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guaracha means lively song — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 30, 2026

😆 Funny Words

guaracha

noun • /[gwa-RA-cha]/

lively song

Example:

Vamos a bailar una guaracha.

Let’s dance a guaracha.

🧠 What does guaracha mean?

Guaracha refers to a genre of lively, fast-paced music and dance that originated in Cuba. It is characterized by a quick tempo and often features humorous, satirical, or picaresque lyrics that comment on daily life or social events. While the term is rooted in this traditional Cuban style, in more recent years it has also been used to name a popular subgenre of electronic dance music in Colombia and other parts of Latin America.

📚 Extra examples

  • La orquesta tocó una guaracha y todos se levantaron a bailar.
    The orchestra played a guaracha and everyone got up to dance.
  • En la fiesta de anoche no paraba de sonar la guaracha.
    At last night's party, the guaracha music wouldn't stop playing.
  • Las letras de las guarachas antiguas suelen ser muy ingeniosas y cómicas.
    The lyrics of old guarachas tend to be very witty and comical.
  • Celia Cruz es una de las intérpretes de guaracha más famosas del mundo.
    Celia Cruz is one of the most famous guaracha performers in the world.

💡 Did You Know?

The guaracha first appeared in the 19th century as part of Cuban 'teatro bufo,' a type of satirical musical comedy. The songs served as interludes between acts, and their witty, often provocative lyrics provided commentary on current events and social customs.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "guaracha"

Synonyms: rumba, son, salsa
Opposites: balada, bolero, canción de cuna

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'lively song' in Spanish?
A general term for 'lively song' is 'canción animada' or 'canción movida'. However, 'guaracha' refers to a specific, fast-paced musical genre from Cuba, so it is used when referring to that particular style.
How do you pronounce 'guaracha' in Spanish?
The word is pronounced /ɡwaˈɾa.tʃa/. The 'gua' sounds like 'gwah', 'ra' has a soft, tapped 'r' sound, and 'cha' is pronounced like the 'cha' in 'cha-cha'.
How do you use 'guaracha' in a sentence?
'Guaracha' is a feminine noun. A common sentence would be: 'Pusieron una guaracha para animar la celebración.' (They put on a guaracha to liven up the celebration.)
What is the English translation of 'guaracha'?
The word 'guaracha' is typically kept in English, as it is the name of a specific music and dance genre. It can be described as a 'lively Cuban song' or simply 'guaracha music'.
Does 'guaracha' change for gender or number?
As a feminine noun, it does not change for gender. It does change for number: the singular is 'la guaracha' and the plural is 'las guarachas'.
Is 'guaracha' common in everyday Spanish?
The term is very common in Caribbean countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Colombia, as well as in communities where this music is popular. In other Spanish-speaking regions, it is less common but generally understood in the context of music.
Does 'guaracha' have slang or double meanings?
Primarily, it refers to the music genre. In some informal contexts, the phrase 'irse de guaracha' can mean 'to go out partying'. Additionally, a modern electronic music genre, also called 'guaracha', is very popular in Colombia and distinct from the traditional Cuban style.
Is 'guaracha' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
Yes. The term originates from and is most associated with Latin America, specifically the Caribbean. In Spain, the word is known but used far less frequently. The modern electronic genre of 'guaracha' is almost exclusively a Latin American phenomenon.

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