la la la
/la la la/from spelling rules
la la la is the Spanish way to say la la la.
The phrase la la la is an onomatopoeic representation used in informal settings to represent a melody when a singer does not know or cannot use the lyrics.
How do you pronounce it?
/la la la/
Did you know?
- The word la derives from the Old Spanish ela and the Latin illa, which was the feminine singular form of ille meaning 'that'.
- Because la is a common feminine article in Spanish, a sequence of these sounds can sound like a rhythmic repetition of 'the' to a native ear.
- While la la la mimics a melody, Spanish speakers also use tararear to describe the act of humming or singing a tune without words.
Examples in context
- El pájaro cantaba y silbaba alegremente en el jardín.The bird was singing and whistling cheerfully in the garden.
- Mientras caminaba por la calle, tarareaba una melodía pegadiza.While walking down the street, he was humming a catchy tune.
- Estaba en la ducha y simplemente cantaba 'la la la' sin preocupaciones.I was in the shower and just sang 'la la la' without a care in the world.
- Ella canta la la la sin letra.She sings la la la without lyrics.
- Solo decía la la la en la canción.He was only saying la la la in the song.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are trying to remember a song.
- Daniel¿Recuerdas cómo suena esa canción, Elena?Do you remember how that song sounds, Elena?
- ElenaSí, hace algo así como la la la.Yes, it goes something like la la la.
- Daniel¡Es esa! Pero no recuerdo la letra.That's it! But I don't remember the lyrics.
- ElenaNo importa, podemos cantar la la la juntos.It doesn't matter, we can sing la la la together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
