You’ve heard artists brag about being “big in Japan,” but Spanish-language music is making serious waves somewhere else entirely: China.

Turns out, Chinese college students are tuning in to the likes of Bad Bunny and J Balvin—not just to vibe, but to study. Reggaeton, with its infectious rhythms and catchy hooks, has become an unlikely gateway for learning Spanish.

According to a study from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, the number of Chinese students enrolled in its Spanish translation and language programs has jumped 37% over the past five years. But here’s the twist: while China’s schools have tons of resources for learning English, Spanish options are still pretty limited. So students are going DIY—with music, streaming platforms, and a whole lot of creativity.

One hotspot for this trend? NetEase Cloud Music (NECM), a Chinese streaming site where Latin music fans are translating reggaeton lyrics for millions of viewers. It’s not just about word-for-word translations, either. The study found that most translators use clever cultural swaps to make the lyrics resonate. For example, the phrase “get stood up” becomes “free a dove,” a poetic Chinese expression for breaking a promise.

Of course, translating reggaeton comes with its own set of challenges. Besides the usual slang and double meanings, translators also have to work around censorship. Sexual references—pretty common in reggaeton—are often redacted, and Chinese language structure makes it tricky to hide sensitive content without changing the meaning. It’s a balancing act between creativity, accuracy, and not getting banned.

Still, it’s working. The UPF now has nearly 275 Chinese students enrolled, and some are becoming mini-celebrities on music platforms. One student, who goes by the alias “Benito,” has over 1,300 followers and racked up more than 2 million views on his lyric translations.

From Puerto Rico to Chengdu, it’s amazing how music can bridge cultures—and maybe even help someone ace a Spanish exam.