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    5. Correr la tuna
    Artistic representation of Correr la tuna
    Spanish•
    🇦🇷Argentina🇨🇱Chile🇲🇽Mexico🇵🇪Peru🇪🇸Spain🇺🇾Uruguay

    Correr la tuna

    /KOH-rehr lah TOO-nah/

    Meaning

    This phrase literally translates to 'to run the tuna,' referring to the traditional practice of student troubadours, known as 'tunas,' who travel from town to town performing music and soliciting funds. It evokes a sense of youthful camaraderie, bohemian spirit, and a romanticized, often impoverished, artistic lifestyle. There's a bittersweet undertone of fleeting youth and the pursuit of art and connection despite hardship, a vibrant yet transient existence that is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Spanish-speaking student traditions.

    Literal Translation

    to run the tuna

    How It's Used

    Used to describe the activity of student musicians (tunas) traveling, performing, and collecting money, often in a festive or romanticized context.

    Emotions
    belonging,bittersweet,joy,nostalgia
    Contexts
    celebration,friendship,music,travel
    🇦🇷Argentina🇨🇱Chile🇲🇽Mexico🇵🇪Peru🇪🇸Spain🇺🇾Uruguay

    by Anya Petrova·Written Mar 14, 2026·Updated Apr 3, 2026

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