cover
/kobeɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cover song" is translated into Spanish as cover.
In informal musical contexts, Spanish speakers often use the English loanword cover to refer to a new recording of a song that was previously released by a different artist.
Which one should you use?
While cover is used informally, the standard Spanish term to describe a cover of a song is versión.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico or Argentina, the informal phrase hacer un cover is common.
How do you pronounce it?
/kobeɾ/
Did you know?
- While musicians often use the English loanword cover, if you describe a song as a cubierta, you are talking about a physical lid or a protective layer rather than a musical rendition.
- In the context of Latin American pop, a versión is often used specifically to describe a song originally in English that has been translated and recorded in Spanish.
- While versión is the standard term, if a singer changes the lyrics or the mood of a song significantly, they might call it a versión libre to signal it is a loose interpretation.
Examples in context
- En mi último álbum, incluiré una versión de una canción icónica de los Beatles.In my last album, I will include a version of an iconic Beatles song.
- Ayer en el bar, escuché a una banda local hacer un cover de una canción popular.Yesterday at the bar, I heard a local band do a cover of a popular song.
- Me gusta cómo esta banda versiona canciones clásicas del rock.I like how this band versions classic rock songs.
- Hizo un cover de esa canción.He/she did a cover of that song.
- Esta es una versión de la canción original.This is a version of the original song.
- Ese cover es muy famoso.That cover is very famous.
- Me encanta este cover de rock.I love this rock cover.
- Ella grabó un cover de jazz.She recorded a jazz cover.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about music.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿escuchaste el nuevo cover de Elena?Daniel, did you hear Elena's new cover?
- DanielNo, ¿qué canción eligió ella?No, what song did she choose?
- ElenaEs un cover de un grupo de los ochenta.It is a cover of a group from the eighties.
- DanielSuena genial, voy a buscarlo ahora.That sounds great, I'm going to look for it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
