Lástima – Bilingual Lyrics Spanish/English

• By: José José

Lyrics & Translation

If you want to understand the depth of Spanish romantic expression, 'Lástima' by José José is essential listening. The song is a masterclass in the Latin Pop ballad genre and an excellent way to grasp highly emotional, dramatic language. Focus on the repeated phrase, 'No me provoques' (Don't provoke me), and the word 'Lástima' itself to learn about Spanish expressions of pity, yearning, and internal conflict over a powerful, forbidden love.

[English]

Don’t tempt me,

look, I’m not alone.

Don’t flirt anymore.

Don’t tempt me,

you’re so beautiful

and it’s going to show.

Don’t tempt me,

don’t pout those lips

that I can’t kiss.

Don’t tempt me,

I desire you so much,

at least have mercy.

What a shame...

What I’d give to run to you

to hold you and escape

to the ends of the earth.

What a shame...

Who is that man beside you?

Maybe someday, somewhere...

but now...

Don’t tempt me,

stop looking at me,

you’re going to kill me.

Don’t tempt me,

you’re not alone either

and something’s going to happen.

Don’t tempt me,

don’t make me long for you,

don’t punish me anymore.

Don’t tempt me,

I’m defenseless

and that’s not right.

What a shame...

What I’d give to run to you

to take you and escape

to the ends of the earth.

What a shame...

Who is that man beside you?

Maybe someday, somewhere...

Life is long.

[Spanish]

No me provoques,

mira que no estoy solo.

No coquetees más.

No me provoques,

que tú eres muy bonita

y se te va a notar.

No me provoques,

no frunzas esos labios

que no podré besar.

No me provoques,

que te deseo mucho,

al menos ten piedad.

Lastima...

Cuánto daría por correr a ti

para abrazarte y poder huir

al fin del mundo.

Lastima...

¿Quién fuera ese que a tu lado va?

Quizá algún día en algún lugar...

pero ahora...

No me provoques,

deja ya de mirarme,

que me vas a matar.

No me provoques,

que tampoco estás sola

y algo nos va a pasar.

No me provoques,

no me hagas desearte,

no me castigues más.

No me provoques,

que yo estoy indefenso

y eso está muy mal.

Lastima...

Cuánto daría por correr a ti

para tomarte y poder huir

al fin del mundo.

Lastima...

¿Quién fuera ese que a tu lado va?

Quizá algún día en algún lugar...

La vida es larga.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
provocar provocar B2	verb - to provoke; to incite
mirar mirar A1	verb - to look; to watch
solo solo A1	adjective - alone; single
coquetear coquetear B2	verb - to flirt
bonita bonita A2	adjective - pretty; beautiful
notar notar B1	verb - to notice; to observe
fruncir fruncir B2	verb - to frown; to knit (brows)
labios labios A1	noun - lips
besar besar A1	verb - to kiss
desear desear B1	verb - to wish; to desire
piedad piedad B2	noun - pity; mercy
lá​stima lástima B2	noun - pity; regret
dar dar A1	verb - to give
correr correr A1	verb - to run
abrazar abrazar B1	verb - to hug; to embrace
huir huir B1	verb - to flee; to run away
fin fin A1	noun - end
mundo mundo A1	noun - world
indefenso indefenso B2	adjective - defenseless; vulnerable
vida vida A1	noun - life

Key Grammar Structures

• No me provoques, mira que no estoy solo.

  ➔ Present tense with imperative

  ➔ The verb 'provoques' is in the present tense and imperative mood, used to give a direct command or request.

• que tú eres muy bonita y se te va a notar.

  ➔ Future tense with 'ir a'

  ➔ The phrase 'se te va a notar' uses the construction 'ir a' to express a future action.

• No me provoques, que te deseo mucho, al menos ten piedad.

  ➔ Subjunctive mood with 'que'

  ➔ The verb 'ten' is in the subjunctive mood after 'que', expressing a wish or suggestion.

• Cuánto daría por correr a ti para abrazarte y poder huir.

  ➔ Conditional tense with 'daría'

  ➔ The verb 'daría' is in the conditional tense, expressing a hypothetical action or wish.

• ¿Quién fuera ese que a tu lado va?

  ➔ Subjunctive in interrogative sentence

  ➔ The verb 'fuera' is in the subjunctive mood, used in a question to express uncertainty or a hypothetical situation.