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Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics | 'Tomorrow' Korean Lyrics Explained

  • Sep 23, 2025
  • 43 min read

Updated: Jul 19

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Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics | 'Tomorrow' Vocabulary in Context

Let’s study Korean with BTS Lyrics! In this post, we’ll break down each lyric in BTS’ ‘Tomorrow’ with detailed vocabulary and grammar notes to help you understand the meaning of the Korean used. Whether you’re a fan looking to deepen your connection to the music or a language learner studying through lyrics, this post is for you. Click the expand arrow beside each lyric to view the notes and explanations for that line.


Want to turn this into a study challenge? Try reading each line and testing your understanding before checking the notes. See how much you can recognize on your own—then expand the section to check your answers and learn something new. It’s a great way to strengthen your Korean comprehension while enjoying BTS’s lyrics.


To take your practice even further, I’ve also linked videos from my YouTube channel in this post—perfect for reviewing vocab, testing your lyric knowledge, and making your BTS Korean study sessions more fun and interactive.


자, 시작해 볼까? Let’s dive into the lyrics and learn Korean with BTS!


BTS (방탄소년단) - 'Tomorrow' Lyrics (With English Translation & Korean Grammar/Vocabulary Notes)


같은: same (describing a noun)

  • 같다 (to be the same, identical) + -은 (adjective modifier) → 같은 (same)

날: day (short form of “날짜” = date, day)


달: month (also means “moon,” but here it means “month”)


매번: every time

  • 매- (each, every) + 번 (time/occasion)


반복되는: repeating / that repeats

  • 반복 (repetition, repeat) + 되다 (to become, to be done) + -는 (present tense modifier) → 반복되는 (repeating / that repeats)


매 순간: every moment

  • 매- (each, every) + 순간 (moment)


어중간한: halfway / mediocre / in-between (not one thing, not another)

  • 어중간하다 (to be halfway / incomplete / neither here nor there) + -한 (adjective modifier, modifies a noun)

*어중간하다 means to be incomplete or awkwardly in-between—not fully one thing or another. 어중간한 is the form used before a noun, meaning "halfway," "in-between," "mediocre," "awkward," "neither here nor there," "vague," "half-hearted," or "unclear / indecisive," depending on the context.


내 삶: my life

  • 내 (my) + 삶 (life, existence, living)


20대의: (of the) twenties

  • 20대 (someone in their twenties) + -의 (possessive “of”)


백수는: unemployed person (topic)

  • 백수 (unemployed person / jobless (slang, literally “white hand,” meaning empty-handed) + -는 (topic particle)


내일이: tomorrow (as the subject)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -이 (subject marker)


두려워: afraid / fearful

  • 두렵다 (to fear, to be afraid) → 두려워 (informal present form)


참: really / truly / quite


웃기지: isn’t it funny / it’s funny

  • 웃기다 (to be funny, laughable) + -지 (sentence ending, adds nuance like “isn’t it?” or “you know”)


어릴 땐: when (I was) young

  • 어리다 (to be young) + -(으)ㄹ 때 ("when..." or "at the time that...") + -는 (topic particle) (땐 = contracted form of 때는)

*V-(으)ㄹ 때 means "when..." or "at the time that..." It is attached to the verb stem to refer to the time when an action or state occurs. When 는 is added (V-(으)ㄹ 때는, here contracted to 땐), it marks that time as the topic and often adds a sense of contrast.


뭐든: anything, whatever

  • 뭐 (what) + -든 (any, whichever)


가능할거라: that it would be possible

  • 가능하다 (to be possible) + -ㄹ 거라 (contracted from -ㄹ 것이라고 → "that it would...")

*V-(으)ㄹ 거라 is a shortened form of V-(으)ㄹ 거라고. It introduces a quoted statement, similar to the English word that. It is commonly used before verbs such as 생각하다 (to think), 믿다 (to believe), 알다 (to know), and 말하다 (to say).


믿었었는데: (I) used to believe (but…)

  • 믿다 (to believe) + -었었- (used to / had) + -는데 (sentence ending meaning "but," "however," "though," or introducing background/context)

*V-았/었었- indicates that something was true in the past but is no longer true, or it emphasizes that an event happened at an earlier point in the past. It refers to something that used to be the case or had happened previously.

믿었는데 → I believed, but... / I believed, and...

믿었었는데 → I used to believe, but... / I had believed, but... / I once believed, but...


하루를: one day (object)

  • 하루 (one day; a day; the day) + -를 (object marker)


벌어: earn

  • 벌다 (to earn) → 벌어 (present informal)


사는 게: living / the act of living / life

  • 살다 (to live) + -는 것 (nominalizes a verb, turning it into "the act of V-ing" or "doing V") + 이 (subject marker) → 것이 contracted to 게


빠듯하단 걸: that (it) is tight / that (things) are difficult / that (there isn't enough)

  • 빠듯하다 (to be tight; to be barely enough; to be strained (time, money, schedule, etc.)) + -다는 것 (nominalizes a quoted statement, meaning "the fact that..." or "that...") [빠듯하다는 is contracted here to 빠듯하단] + -을 (object marker) → contracted to 걸


느꼈을 때: when (I) felt / when (I) realized

  • 느끼다 (to feel; to sense; to realize) + -었- (past) → 느꼈- + -을 때 (when)



내내: the whole time / all along


기분은: mood (topic)

  • 기분 (feeling, mood) + -은 (topic marker)


*The phrase "컨트롤 비트" is not a standard Korean or English expression, so I'm not completely sure what the intended meaning is. One possible reading, with the following line, "계속해서 다운되네" ("It keeps going down"), suggests that the beat reflects or even drives his downward emotional state. What do you think Suga meant by "control beat"? I'd love to hear your interpretation in the comments.


계속해서: continuously / continually / keep (doing) / without stopping

  • 계속 (continuation; continuously) + 하다 (to do) → 계속하다 (to continue) → 계속해서 (continuing; continuously; by continuing)

*-해서 is the connective form of 하다, linking the idea of continuing to the following action. In practice, 계속해서 functions as an adverb meaning "continuously," "continually," or "keep..."


다운되네: (It) becomes down / goes down

  • 다운되다 (to become down; to become depressed, low, or discouraged; from English “down”) + -네 (expresses realization, observation, or a spontaneous reaction

*다운되네 combines 다운 ("down," loanword from English down) with 되다 ("to become") and -네, which expresses realization or observation.


매일매일이: every single day (subject)

  • 매일 (every day, repeated twice for emphasis) + -이 (subject particle)


CTRL + C, CTRL + V: copy and paste (metaphor for repetition)



반복되네: (it) repeats / is being repeated

  • 반복되다 (to be repeated) + -네 (sentence ending, often showing realization, surprise, or emphasis: “oh, it does / I see that it …”)


갈 길은: the road to go / the path ahead (topic)

  • 가다 (to go) → 갈 (future attributive form "to go" / “that will go”) + 길 (road, way, path) + -은 (topic marker)

*V-(으)ㄹ is the future/prospective modifier. When placed before a noun, it often means: the N to V / the N that will V / the N for V. 갈 길 = the road/path to go.


먼데: it's far, but... / it's far...

  • 멀다 (to be far) + -ㄴ데 (but / though / and (background or contrast))

*A-ㄴ데 is attached to adjectives to: provide background information, introduce a contrast ("but," "though"), or set up what comes next. It can be translated as: ..., but..., though..., or and... Sometimes it has no direct English equivalent and simply introduces context.


왜: why


난: I (as topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic particle) → 난 (contracted form)


제자리니: am (I) in the same place?

  • 제자리 (one's original place; the same place; the starting point) + (이)니 (informal question ending, "is it...?" / "are you...?" / "am I...?")

*제자리니 combines 제자리 ("one's original place" or "the starting point") with the informal question ending -니. Although 이다 ("to be") isn't visible, it is understood as part of the construction (제자리(이)니). Even though 이 isn't pronounced, the copula 이다 is still part of the construction because 제자리 is a noun.The phrase means "Am I in the same place?"



답답해: (I feel) frustrated; stifled; suffocated

  • 답답하다 (to be frustrating; to feel stifled, suffocated, or constrained) → 답답해 (casual present tense)


소리쳐도: even if I shout / scream

  • 소리치다 (to shout) + -어도 (even if, although)

*V-아/어도 means "even if..." or "even though..." It expresses that the result in the following clause remains true despite the action.


허공의: of the empty air / void

  • 허공 (empty air; empty space; the void) + -의 (possessive particle, “of”)


메아리: echo


→ 허공의 메아리 = "the echo of the empty air" or "an echo in empty air."


내일은: tomorrow (topic)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)


오늘보다는: than today / compared to today

  • 오늘 (today) + 보다 (than, comparative particle) + -는 (emphasis/topic particle) → 보다는 (at least more than, compared to)


뭔가: something

  • 무언가 (something) → contracted to 뭔가

*뭔가 is the contracted form of 무언가 and most commonly means "something." Depending on the context, it can also express a vague feeling or impression, meaning "somehow," "for some reason," or "kind of."


다르길: (I hope) it is different

  • 다르다 (to be different) + -길 (contraction of -기를, a nominalizer expressing hope/wish: “that it …”)

*A/V-기를 is commonly used to express a hope, wish, or desire about an action or state. It often translates as "that..." after verbs like 바라다 (to hope), 빌다 (to wish or pray), 원하다 (to want), and 기원하다 (to hope or wish). In songs and casual speech, Korean often omits the verb because it's understood from context. So 다르길 by itself carries the sense of "I hope it's different" even if 바라다 or 빌다 isn't explicitly stated. This ellipsis is especially common in lyrics and poetic language.


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic marker) → contracted to 난


애원할 뿐야: (I) can only beg

  • 애원하다 (to plead, to beg, to implore earnestly) + -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 ("only...", "nothing but...", or "all (someone) can do is..." It emphasizes that there are no other options or possibilities.) → 뿐이야 (casual present tense) → 뿐야 (a colloquial / lyrical contraction. 뿐이야 is the grammatically standard form)


*Grammar note: 이다 means "to be" and functions as the Korean copula. Unlike verbs and adjectives, 이다 attaches directly to nouns to indicate that someone or something is a noun. In the present tense, the formal polite form is 입니다. It is used after both consonant-ending and vowel-ending nouns, so there is no separate form based on the final sound of the noun. In the informal polite style, 이다 becomes 이에요 after nouns ending in a consonant and 예요 after nouns ending in a vowel. For example, 학생이에요 means "It's a student," while 의사예요 means "It's a doctor." In the casual style, 이다 becomes 이야 after consonant-ending nouns and 야 after vowel-ending nouns. For example, 학생이야 means "It's a student," while 친구야 means "It's a friend."


니: your (colloquial pronunciation/spelling)

  • 너의 (your) [너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")] → 네 (standard contraction) → 니 (the common spoken pronunciation of 네)

*Because 네 is pronounced similarly to 내 ("my"), Korean speakers often say 니 in conversation to avoid confusion.


꿈을: dream (object)

  • 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)


따라가: follow / go after

  • 따라가다 (to follow; to go after) → 따라가 (casual present tense or casual imperative, depending on the context) (In this lyric, it is used as a casual imperative, meaning "Follow..." or "Go after...")


*The phrase "like breaker" in "니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker" is intentionally poetic and isn't standard English. The exact meaning of "like breaker" is unclear, but one common reading is that it encourages the listener to chase their dreams like a rule-breaker—boldly defying expectations and refusing to conform. Another is that breaker evokes the idea of breaking through obstacles, urging the listener to keep moving forward despite difficulties. This interpretation is supported by the following lyric, 부서진대도 ("Even if you break/shatter..."), which creates a possible wordplay between breaker and break. Whether intentional or not, the repetition reinforces the song's message of perseverance even when you're falling apart.



부서진대도: even if (you/I/it) break(s) / even if (you/I/it) shatter(s)

  • 부서지다 (to be broken; to break; to shatter) + ㄴ/는다고 해도 ("even if..." or "even though..." It expresses that the following statement remains true regardless of the condition.) → 부서진다고 해도 → 부서진대도 (contraction)


*Grammar note: -다고 해도 literally means "even if (someone) says that..." Over time, it grammaticalized into a pattern meaning "even if it is said that...", "even assuming that...", or "even if it turns out that..." Because of this origin, it often sounds a bit more hypothetical, emphatic, or concessive than -아/어도. -아/어도 simply means "even if" or "even though." It directly attaches to the verb and presents the condition as a straightforward fact. Compared with -아/어도, -다고 해도 often adds a stronger sense of "even if that were the case." In this lyric, 부서진대도 emphasizes that even if you break or fall apart, you should still keep moving forward.



니: your (colloquial pronunciation/spelling)

  • 너의 (your) [너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")] → 네 (standard contraction) → 니 (the common spoken pronunciation of 네)

*Because 네 is pronounced similarly to 내 ("my"), Korean speakers often say 니 in conversation to avoid confusion.


꿈을: dream (object)

  • 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)


따라가: follow / go after

  • 따라가다 (to follow; to go after) → 따라가 (casual present tense or casual imperative, depending on the context) (In this lyric, it is used as a casual imperative, meaning "Follow..." or "Go after...")


*The phrase "like breaker" in "니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker" is intentionally poetic and isn't standard English. The exact meaning of "like breaker" is unclear, but one common reading is that it encourages the listener to chase their dreams like a rule-breaker—boldly defying expectations and refusing to conform. Another is that breaker evokes the idea of breaking through obstacles, urging the listener to keep moving forward despite difficulties. This interpretation is supported by the following lyric, 부서진대도 ("Even if you break/shatter..."), which creates a possible wordplay between breaker and break. Whether intentional or not, the repetition reinforces the song's message of perseverance even when you're falling apart.



무너진대도: even if (you/I/it) collapse(s) / even if (you/I/it) crumble(s)

  • 무너지다 (to collapse; to fall down; to crumble) + -ㄴ/는다고 해도 ("even if...", "even assuming that...", or "even if it turns out that..." It introduces a hypothetical or conceded situation while emphasizing that the following statement still holds true.) → 무너진다고 해도 → 무너진대도 (contracted form of 무너진다고 해도)


*Although they're similar, the verbs have different imagery:

부서지다 = to break or shatter into pieces.

무너지다 = to collapse, crumble, or come crashing down, like a building, wall, or even a person's emotional state.



뒤로: backward; to the back

  • 뒤 (back; behind) + -로 (toward; to)


달아나지 마: don’t run away / don’t escape

  • 달아나다 (to run away, escape) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative “don’t”)

*V-지 마 is the casual negative command pattern meaning "Don't..." The 마 comes from 말다 ("to stop" or "to refrain from"), while -지 attaches to the verb stem. Common forms include -지 마 (casual), -지 마라 (plain command), and -지 마세요 (polite).


해가: the sun (subject)

  • 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)


뜨기 전: before (something) rises/comes up

  • 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) + -기 (nominalizer, "the act of..." / turns the verb into a noun) → 뜨기 ("rising" / "coming up") + 전 (before) → 뜨기 전 (before rising / before it comes up)

*V-기 전 is a very common grammar pattern meaning "before doing..."


새벽이: dawn (subject)

  • 새벽 (dawn, early morning) + -이 (subject particle)


가장: most / the most (superlative)

*In 가장 어두우니까, 가장 is modifying the adjective 어둡다 ("to be dark"). 가장 어둡다 = to be the darkest.


어두우니까: because it’s dark

  • 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (because / since (expresses a reason or cause))

*A-(으)니까 / V-(으)니까 is a common grammar pattern meaning "because..." or "since..." It introduces the reason for what follows.



먼: far-off / distant

  • 멀다 (to be far) → 먼 (adjective form)


훗날에: in the future / on a later day

  • 훗날 (later day, future day) + -에 (time/location particle “at / on / in”)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


지금의: of now

  • 지금 (now) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


널: you (object)

  • 너 (you) + -를 (object marker) → 널 (contracted form of 너를)

*지금의 널 literally means "the you of now" or "you as you are now."


절대로: absolutely; by no means; never (emphatic)

*절대로 means "absolutely," "never," or "by no means," depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative. It is an adverb that adds strong emphasis. You'll most often see 절대로 with a negative ending, where it means "never" or "absolutely not." 절대로 잊지 마. → Never forget. Less commonly, 절대로 can emphasize certainty or determination: 절대로 이길 거야. → I'll absolutely win. 절대로 널 지킬게. → I'll protect you no matter what. In these cases, it means something like "absolutely," "without fail," or "no matter what."


잊지 마: don’t forget

  • 잊다 (to forget) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative ending: “don’t”)


지금: now


니가: you (subject)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → colloquially 니가

*네가 is the standard written form of 너 + 가. In everyday pronunciation, 네가 is often pronounced 니가 to avoid sounding like 내가 ("I" + subject particle). So in writing, you'll often see: 네가 = you (subject). But in lyrics, dialogue, and casual writing, you'll frequently see: 니가 = you (subject).


어디 서 있든: no matter where (you) are standing / wherever (you) stand

  • 어디 (where) + 서다 (to stand) → 서 있다 (to be standing; describes the state of standing) + -든 (no matter / whether (expresses that it doesn't matter which option))

*Notice that the lyric uses 서 있다, not just 서다. 서다 = to stand up (the action). 서 있다 = to be standing (the state). So the emphasis is on your location while standing, not the act of standing up.


잠시: for a moment / briefly / for a short while


쉬어가는 것일 뿐: it's just a brief rest before continuing / it's only a stop to rest along the way

  • 쉬어가다 (to stop and rest before continuing on one's way) + -는 것 (the act of...) + 일 뿐 (is only..., is nothing more than...)


*쉬어가다 comes from 쉬다 (to rest) + -아/어 가다 (to go on while doing something / to do something along the way). Together, 쉬어가다 has become a common expression meaning "to stop and rest before moving on."


*N(이)ㄹ 뿐(이다) = to be only N / to be just N. 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 = "It is only the act of taking a break."



포기하지 마: don’t give up

  • 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)


알잖아: you know (already / after all)

  • 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning "you know," "as you know," "remember," "after all")

*-잖아 signals "I'm telling you something you already know or should recognize." It doesn't add new information; it appeals to shared understanding between the speaker and the listener.



너무: too / too much (excessively, overly)


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.



너무: too / too much (excessively, overly)


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.

 


우리가: we (as subject)

  • 우리 (we) + -가 (subject particle)


그토록: so much; to that extent (adverb)


기다린: (that we) waited for

  • 기다리다 (to wait) + -ㄴ (past adnominal ending that modifies a following noun)

*Here, 기다린 modifies 내일: 기다린 내일 = "the tomorrow (I/we) waited for"


내일도: tomorrow too / tomorrow as well / tomorrow also / even tomorrow

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -도 (also; too; as well; even, depending on context)


어느새: before one knows it / all of a sudden / in no time



눈을: eyes (object)

  • 눈 (eye) + -을 (object marker)


떠보면: when (I) open (and see what awaits)

  • 뜨다 (to open) + -아/어 보다 (to try doing something) + -면 (if; when)


*보다 originally means "to see." When it follows another verb, it literally means "do something and see." Over time, this developed into the grammar pattern V-아/어 보다, which often means "to try doing something." For example:


입어 보다

Literal: wear it and see

Natural: try it on


However, in many expressions it still keeps its original sense of doing something to see what happens or what you discover. In 눈을 떠보면, it doesn't mean "try opening your eyes." Instead, it means "when/once you open your eyes (and see)," emphasizing what you discover or realize after opening your eyes.

​


어제의: of yesterday

  • 어제 (yesterday) + -의 (possessive “of”)


이름이: name (subject)

  • 이름 (name) + -이 (subject particle)


돼: becomes

  • 되다 (to become) → 돼 (informal present tense, contracted form)



내일은: tomorrow (topic)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)


오늘이: today (subject)

  • 오늘 (today) + -이 (subject marker)


되고: becomes and...

  • 되다 (to become) + -고 (connective ending, “and / and then”)



오늘은: today (topic)

  • 오늘 (today) + -은 (topic marker)


어제가: yesterday (subject)

  • 어제 (yesterday) + -가 (subject marker)


되고: becomes and...

  • 되다 (to become) + -고 (connective ending, “and / and then”)



내일은: tomorrow (topic)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)


어제가: yesterday (subject)

  • 어제 (yesterday) + -가 (subject marker)


되어: becomes

  • 되다 (to become) → 되어 ((informal present tense)


내: my

  • 나 (I / me) + 의 (possessive particle) → contracted to 내


등: back


뒤에: behind

  • 뒤 (back/behind) + -에 (location particle: at; in; on; to)


서 있네: is standing

  • 서 있다 (to be standing) + -네 (expresses realization, observation, or mild surprise)

*The -네 adds the feeling that the speaker is noticing or reflecting on that fact, though this nuance is often subtle in English and may not need to be translated explicitly.


*Unlike English, Korean distinguishes between:

서다 = to stand up (the action)

서 있다 = to be standing (the resulting state)



삶은: life (topic)

  • 삶 (life) + -은 (topic marker)


살아지는 게: the act of simply living / living that just happens

  • 살아지다 (poetic verb meaning "to simply live," "to have life happen," or "to end up living") + -는 것 (literally means "the thing that..." or "the act of...". In natural English, it is often translated as "-ing".) + -이 (subject marker) [것이 is almost always shortened to 게 in everyday Korean.]


*살아지다 is a rare, poetic verb formed from 살다 ("to live") and -아/어지다. While -아/어지다 often means "to become," it can also give a verb a more passive or involuntary nuance, suggesting that something happens on its own rather than through deliberate action. As a result, 살아지다 doesn't simply mean "to live." Instead, it conveys the idea of life simply happening, finding yourself living, or just continuing to exist without emphasizing personal effort or intention.


This isn't a verb you'll hear often in everyday conversation. In this lyric, it is used deliberately to contrast with 살아내다 ("to endure," "to survive," or "to make it through life"). While 살아지다 evokes the idea of passively existing or letting life carry you along, 살아내다 emphasizes actively persevering through life's hardships. This contrast reinforces the song's message that life isn't about merely existing—it is about continuing on despite the challenges.


아니라: not … but rather

  • 아니다 (to not be) + -라 (connective ending creating the meaning of “not A but B” / “not … but rather…”)


살아내는 것: enduring / the act of enduring through life

  • 살아내다 (to endure, survive, make it through life) + -는 것 (literally means "the thing that..." or "the act of...". In natural English, it is often translated as "-ing".) → Here, 살아내는 것 = “the act of enduring life”


*A(이) 아니라 B is a pattern that means "not A, but B" or "rather than A, B." It is used to reject or correct the first idea and replace it with the second.


Nuance: “Life is not something that just gets lived (passive) but rather something you must live out with effort (active).”



그렇게: like that / in that way

  • 그렇다 (to be so, to be like that) + -게 (adverbial ending → “in that way”)


살아내다가: while making it through life / while persevering / in the course of enduring life...

  • 살아내다 (to make it through life; to persevere; to survive despite hardship) + -다가 (connective ending meaning “while doing,” “as doing,” or “and then”)


*-다가 connects two actions or situations. Its most common meanings are:


While doing...

In the middle of doing...

Then... (one action changes to another)


Here, -다가 indicates that the following event or realization happens during the ongoing process of 살아내다 (persevering or making it through life).



언젠간: someday, eventually (with a little more emphasis)

  • 언젠가 (someday, at some point) + -는 (topic particle, contracted with 가 → 언젠간, emphasizing “someday”)


사라지는 것: disappearing / the act of disappearing.

  • 사라지다 (to disappear, vanish) + -는 것 (literally means "the thing that..." or "the act of...". In natural English, it is often translated as "-ing".)



멍 때리다간: if (you) keep spacing out; if (you) zone out (conditional with warning)

  • 멍 때리다 (to space out; to zone out) + -다가는 (if you keep doing..., then [usually a negative result]) → -다간 (contracted)


*-다가는 is a grammar pattern used to warn that if the first action or situation continues, an undesirable result will follow. It often translates as: if you keep... / if you go on... / if you continue to... Unlike the plain conditional -면, -다가는 almost always implies a warning or negative consequence.


너: you (informal pronoun)


쓸려가: be swept away; get carried away (passive + movement)

  • 쓸리다 (to be swept away; passive form of 쓸다 "to sweep") + -아/어 가다 (to go and V, to continue V going forward, or to move away while V-ing) → 쓸려가 (the present informal (반말) form of 쓸려가다)


*-아/어 가다 often indicates movement away from the current point or that something continues in a particular direction over time. So 쓸려가다 is stronger than just 쓸리다. It emphasizes that something is swept away and carried off.


If you ain’t no got the guts, trust


어차피: anyway / after all (adverb meaning “in any case,” “after all,” “since it’s bound to be so”)


다: all / everything


어제가: yesterday (subject)

  • 어제 (yesterday) + -가 (subject marker)


되고 말 텐데: will end up becoming / will inevitably become

  • 되다 (to become) + -고 말다 (to end up (doing) / to eventually (do) despite intention) → 되고 말다 (end up becoming) + -ㄹ 텐데 (will probably..., would..., given that... (expresses expectation or assumption, often leading to an implied consequence))


→ “After all, everything will just end up becoming yesterday.”

→ Nuance: “In the end, everything is bound to turn into the past.”



하루하루가: each day / day by day (subject)

  • 하루 (one day) × 2 → 하루하루 (day after day, each and every day) + -가 (subject marker)


뭔: what / what kind of (shortened form of 무슨)


의미겠어: would it mean? / meaning would it be?

  • 의미 (meaning / significance / point) + -겠- (expresses the speaker's guess, assumption, or judgment ("would," "must," "could")) + -어 (informal ending)


*-겠- shows what the speaker thinks, believes, or expects to be true, rather than stating something as a definite fact. It often conveys ideas like "would," "must," "probably," or "I suppose," depending on the context. In rhetorical questions like 뭔 의미겠어?, it adds the sense of "would" or "could," making the speaker reflect on what meaning or value something would have rather than asking a genuine question. Compare these:


뭔 의미야?

→ "What does it mean?"

뭔 의미겠어?

→ "What meaning would it have?" / "What would be the point?"


The -겠- makes it sound more rhetorical. The speaker isn't genuinely asking someone to explain the meaning—they're implying that there isn't much meaning at all.



행복해지고: to become happy and...

  • 행복하다 (to be happy) + -아/어지다 (to become, turn into) → 행복해지다 (to become happy) + -고 (connective ending “and”)


독해지고 싶었는데: I wanted to become strong/tough, but …

  • 독하다 (to be strong, fierce, tough, relentless) + -아/어지다 (to become) → 독해지다 (to become tough, resilient) + -고 싶다 (to want to …) → attached to the verb stem: 독해지고 싶다 = “to want to become strong” + -었- (past tense marker) → 싶었- = “wanted to” + -는데 (contrastive connective ending = “but / although …”)


왜: why


자꾸: repeatedly / again and again / over and over / keep (doing something)


약해지기만 하지: (I) only become weak

  • 약하다 (to be weak) + -아/어지다 (to become) → 약해지다 (to become weak) + -기만 하다 (to only do V (and nothing else)) + -지 (sentence-ending particle, adds a soft or rhetorical tone)


계속: continuously / constantly


*Although 자꾸 and 계속 can both be translated as "keep" in English, they have different nuances. 자꾸 emphasizes that something happens repeatedly or again and again, often with the sense that it keeps happening despite one's wishes. 계속, on the other hand, emphasizes continuing without stopping.



나: I / me (informal pronoun)


어디로: to where

  • 어디 (where) + -로 (directional particle “toward / to”)


가: go

  • 가다 (to go) → 가 (present informal (반말) form of 가다)




여기로: to here

  • 여기 (here) + -로 (directional particle “toward / to”)


가고: go and...

  • 가다 (to go) + -고 (connective ending, “and”)


저기로: to there (over there)

  • 저기 (there, far from both speaker and listener) + -로 (toward / to)


가도: even if (I) go

  • 가다 (to go) + -아/어도 (even if, even though)



난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic marker) → contracted to 난


항상: always


여기로: to here

  • 여기 (here) + -로 (directional particle “toward / to”)


와: come

  • 오다 (to come) → 와 (informal present tense)



그리: like that, in that way, so (adverb)

  • 그리 is a more literary or poetic equivalent of 그렇게, which is much more common in everyday speech.


흘러가긴 하겠지: I guess it'll keep moving along / I suppose it'll keep flowing, at least

  • 흘러가다 (to flow; to pass by; to move along) + -기는 하다 (used to acknowledge or concede that something is true. It often carries an implied contrast, similar to "it's true that...", "I admit...", or "at least..." in English) + -겠- (guess, assumption, probability) + -지 (seeking agreement or expressing a shared assumption)

*In speech, -기는 is frequently shortened to -긴.


어디론가: to somewhere / someplace

  • 어디 (where) + -로 (toward, to) + -ㄴ가 (indefinite marker “some”) → “somewhere, to some place”

*-ㄴ가 makes the destination indefinite or unknown, expressing that the speaker doesn't know or doesn't specify exactly where.



끝이: end (subject)

  • 끝 (end, finish) + -이 (subject marker)


있긴 할까: will it really exist? / I wonder if it even exists / does it really exist?

  • 있다 (to exist, to be, to have) + -기는 하다 (used to acknowledge or concede that something is true. It often carries an implied contrast, similar to "it's true that...", "I admit...", or "at least..." in English) + -ㄹ까 (expresses wonder, uncertainty, or a question to oneself)

*In speech, -기는 is frequently shortened to -긴.


*In this lyric, -기는 하다 highlights the idea that the maze has an end before immediately questioning it with -ㄹ까. This makes the speaker sound more skeptical than simply asking 끝이 있을까? ("I wonder if there is an end."). It's almost like saying: "Sure, an end might exist... but does it really?" or "As for there being an end... I wonder." Together, the expression conveys the feeling of "I wonder if there even is an end." or "Does it really have an end?"


이: this


미로가: maze (subject)

  • 미로 (maze) + -가 (subject marker)



갈 길은: the road to go / the path ahead (topic)

  • 가다 (to go) → 갈 (future attributive form "to go" / “that will go”) + 길 (road, way, path) + -은 (topic marker)

*V-(으)ㄹ is the future/prospective modifier. When placed before a noun, it often means: the N to V / the N that will V / the N for V. 갈 길 = the road/path to go.


먼데: it's far, but... / it's far...

  • 멀다 (to be far) + -ㄴ데 (but / though / and (background or contrast))

*A-ㄴ데 is attached to adjectives to: provide background information, introduce a contrast ("but," "though"), or set up what comes next. It can be translated as: ..., but..., though..., or and... Sometimes it has no direct English equivalent and simply introduces context.

 


왜: why


난: I (as topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic particle) → 난 (contracted form)


제자리니: am (I) in the same place?

  • 제자리 (one's original place; the same place; the starting point) + (이)니 (informal question ending, "is it...?" / "are you...?" / "am I...?")

*제자리니 combines 제자리 ("one's original place" or "the starting point") with the informal question ending -니. Although 이다 ("to be") isn't visible, it is understood as part of the construction (제자리(이)니). Even though 이 isn't pronounced, the copula 이다 is still part of the construction because 제자리 is a noun.The phrase means "Am I in the same place?"



답답해: (I feel) frustrated; stifled; suffocated

  • 답답하다 (to be frustrating; to feel stifled, suffocated, or constrained) → 답답해 (casual present tense)


소리쳐도: even if I shout / scream

  • 소리치다 (to shout) + -어도 (even if, although)

*V-아/어도 means "even if..." or "even though..." It expresses that the result in the following clause remains true despite the action.

 


허공의: of the empty air / void

  • 허공 (empty air; empty space; the void) + -의 (possessive particle, “of”)


메아리: echo


→ 허공의 메아리 = "the echo of the empty air" or "an echo in empty air."

 


내일은: tomorrow (topic)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)


오늘보다는: than today / compared to today

  • 오늘 (today) + 보다 (than, comparative particle) + -는 (emphasis/topic particle) → 보다는 (at least more than, compared to)


뭔가: something

  • 무언가 (something) → contracted to 뭔가

*뭔가 is the contracted form of 무언가 and most commonly means "something." Depending on the context, it can also express a vague feeling or impression, meaning "somehow," "for some reason," or "kind of."


다르길: (I hope) it is different

  • 다르다 (to be different) + -길 (contraction of -기를, a nominalizer expressing hope/wish: “that it …”)

*A/V-기를 is commonly used to express a hope, wish, or desire about an action or state. It often translates as "that..." after verbs like 바라다 (to hope), 빌다 (to wish or pray), 원하다 (to want), and 기원하다 (to hope or wish). In songs and casual speech, Korean often omits the verb because it's understood from context. So 다르길 by itself carries the sense of "I hope it's different" even if 바라다 or 빌다 isn't explicitly stated. This ellipsis is especially common in lyrics and poetic language.


 


난: I (topic)

  • 나 (I) + -는 (topic marker) → contracted to 난


애원할 뿐야: (I) can only beg

  • 애원하다 (to plead, to beg, to implore earnestly) + -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 ("only...", "nothing but...", or "all (someone) can do is..." It emphasizes that there are no other options or possibilities.) → 뿐이야 (casual present tense) → 뿐야 (a colloquial / lyrical contraction. 뿐이야 is the grammatically standard form)

 


니: your (colloquial pronunciation/spelling)

  • 너의 (your) [너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")] → 네 (standard contraction) → 니 (the common spoken pronunciation of 네)

*Because 네 is pronounced similarly to 내 ("my"), Korean speakers often say 니 in conversation to avoid confusion.


꿈을: dream (object)

  • 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)


따라가: follow / go after

  • 따라가다 (to follow; to go after) → 따라가 (casual present tense or casual imperative, depending on the context) (In this lyric, it is used as a casual imperative, meaning "Follow..." or "Go after...")


*The phrase "like breaker" in "니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker" is intentionally poetic and isn't standard English. The exact meaning of "like breaker" is unclear, but one common reading is that it encourages the listener to chase their dreams like a rule-breaker—boldly defying expectations and refusing to conform. Another is that breaker evokes the idea of breaking through obstacles, urging the listener to keep moving forward despite difficulties. This interpretation is supported by the following lyric, 부서진대도 ("Even if you break/shatter..."), which creates a possible wordplay between breaker and break. Whether intentional or not, the repetition reinforces the song's message of perseverance even when you're falling apart.



부서진대도: even if (you/I/it) break(s) / even if (you/I/it) shatter(s)

  • 부서지다 (to be broken; to break; to shatter) + ㄴ/는다고 해도 ("even if..." or "even though..." It expresses that the following statement remains true regardless of the condition.) → 부서진다고 해도 → 부서진대도 (contraction)


*Grammar note: -다고 해도 literally means "even if (someone) says that..." Over time, it grammaticalized into a pattern meaning "even if it is said that...", "even assuming that...", or "even if it turns out that..." Because of this origin, it often sounds a bit more hypothetical, emphatic, or concessive than -아/어도. -아/어도 simply means "even if" or "even though." It directly attaches to the verb and presents the condition as a straightforward fact. Compared with -아/어도, -다고 해도 often adds a stronger sense of "even if that were the case." In this lyric, 부서진대도 emphasizes that even if you break or fall apart, you should still keep moving forward.

 


니: your (colloquial pronunciation/spelling)

  • 너의 (your) [너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")] → 네 (standard contraction) → 니 (the common spoken pronunciation of 네)

*Because 네 is pronounced similarly to 내 ("my"), Korean speakers often say 니 in conversation to avoid confusion.


꿈을: dream (object)

  • 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)


따라가: follow / go after

  • 따라가다 (to follow; to go after) → 따라가 (casual present tense or casual imperative, depending on the context) (In this lyric, it is used as a casual imperative, meaning "Follow..." or "Go after...")


*The phrase "like breaker" in "니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker" is intentionally poetic and isn't standard English. The exact meaning of "like breaker" is unclear, but one common reading is that it encourages the listener to chase their dreams like a rule-breaker—boldly defying expectations and refusing to conform. Another is that breaker evokes the idea of breaking through obstacles, urging the listener to keep moving forward despite difficulties. This interpretation is supported by the following lyric, 부서진대도 ("Even if you break/shatter..."), which creates a possible wordplay between breaker and break. Whether intentional or not, the repetition reinforces the song's message of perseverance even when you're falling apart.



무너진대도: even if (you/I/it) collapse(s) / even if (you/I/it) crumble(s)

  • 무너지다 (to collapse; to fall down; to crumble) + -ㄴ/는다고 해도 ("even if...", "even assuming that...", or "even if it turns out that..." It introduces a hypothetical or conceded situation while emphasizing that the following statement still holds true.) → 무너진다고 해도 → 무너진대도 (contracted form of 무너진다고 해도)


*Although they're similar, the verbs have different imagery:

부서지다 = to break or shatter into pieces.

무너지다 = to collapse, crumble, or come crashing down, like a building, wall, or even a person's emotional state.



뒤로: backward; to the back

  • 뒤 (back; behind) + -로 (toward; to)


달아나지 마: don’t run away / don’t escape

  • 달아나다 (to run away, escape) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative “don’t”)

*V-지 마 is the casual negative command pattern meaning "Don't..." The 마 comes from 말다 ("to stop" or "to refrain from"), while -지 attaches to the verb stem. Common forms include -지 마 (casual), -지 마라 (plain command), and -지 마세요 (polite).

 


해가: the sun (subject)

  • 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)


뜨기 전: before (something) rises/comes up

  • 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) + -기 (nominalizer, "the act of..." / turns the verb into a noun) → 뜨기 ("rising" / "coming up") + 전 (before) → 뜨기 전 (before rising / before it comes up)

*V-기 전 is a very common grammar pattern meaning "before doing..."


새벽이: dawn (subject)

  • 새벽 (dawn, early morning) + -이 (subject particle)


가장: most / the most (superlative)

*In 가장 어두우니까, 가장 is modifying the adjective 어둡다 ("to be dark"). 가장 어둡다 = to be the darkest.


어두우니까: because it’s dark

  • 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (because / since (expresses a reason or cause))

*A-(으)니까 / V-(으)니까 is a common grammar pattern meaning "because..." or "since..." It introduces the reason for what follows.



먼: far-off / distant

  • 멀다 (to be far) → 먼 (adjective form)


훗날에: in the future / on a later day

  • 훗날 (later day, future day) + -에 (time/location particle “at / on / in”)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


지금의: of now

  • 지금 (now) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


널: you (object)

  • 너 (you) + -를 (object marker) → 널 (contracted form of 너를)

*지금의 널 literally means "the you of now" or "you as you are now."


절대로: absolutely; by no means; never (emphatic)

*절대로 means "absolutely," "never," or "by no means," depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative. It is an adverb that adds strong emphasis. You'll most often see 절대로 with a negative ending, where it means "never" or "absolutely not." 절대로 잊지 마. → Never forget. Less commonly, 절대로 can emphasize certainty or determination: 절대로 이길 거야. → I'll absolutely win. 절대로 널 지킬게. → I'll protect you no matter what. In these cases, it means something like "absolutely," "without fail," or "no matter what."


잊지 마: don’t forget

  • 잊다 (to forget) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative ending: “don’t”)

 


지금: now


니가: you (subject)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → colloquially 니가

*네가 is the standard written form of 너 + 가. In everyday pronunciation, 네가 is often pronounced 니가 to avoid sounding like 내가 ("I" + subject particle). So in writing, you'll often see: 네가 = you (subject). But in lyrics, dialogue, and casual writing, you'll frequently see: 니가 = you (subject).


어디 서 있든: no matter where (you) are standing / wherever (you) stand

  • 어디 (where) + 서다 (to stand) → 서 있다 (to be standing; describes the state of standing) + -든 (no matter / whether (expresses that it doesn't matter which option))

*Notice that the lyric uses 서 있다, not just 서다. 서다 = to stand up (the action). 서 있다 = to be standing (the state). So the emphasis is on your location while standing, not the act of standing up.

 


잠시: for a moment / briefly / for a short while


쉬어가는 것일 뿐: it's just a brief rest before continuing / it's only a stop to rest along the way

  • 쉬어가다 (to stop and rest before continuing on one's way) + -는 것 (the act of...) + 일 뿐 (is only..., is nothing more than...)


*쉬어가다 comes from 쉬다 (to rest) + -아/어 가다 (to go on while doing something / to do something along the way). Together, 쉬어가다 has become a common expression meaning "to stop and rest before moving on."


*N(이)ㄹ 뿐(이다) = to be only N / to be just N. 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 = "It is only the act of taking a break."

 


포기하지 마: don’t give up

  • 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)


알잖아: you know (already / after all)

  • 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning "you know," "as you know," "remember," "after all")

*-잖아 signals "I'm telling you something you already know or should recognize." It doesn't add new information; it appeals to shared understanding between the speaker and the listener.



너무: too / too much (excessively, overly)


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.

 


계속: continuously / keep on / without stopping


걸어: walk

  • 걷다 (to walk) → 걸어 (informal present tense, imperative nuance)



멈추기엔: to stop / for stopping

  • 멈추다 (to stop, to halt) + -기엔 (for doing... / to do... / when it comes to doing...)

*-기엔 adds the idea of "considering doing something" or "when it comes to doing something." It often introduces a judgment that the action is not appropriate, not enough, too early, too late, or otherwise unsuitable because of the circumstances that follow.


우린: we (topic)

  • 우리 (we) + -는 (topic marker) → contracted to 우린


아직: still / yet


너무: too / too much


어려: (are) young

  • 어리다 (to be young) → 어려 (present informal form)



문을: door (object)

  • 문 (door) + -을 (object marker)


열어: open

  • 열다 (to open) → 열어 (informal present/imperative form, “open”)



닫기엔: for closing / to close

  • 닫다 (to close, shut) + + -기엔 (for doing... / to do... / when it comes to doing...)

*-기엔 adds the idea of "considering doing something" or "when it comes to doing something." It often introduces a judgment that the action is not appropriate, not enough, too early, too late, or otherwise unsuitable because of the circumstances that follow.


많은: many

  • 많다 (to be many, plentiful) + -은 (adjective modifier, describing what comes next)


것들이: things (subject)

  • 것 (thing, matter, abstraction) + -들 (plural marker) → 것들 (things) + -이 (subject marker)


눈에: in (my) eyes

  • 눈 (eye) + -에 (in / at / on → location particle)


보여: are seen / visible

  • 보이다 (to be seen, to appear, to be visible) → 보여 (informal present tense)

*눈에 보여 = is visible to the eye / appears in one's sight



어두운: dark (adjective)

  • 어둡다 (to be dark) + -은 (adnominal (modifier) ending used with descriptive verbs) → 어두운 (dark, describing “night”)

*The ending -은 changes a descriptive verb into a form that modifies a following noun, similar to how English adjectives come before nouns. 어둡다 is a ㅂ-irregular adjective. When a vowel-initial ending like -은 is added ㅂ changes to 우 (어두우-). 우 + 은 → 운


밤이: night (subject)

  • 밤 (night) + -이 (subject marker)


지나면: if/when (something) passes

  • 지나다 (to pass, go by) + -면 (conditional ending, “if/when”)



밝은: bright (adjective)

  • 밝다 (to be bright, light) + -은 (adjective modifier form) → 밝은 (bright, describing “morning”)


아침도: morning too / also a morning

  • 아침 (morning) + -도 (also, too)


있듯이: just as there is / just like there is

  • 있다 (to exist, to be) + -듯이 (as if, just like)



알아서: by itself / on its own

  • 알다 (to know → but in grammar, 알- + -아서 can mean “naturally / automatically / by itself”) → Nuance: without anyone forcing it, it just happens naturally


내일이: tomorrow (subject)

  • 내일 (tomorrow) + -이 (subject marker)


오면: if/when (something) comes

  • 오다 (to come) + -면 (conditional ending “if / when”)



빛이: light (subject)

  • 빛 (light) + -이 (subject marker)


비추니: shines / because it shines

  • 비추다 (to shine, to illuminate) + -니 (ending used for explanation, reason, or softer statement → “because / as / since”)



걱정은 하지 말아줘: please don’t worry

  • 걱정 (worry, concern) + -은 (topic marker, highlighting “as for worrying…”) + 하다 (to do) + -지 말다 (negative imperative pattern, "don't") + -아/어 주다 (to do something for someone, used in requests: “please / do it for me,” makes the request softer and more personal) (줘 = contracted form of 주어)

*V-지 말아 주다 → "please don't V (for me)"



이건: this (topic)

  • 이 (this) + 것 (thing) → 이것 (this thing) + -은/는 (topic marker, contracted) → 이건 (“as for this / this is”)


정지가: a stop (subject)

  • 정지 (a stop, halt, standstill) + -가 (subject marker)


아닌: not (modifier form)

  • 아니다 (to not be) → 아닌 (attributive form, modifying what comes next: “not …”)

*아닌 is the adnominal (modifier) form of 아니다 ("to not be"), meaning "that is not" or "which is not." In this lyric, it creates a contrast between 정지 ("a complete stop") and 일시 정지 ("a temporary pause"). Although the line is split across two lines, many listeners naturally understand it as 정지가 아닌 일시 정지—"not a stop, but a temporary pause." Grammatically, 아닌 can also be understood as modifying an omitted 것 ("thing"), a very common omission in Korean, but both interpretations convey the same message: this isn't the end—it's only a temporary pause.



니: your

  • 네 (your, informal pronoun) → often pronounced/written 니


삶을: life (object)

  • 삶 (life) + -을 (object marker)


쉬어가는: during which (your life) rests before continuing / where (your life) rests before moving on

  • 쉬다 (to rest, to take a break) + -어 가다 (to continue while doing, or to do something along the way) → 쉬어가다 (to stop and rest before continuing) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing “정지”)

*쉬어가는 is the adnominal (modifier) form of 쉬어가다 ("to stop and rest before continuing"). It modifies the noun 잠시 동안 ("a brief period"), describing it as a period during which one rests before moving on. Like many Korean modifiers, it doesn't always correspond to a single English adjective. Instead, it's often most naturally translated as a relative clause such as "during which one rests before continuing," "where one rests before continuing."


잠시: for a moment / briefly (a short while, moment, brief time)


동안의: of the period / of the time / during the period of...

  • 동안 (period, duration of time) + -의 (possessive particle “of”)


*-의 links two nouns together, often with a meaning similar to "of." In this lyric, it connects 잠시 동안 ("a brief period") and 일시 정지 ("temporary pause"), indicating that the pause is associated with or takes place during that brief period. While a literal translation is "the temporary pause of a brief period," English usually expresses this relationship more naturally as "a temporary pause for a brief period" or "a temporary pause during a brief period." Here, -의 simply shows the relationship between the two nouns rather than needing to be translated as "of" directly.


일시 정지: temporary pause

  • 일시 (temporary, momentary) + 정지 (stop, pause) → “a temporary stop / pause”



엄지를: thumb (object)

  • 엄지 (thumb) + -를 (object marker)


올리며: raising / as (you) raise

  • 올리다 (to raise, lift up) + -며 (connective ending, meaning “while / as / and”)


*엄지를 올리며 ("raising your thumb") is open to interpretation. While it literally means raising your thumb, it's easy to associate the gesture with giving yourself a thumbs-up. In that reading, the lyric encourages you to believe in yourself and give yourself the encouragement to move forward. This flows naturally into the following line, 재생해 ("play again" or "resume"), which suggests "pressing play" on your own life after a temporary pause. Because we often use our thumbs to control media on our phones, the two lines together evoke the image of pressing a play button with your thumb. Overall, the message seems to be to encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and choose to start again.



니: your

  • 네 (your, you) → colloquially pronounced/written 니


자신을: self (object)

  • 자신 (oneself, self) + -을 (object marker)


재생해: restart / play again / regenerate

  • 재생하다 (to replay, to regenerate, to bring back to life, to start again) → 재생해 (imperative informal form: “do / go ahead and”)


→ “Restart yourself.” / “Replay yourself.” / “Regenerate yourself.”

→ Nuance: an imperative to refresh or reset yourself, like pressing the “play again” button.



모두: everyone / all


보란 듯이: as if to say, "Look!" / as if to show (someone) / in a way that makes everyone see

  • 보다 (to see) + -라 (imperative ending) → 보라 ("Look!") + -ㄴ (links the imperative 보라 to 듯이) + 듯이 (as if, as though)

*보란 듯이 is a fixed expression derived from the imperative 보라 ("Look!"), rather than the regular -는 듯이 ("as if") grammar pattern. Literally, it means "as if saying, 'Look!'" or "as though telling someone to look." Because it is an idiomatic expression, 보란 is not a form that learners would normally create by applying standard conjugation rules. In context, the phrase describes something done in a way that is meant to be noticed, as if drawing everyone's attention to it or making it impossible to ignore.



니: your (colloquial pronunciation/spelling)

  • 너의 (your) [너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")] → 네 (standard contraction) → 니 (the common spoken pronunciation of 네)

*Because 네 is pronounced similarly to 내 ("my"), Korean speakers often say 니 in conversation to avoid confusion.


꿈을: dream (object)

  • 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)


따라가: follow / go after

  • 따라가다 (to follow; to go after) → 따라가 (casual present tense or casual imperative, depending on the context) (In this lyric, it is used as a casual imperative, meaning "Follow..." or "Go after...")


*The phrase "like breaker" in "니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker" is intentionally poetic and isn't standard English. The exact meaning of "like breaker" is unclear, but one common reading is that it encourages the listener to chase their dreams like a rule-breaker—boldly defying expectations and refusing to conform. Another is that breaker evokes the idea of breaking through obstacles, urging the listener to keep moving forward despite difficulties. This interpretation is supported by the following lyric, 부서진대도 ("Even if you break/shatter..."), which creates a possible wordplay between breaker and break. Whether intentional or not, the repetition reinforces the song's message of perseverance even when you're falling apart.



무너진대도: even if (you/I/it) collapse(s) / even if (you/I/it) crumble(s)

  • 무너지다 (to collapse; to fall down; to crumble) + -ㄴ/는다고 해도 ("even if...", "even assuming that...", or "even if it turns out that..." It introduces a hypothetical or conceded situation while emphasizing that the following statement still holds true.) → 무너진다고 해도 → 무너진대도 (contracted form of 무너진다고 해도)


*Although they're similar, the verbs have different imagery:

부서지다 = to break or shatter into pieces.

무너지다 = to collapse, crumble, or come crashing down, like a building, wall, or even a person's emotional state.



뒤로: backward; to the back

  • 뒤 (back; behind) + -로 (toward; to)


달아나지 마: don’t run away / don’t escape

  • 달아나다 (to run away, escape) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative “don’t”)

*V-지 마 is the casual negative command pattern meaning "Don't..." The 마 comes from 말다 ("to stop" or "to refrain from"), while -지 attaches to the verb stem. Common forms include -지 마 (casual), -지 마라 (plain command), and -지 마세요 (polite).

 


해가: the sun (subject)

  • 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)


뜨기 전: before (something) rises/comes up

  • 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) + -기 (nominalizer, "the act of..." / turns the verb into a noun) → 뜨기 ("rising" / "coming up") + 전 (before) → 뜨기 전 (before rising / before it comes up)

*V-기 전 is a very common grammar pattern meaning "before doing..."


새벽이: dawn (subject)

  • 새벽 (dawn, early morning) + -이 (subject particle)


가장: most / the most (superlative)

*In 가장 어두우니까, 가장 is modifying the adjective 어둡다 ("to be dark"). 가장 어둡다 = to be the darkest.


어두우니까: because it’s dark

  • 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (because / since (expresses a reason or cause))

*A-(으)니까 / V-(으)니까 is a common grammar pattern meaning "because..." or "since..." It introduces the reason for what follows.



먼: far-off / distant

  • 멀다 (to be far) → 먼 (adjective form)


훗날에: in the future / on a later day

  • 훗날 (later day, future day) + -에 (time/location particle “at / on / in”)


넌: you (topic)

  • 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker) → 넌 (contracted form of 너는)


지금의: of now

  • 지금 (now) + -의 (possessive particle, "of")


널: you (object)

  • 너 (you) + -를 (object marker) → 널 (contracted form of 너를)

*지금의 널 literally means "the you of now" or "you as you are now."


절대로: absolutely; by no means; never (emphatic)

*절대로 means "absolutely," "never," or "by no means," depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative. It is an adverb that adds strong emphasis. You'll most often see 절대로 with a negative ending, where it means "never" or "absolutely not." 절대로 잊지 마. → Never forget. Less commonly, 절대로 can emphasize certainty or determination: 절대로 이길 거야. → I'll absolutely win. 절대로 널 지킬게. → I'll protect you no matter what. In these cases, it means something like "absolutely," "without fail," or "no matter what."


잊지 마: don’t forget

  • 잊다 (to forget) + -지 마 (casual negative imperative ending: “don’t”)

 


지금: now


니가: you (subject)

  • 너 (you) + -가 (subject marker) → colloquially 니가

*네가 is the standard written form of 너 + 가. In everyday pronunciation, 네가 is often pronounced 니가 to avoid sounding like 내가 ("I" + subject particle). So in writing, you'll often see: 네가 = you (subject). But in lyrics, dialogue, and casual writing, you'll frequently see: 니가 = you (subject).


어디 서 있든: no matter where (you) are standing / wherever (you) stand

  • 어디 (where) + 서다 (to stand) → 서 있다 (to be standing; describes the state of standing) + -든 (no matter / whether (expresses that it doesn't matter which option))

*Notice that the lyric uses 서 있다, not just 서다. 서다 = to stand up (the action). 서 있다 = to be standing (the state). So the emphasis is on your location while standing, not the act of standing up.

 


잠시: for a moment / briefly / for a short while


쉬어가는 것일 뿐: it's just a brief rest before continuing / it's only a stop to rest along the way

  • 쉬어가다 (to stop and rest before continuing on one's way) + -는 것 (the act of...) + 일 뿐 (is only..., is nothing more than...)


*쉬어가다 comes from 쉬다 (to rest) + -아/어 가다 (to go on while doing something / to do something along the way). Together, 쉬어가다 has become a common expression meaning "to stop and rest before moving on."


*N(이)ㄹ 뿐(이다) = to be only N / to be just N. 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 = "It is only the act of taking a break."

 


포기하지 마: don’t give up

  • 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)


알잖아: you know (already / after all)

  • 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning "you know," "as you know," "remember," "after all")

*-잖아 signals "I'm telling you something you already know or should recognize." It doesn't add new information; it appeals to shared understanding between the speaker and the listener.



너무: too / too much (excessively, overly)


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.

 


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.



너무: too / too much (excessively, overly)


멀어지진 마: don’t become far / don't grow distant / don't drift away

  • 멀어지다 (to become distant; to grow apart) + -지는 마 (don't (at least)...)


*멀어지다 comes from 멀다 (to be far) + -어지다 (to become) → 멀어지다 = "to become far" → "to grow distant"


*The -는 in -지는 마 adds emphasis or contrast. It often implies: "Whatever else happens..." / "At least don't..." In this lyric 멀어지지는 마 is contracted to → 멀어지진 마. Compare these: 멀어지지 마. → "Don't grow distant." 멀어지지는 마. / 멀어지진 마. → "Just don't grow distant." / "At least don't drift away." The version with -는 adds emotional emphasis. It often suggests that even if other things change, this one thing shouldn't happen. The -는 highlights 멀어지다 as the one thing they especially don't want to happen, making the request sound more heartfelt or emphatic.

 


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Performers in black outfits dance on stage with text overlay: "Tomorrow" by BTS. Play button and striped shirts visible. Energetic mood.
BTS (방탄소년단) - 'Tomorrow' Lyric Video

 
 
 

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