What Makes Bad Bunny Useful for Learners?

Bad Bunny’s lyrics are packed with everyday vocabulary, slang, and regional expressions that reflect how Spanish is spoken in real life, especially in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. While it might not be the best place to learn textbook grammar, his music is a gold mine for learning aspects of informal speech and cultural references. And because music is highly memorable, you’re more likely to remember a word or phrase if you’ve heard it in a favorite song.

Common Words and Phrases in Bad Bunny's Lyrics

Here are some Spanish words and expressions that often show up in Bad Bunny’s songs along with what they mean:

• bellaquear – "to flirt" or "to hook up"
• bebé – "baby" (used as a term of endearment)
• chavos – "money"
• flow – "personal style" or "vibe" (borrowed from English)
• janguear – "to hang out"
• mami / papi – "babe" / "baby" (used flirtatiously)
• perrear – "to twerk" or "to dance suggestively" (from perro, the Spanish word for "dog")
• tóxico – "toxic" (often used to describe a dramatic or difficult partner)

These words might not show up in traditional Spanish classes, but they’re part of how many Spanish speakers talk in casual settings, especially younger speakers in Puerto Rico.

How to Learn Spanish with Music

Here are a few tips to get the most language value out of your Bad Bunny sessions:

1. Look Up the Lyrics

Start by reading the lyrics in Spanish while listening. Sites like SpanishDictionary.com can help you figure out the meaning of unknown words and phrases.

2. Focus on One or Two Songs

Don’t try to decode an entire album at once. Choose a couple of songs you like and listen to them repeatedly. The repetition helps the vocabulary stick.

3. Make a Slang List

Keep a list of slang words and expressions you hear often. Try to understand their meaning based on the context in the song, and then confirm with a reliable source like SpanishDictionary.com.

4. Speak or Write with the Words

After learning a new word, try using it in a sentence. For example, if you learned janguear, you might say: El sábado fuimos a janguear al parque. ("On Saturday, we went to hang out at the park.")

A Word of Caution

While learning Spanish through music is fun and effective, keep in mind that song lyrics are often full of slang, and many of the expressions used are highly informal—or even explicit! If you’re a beginner or teaching kids, preview the lyrics first to make sure they’re age-appropriate.

It's also important to remember that slang varies from country to country. What sounds cool in Puerto Rico might not make sense in Spain or Argentina; it could even mean something completely different!

Final Thoughts

Bad Bunny won't replace your Spanish teacher, but his music is a powerful way to connect with the language — and the culture — in a fun, authentic way. Whether you're dancing to Tití Me Preguntó ("Titi Asked Me") or vibing to Yo Perreo Sola ("I Twerk Alone"), you're being exposed to how Spanish is spoken in real life.

So the next time you put on a Bad Bunny track, grab your headphones and maybe even a notebook. You might be learning more Spanish than you think!