaxed he was saying to me”
Aligned Translation: And relaxed he was telling me
(neuter definite article used to make abstract nouns from adjectives); the
what; which
(Second person pronoun in singular tense) (informal communication in Spain and Mexico). you; thou (cognate).
to desire, to want, to want to
Infinitive
2nd Person Singular Subjunctive Present Tuteo
of the verb querer
Take
here
what
you
want
1
“Tumba'o” is a contraction for both words “Tumba” and “Todo”. Is needed to clarify some things in this sentence. The word “Tumba, tumbar” In Latin-American has multiple meanings depending on the context, for example:
a “Tumba” can refer to a “grave”
“Necesito visitor la tumba de mi padre” – “I need to visit my father tomb (grave)
“Tumba, tumbar” can also mean when you push something.
“Él me tumbo al suelo” – “He pushed me to the floor”
And, finally, in the lyric’s context, “Tumbar” means to rob, steal, to take what is not of your belongings as a colloquial expression, it can be used as a funny or serious matter for example:
“Me tumbaste el dinero que tenia en la mesa” – “You stole the money I had on the table”
“Le tumbe una goma de mascar a mi compañero de clases” – “I took a bubble gum from my classmate (without he realizing it)”
“Tumbar” is used when the robbed thing is small, insignificant, or a common crime stealing. You can’t say “Los ladrones tumbaron dinero del banco” – “The robber stole money from the bank”
me; (declined form of yo used as the object of a preposition)
cousin (of male or unspecified gender)
to be (essentially or identified as).
police officer (a member of a police force)
2nd Person Singular Indicative Present Polite
of the verb ser
Because
me
cousin
is a
police officer
1
“Pue'” is the contraction of the word “Pues”. “Pues” can result in a complex word for Spanish learners since his meaning change depending on the conversation context. It can be translated as “because, you see, well, so” and many other words. Some examples are:
“Pues termine visitando a mis padres este fin de semana” – “So I ended up visiting my parents this weekend”, in this example, “Pues” is translated as “So”.
“Pues mi primo es policia” – “Because mi cousin is a policeman” In this case, “Pues” is translated as “Because”
“Pues no quería hacerlo, pero no quedo de otra” – “Well, I didn’t want to do it, but there was no other way”, in this case, “Pues” is translated as “Well”
It may look a little difficult to identify but with practice, it will result easy to understand. Many Spanish conversations use the word “Pues” constantly.
Aligned Translation: Because my cousin is a policeman
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
alcohol
demonstrativethat
to be (essentially or identified as).
2nd Person Singular Indicative Present Polite
of the verb ser
Women
,
smoke
,
and
alcohol
,
He is
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
Aligned Translation: Women, smoke and alcohol, is that one
Free Translation: Women, smoke and alcohol, is that one
transitive to take, to carry, to take away, to carry away, to carryaround, to bring, to bear, to lug (implies to move something further from who speaks)
Masculine singular definite article; the.
devil
2nd Person Singular Imperative Affirmative Tuteo
of the verb llevar
Hey
,
like
soul
that
carries
the
devil
3,4,5,6,7,8
“Como alma que lleva el diablo” is a popular saying in Latin-American and it means “with fear, nervous, quickly, running away fast. This is often used to express when someone tries and do something quickly or very fast to leave the place where is doing the activity as quickly as possible, or when you see someone, you don’t like you abandon the place rapidly to not see that person, an example is:
“Cuando me vio salió como alma que lleva el diablo” – “When he saw me he ran away quickly”
Aligned Translation: Hey, like a soul that carries the devil
Free Translation: Hey, like a soul that carries the devil
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
colloquialhigh, smoked up, fried (intoxicated from smoking, especially marijuana)
and
women
,
smoking
,
and
alcohol
6
“Caña” is a word that can be translated as “Cane” but in some Latin-American countries like Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, etc depending on the context it may have a different meaning. It is not difficult to understand its other significance, is often used when drinking alcohol, for example:
“Vamos a ir a beber caña” – “Lets go drink alcohol”
“Ese toma caña todos los fines de semana” – “He drinks alcohol all weekends”
“Caña” doesn’t refer to a specific drink, but to alcohol in general.
auxiliary verb taking past participle to build various perfect tenses to have
auxiliary verb taking past participle to build various perfect tenses to have
to rob
2nd Person Singular Indicative Present Polite
of the verb haber
2nd Person Singular Indicative Present Polite
of the verb haber
Infinitive
Who has not been robbed by him
3,4
“Echa'o” is the contraction of the word “Echado”
9
“Tumba'o” is a contraction for both words “Tumba” and “Todo”. Is needed to clarify some things in this sentence. The word “Tumba, tumbar” In Latin-American has multiple meanings depending on the context, for example:
a “Tumba” can refer to a “grave”
“Necesito visitor la tumba de mi padre” – “I need to visit my father tomb (grave)
“Tumba, tumbar” can also mean when you push something.
“Él me tumbo al suelo” – “He pushed me to the floor”
And, finally, in the lyric’s context, “Tumbar” means to rob, steal, to take what is not of your belongings as a colloquial expression, it can be used as a funny or serious matter for example:
“Me tumbaste el dinero que tenia en la mesa” – “You stole the money I had on the table”
“Le tumbe una goma de mascar a mi compañero de clases” – “I took a bubble gum from my classmate (without he realizing it)”
“Tumbar” is used when the robbed thing is small, insignificant, or a common crime stealing. You can’t say “Los ladrones tumbaron dinero del banco” – “The robber stole money from the bank”
Aligned Translation: Who has not been robbed by him
“Juanito Alimaña” is a song by two great artists of the Salsa genre, Willie Colón, and Héctor Lavoe. “Juanito Alimaña” alongside “Pedro Navaja” are classics from Latin music.
The song was launched in the studio album “Vigilante” in 1983 and was a total success around Latin-American and certain Hispanic communities in the USA.
The song tells us the story of “Juanito Alimaña” a dangerous criminal who makes his living stealing people in the streets. He spends his free time smoking, drinking, and with women. Everybody knows him, they know he is a criminal but nobody does anything because Juanito Alimaña has a cousin working as a police officer, and every time he ends up in jail, the next day is out again to continue his criminal life.
The narrator tells us that Juanito Alimaña acts freely and he can do whatever he wants as one day the narrator encountered him in the streets, they talked a while and entering into a business Juanito told the narrator, “Pick (steal) whatever you want, my cousin is a policeman”
Now, in terms of learning this song can be considered hard for an average Spanish student, the song is full of complicated sentences, colloquial sayings, and street slang that difficult the understand the lyrics. Juanito Alimaña is a street story, for that reason, some words may be unknown and some expressions completely new for someone who is learning Spanish just through books. However, if you like challenges, this is song is perfect for you or if you are an experienced Spanish speaker who wants to learn even more content.
If you liked “Juanito Alimaña” another great song that speaks about the Latin-American people's struggle is Maná's song “Desapariciones”
Submitted by user: ANITA
Average Ratings
Most people find the song lyrics very hard to understand lyrics,
lyrics sung fast and it has
easy to remember verbs and nouns
RAE Based on a median word frequency of 14471 using the frequency database from the Royal Spanish Academy (La Real Academia Española)
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