Bemba Colora

• By: Celia Cruz
• Album: Son Con Guaguanco

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
color /koˈloɾa/ A2	noun - visual perception through light wavelengths
bemba /ˈbemba/ B1	noun - a specific part of the face or body, often referring to the lip or a facial feature in some Latin American contexts
canta /ˈkanta/ A1	verb - to sing
rumba /ˈrumba/ B1	noun - a lively dance of Afro-Cuban origin
son /sɔn/ A2	noun - a genre of traditional Cuban music and dance
guarachita /gwaɾaˈtʃita/ B2	noun - diminutive form of 'guaracha', a lively Cuban dance or music style
danson /danˈson/ B2	noun - a type of Cuban folk or dance music
haz /as/ A2	verb - to do or make (informal imperative form)
negro /ˈneɣɾo/ A2	noun - black person

Grammar:

• Pa' mi, tu no eres na'

  ➔ Negation with 'no' to express 'not'.

  ➔ The phrase "tu no eres na" means "you are nothing".

• Tu tienes la Bemba Colora

  ➔ Use of 'tienes' (you have) to indicate possession.

  ➔ The phrase "tu tienes la Bemba Colora" means "you have the red lip".

• Canta tu rumba

  ➔ Imperative form to give a command.

  ➔ The phrase "canta tu rumba" means "sing your rumba".

• Te creció la bemba colora

  ➔ Use of 'creció' (grew) in the past tense.

  ➔ The phrase "te creció la bemba colora" means "your red lip grew".

• Oye negro tu no te haz visto la bemba

  ➔ Use of 'oye' (hey) as an informal address.

  ➔ The phrase "oye negro" means "hey black (man)".

• Recoge, recoge, recoge la bemba

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis in commands.

  ➔ The phrase "recoge, recoge, recoge" means "pick up, pick up, pick up".

• Ay colora, colora, colora, colora

  ➔ Use of exclamatory expressions for emotion.

  ➔ The phrase "ay colora" expresses excitement about the color.