El Triste – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: José José

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the poignant world of "El Triste" by José José, a classic Latin ballad that masterfully conveys profound sorrow and enduring love. By exploring its rich, poetic Spanish lyrics and José José's unparalleled emotive delivery, you'll not only connect with a powerful narrative but also gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and nuance of the Spanish language through one of its most iconic musical expressions.

[English]

How sad it was to say goodbye

When we adored each other the most

Even the swallow has emigrated

Foretelling the end

How sad everything looks without you

The seas of the beaches are leaving

The colors are tinged with gray

Today everything is loneliness

I don't know if I'll see you again

I don't know what will become of my life

Without the blue star of your being

That no longer lights my way

Today I want to savor my pain

I ask for no compassion or pity

The story of this love was written

For eternity

How sad, everyone says I am

That I'm always talking about you

They don't know that thinking of your love

Of your love

I've been able to help myself live

I've been able to help myself live

Ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah, ah-ah

Today I want to savor my pain

I ask for no compassion or pity

The story of this love was written

For eternity

How sad, everyone says I am

That I'm always talking about you

They don't know that thinking of your love

Of your love

I've been able to help myself live

I've been able to help myself live

I've been able to help myself live

...

[Spanish]

Qué triste fue decirnos adiós

Cuando nos adorábamos más

Hasta la golondrina emigró

Presagiando el final

Qué triste luce todo sin ti

Los mares de las playas se van

Se tiñen los colores de gris

Hoy todo es soledad

No sé si vuelva a verte después

No sé qué de mi vida será

Sin el lucero azul de tu ser

Que no me alumbra ya

Hoy quiero saborear mi dolor

No pido compasión ni piedad

La historia de este amor se escribió

Para la eternidad

Qué triste, todos dicen que soy

Que siempre estoy hablando de ti

No saben que pensando en tu amor

En tu amor

He podido ayudarme a vivir

He podido ayudarme a vivir

Ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah, ah-ah

Hoy quiero saborear mi dolor

No pido compasión ni piedad

La historia de este amor se escribió

Para la eternidad

Qué triste, todos dicen que soy

Que siempre estoy hablando de ti

No saben que pensando en tu amor

En tu amor

He podido ayudarme a vivir

He podido ayudarme a vivir

He podido ayudarme a vivir

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
triste /ˈtriste/ A2	adjective - sad
adiós /aˈðjos/ A1	noun - goodbye
amor /aˈmor/ A1	noun - love
dolor /doˈloɾ/ B1	noun - pain
soledad /soleˈðad/ B1	noun - solitude
historia /isˈtoɾja/ A2	noun - story
vida /ˈbiða/ A1	noun - life
luz /luθ/ A2	noun - light
colores /koˈloɾes/ A2	noun - colors
mar /maɾ/ A1	noun - sea
playa /ˈplaʝa/ A1	noun - beach
vuelve /ˈbwelβe/ B1	verb - to return
saber /saˈβeɾ/ B1	verb - to know
pensar /penˈsaɾ/ B1	verb - to think
ayudar /aʝuˈðaɾ/ B1	verb - to help
eternidad /eteɾniˈðað/ B2	noun - eternity

Key Grammar Structures

• Qué triste fue decirnos adiós

  ➔ Use of the adjective 'triste' to express sadness.

  ➔ The phrase expresses a deep sense of sadness about saying goodbye.

• No sé si vuelva a verte después

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood 'vuelva' to express uncertainty.

  ➔ This line indicates doubt about seeing someone again in the future.

• Hoy quiero saborear mi dolor

  ➔ Use of the verb 'quiero' to express desire.

  ➔ This line expresses a desire to experience and embrace pain.

• La historia de este amor se escribió para la eternidad

  ➔ Use of the passive voice 'se escribió' to indicate an action done to the subject.

  ➔ This line suggests that the story of love is eternal and has been written.

• Qué triste, todos dicen que soy

  ➔ Use of the phrase 'todos dicen' to express what others say.

  ➔ This line reflects how others perceive the speaker's sadness.

• He podido ayudarme a vivir

  ➔ Use of the present perfect 'he podido' to indicate an action that has relevance to the present.

  ➔ This line indicates that the speaker has found a way to live despite the pain.