Narcos Episode 1 — The Spanish Course Officially Begins

Today inside La Tribu, the Narcos Spanish course officially begins. Episode 1. The Cucaracha scene. Real dialogue in Spanish and English side by side, with street expressions, formal vs informal register, and the cultural context that makes it all stick. This week’s BlanBla email gives you the full English version of the scene — so you can compare, understand, and then watch it in Spanish. This is how you learn a language through a story.

The Original Email

Today we officially start the Narcos course inside La Tribu.

We begin with Episode 1.

The conversation between Pablo and “Cucaracha” is pure gold.

Not just because of the story. But because of the language.

Here is the short version in English:

Escobar: Nice to meet you.

Gustavo: Mateo Moreno.

Cucaracha: No, no. Cucaracha, for friends.

Gustavo: This business can be very profitable for us.

Cucaracha: I get the paste from Peru. I handle the chemical part.

Gustavo: How much does it cost?

Cucaracha: In Chile, this costs 10 dollars per gram.

Escobar: They sell it by the gram?

Cucaracha: We can sell it in Cali, Bogotá… We’re going to get rich.

Escobar: Listen, Cuca. You don’t have vision.

If it costs 10 dollars here… how much do you think it will cost in Miami?

In the lesson, we explain:

Simple, real Spanish. Street expressions. Formal and informal language.

“Todos tienen un precio, lo importante es averiguar cuál es.”

Pablo Escobar. Un filósofo.

Mañana más. Besos y amor, Mónica.

Comparing the Two Versions

One of the most effective techniques for language learning is parallel text — reading the same content in both languages simultaneously. Your brain maps the structures automatically, without conscious grammar study. That’s why this email gives you both the Spanish and English versions of the Cucaracha scene.

Notice these translation differences:
• Encantado de conocerte → “Nice to meet you” (literally “delighted to know you”)
• Este negocio puede ser muy rentable → “This business can be very profitable” (word for word!)
• Me encargo de la parte química → “I handle the chemical part” (encargar = to handle/take charge)
• Nos vamos a hacer ricos → “We’re going to get rich” (future with ir a)

The Pablo Escobar Quote

“Todos tienen un precio, lo importante es averiguar cuál es.” — Everyone has a price, the important thing is finding out what it is. Averiguar = to find out, to ascertain. A verb worth knowing. Tengo que averiguarlo = I need to find it out.

Access the full course inside La Tribu — scenes, vocabulary, cultural breakdowns, conversation practice. Join here — or start with the free Spanish book.

— Monica Bernabe Perez