BTS 'Tomorrow' Lyrics Explained – Learn Korean with BTS

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.

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

[Suga] : 같은 날, 같은 달 Same day, same month

같은: same

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

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

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

24/7 매번 반복되는 매 순간 24/7 every moment repeats itself

매번: every time

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

반복되는: being repeated

• 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 내 삶 My uncertain life

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

• 어중간하다 (to be halfway/incomplete/mediocre) + -한 (adjective modifier)

내 삶: my life

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

20 대의 백수는 내일이 두려워 참 A unemployed man in his 20s who's afraid of tomorrow

20대의: (of the) twenties

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

백수는: 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: (I) fear, (it is) fearful

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

참: really / indeed / so much

웃기지 어릴 땐 뭐든 가능할거라 믿었었는데 Funny, I used to believe anything was possible when I was a kid

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) + -ㄹ (attributive modifier) → 어릴 (young [time/age]) + 때 (time, when) + -는 (topic marker contracted to -ㄴ/은/는 → -ㄴ = 땐)

뭐든: anything, whatever

• 뭐 (what) + -든 (any, whichever)

가능할거라: (that it would be) possible

• 가능하다 (to be possible) → 가능할 (possible, future attributive form) + 것 (thing) + -이라고 (reported speech) contracted → -거라 (that it would)

믿었었는데: (I) used to believe (but…)

• 믿다 (to believe) + -었- (past) + -었- (past perfect, emphasizes used to) + -는데 (but / however / reminiscence contrast)

하루를 벌어 하루를 사는게 빠듯하단 걸 느꼈을 때 When I realized that it's hard to earn enough to live on

하루를: the day (object)

• 하루 (one day) + -를 (object marker)

벌어: earn

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

사는 게: literally “the thing that is living” = “the fact of living” / “living itself”

• 살다 (to live) → 사는 (modifier form) + 것 (thing, fact) + 이 (subject marker) → contracted to 게

빠듯하단 걸: that (it) is tight / barely enough

• 빠듯하다 (to be tight, barely sufficient) + -단 (contraction of -다는, quotative descriptive ending used when reporting/describing something) + 것 (thing, fact) + -을 (object marker) → contracted to 걸

느꼈을 때: when (I) felt

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

내내 기분은 컨트롤 비트, My mood is like Control beat,

내내: the whole time / all along

기분은: the mood (topic)

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

컨트롤 비트: control beat (metaphor for being controlled, robotic)

계속해서 다운되네 It keeps going down

계속해서: continuously, over and over

• 계속하다 (to continue) + + -해서 (as/and so)

다운되네: goes down / keeps going down

• 다운되다 (to go down, to crash, to get depressed; from English “down”) + -네 (expressive ending)

매일매일이 Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V Everyday is like Ctrl + C, Ctrl +V

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)

반복 되네 It repeats

반복되네: repeats / is being repeated

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

갈길은 먼데 There's a long way to go

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

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

먼데: (it is) far, but…

• 멀다 (to be far) + -ㄴ데 (sentence ending particle, here = contrastive or background information: “but, though, it is that…”)

→ The -ㄴ데 ending (or -은데) softens the statement, trailing off with an implied contrast (e.g., “the road is far, but [I’m still here / I can’t move / etc.]”).

왜 난 제자리니 Why am I standing in place?

왜: why

난: I (as topic)

• 나 (I) + -는 (topic particle) → 난

제자리니: in the same place

• 제 (own, same) + 자리 (place/spot) → 제자리 (same spot) + -니 (ending, like asking/rhetorical: “am I?” / “why am I…?”)

답답해 소리쳐도 Even if I scream in frustration

답답해: it’s frustrating / suffocating

• 답답하다 (to feel stifled/frustrated) → 답답해 (present informal)

소리쳐도: even if I shout / scream

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

허공의 메아리 It only echoes in the air

허공의: of the empty air / void

• 허공 (empty air, void, nothingness) + -의 (possessive “of”)

메아리: echo

내일은 오늘보다는 뭔가 다르길 I hope tomorrow will be something different than today

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

• 무엇 (what, something) → contracted to 뭔 + -가 (subject marker)

다르길: (to be) different (wish/desire form)

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

난 애원할 뿐야 That's all I beg for

난: I (topic/subject)

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

애원할: will plead / to beg (attributive form)

• 애원하다 (to plead, to beg, to implore earnestly) + -ㄹ (attributive future form, describing what comes next: “that I will plead / pleading”)

뿐야: only / nothing but

• 뿐 (only, merely, nothing but) + -이야 (to be, informal ending) → contracted to 뿐야

[Vocal line] : 니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker Follow your dream like breaker

니: your

• 너의 → contracted to 니

꿈을: dream (object)

• 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)

따라가: follow, chase

• 따라가다 (to follow after) → 따라가 (imperative/suggestion tone)

like breaker: (English insert; comparing chasing dreams to a breaker/surfer breaking waves)

부서진대도 oh better Even if you break, oh better

부서진대도: even if (it) breaks / shatters

• 부서지다 (to break, to shatter, to be smashed) + -ㄴ대도 (ending meaning “even if / even though (it is said/it happens)”) → nuance of concession: “even if it breaks apart”

[Vocal line] : 니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker Follow your dream like breaker

니: your

• 너의 → contracted to 니

꿈을: dream (object)

• 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)

따라가: follow, chase

• 따라가다 (to follow after) → 따라가 (imperative/suggestion tone)

like breaker: (English insert; comparing chasing dreams to a breaker/surfer breaking waves)

무너진대도 oh Even if you collapse oh

무너진대도: even if it collapses/falls apart

• 무너지다 (to collapse, crumble) + -ㄴ대도 (even if/though it does)

뒤로 달아나지마 never Don't run back, never

뒤로: backward, to the back

달아나지마: don’t run away / don’t escape

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

해가 뜨기 전 새벽이 가장 어두우니까 Because it's darkest before the dawn

해가: the sun (as subject)

• 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)

뜨기 전: before rising

• 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) → 뜨기 (noun form “rising”) + 전 (before)

새벽이: dawn (subject)

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

가장: the most / very

어두우니까: because it’s dark

• 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (since, because)

먼 훗날에 넌 지금의 널 절대로 잊지 마 In the distant future, never forget who you are now

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/subject)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker, contracted)

지금의: of now / present (modifier)

• 지금 (now, the present) + -의 (possessive/attributive particle)

널: you (object)

• 너 (you) + -를 (object marker, contracted to 널)

절대로: never / absolutely not

잊지 마: don’t forget

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

지금 니가 어디 서 있든 No matter where you're standing right now,

지금: now / at this moment

니가: you (subject)

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

어디: where, what place

서 있든: standing (wherever it may be)

• 서다 (to stand) + -어 있다 (progressive/resultative form → “to be standing”) + -든 (ending meaning “whether / no matter …”)

잠시 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 It’s only a brief rest along the way

잠시: for a moment / briefly

• 잠시 (a short while, a moment)

쉬어가는: resting (as you go)

• 쉬다 (to rest) + -어 가다 (to go/do while → nuance of “pause along the way”) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing the following noun)

것일: thing / act (it is)

• 것 (thing, fact, act) + -이- (to be) + -ㄹ (attributive/future form) → 것일 (“the thing that is / will be”)

뿐: only / nothing more

• 뿐 (only, just, merely)

포기하지 마 알잖아 Don't give up, you know

포기하지 마: don’t give up

• 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)

알잖아: you know (don’t you know?)

• 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning “you know, after all”)

너무 멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get too far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

• 너무 (excessively, overly)

멀어지진: don’t become too distant / drift away (emphatic form)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, drift away) + -지 (negative marker used with 마 → “don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진 (adds emphasis: “don’t (really)”)

마: don’t (imperative)

• 말다 (to stop, to not do) → 마 (imperative “don’t”)

멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

멀어지진 마: don’t become too distant / don’t drift away (emphatic negative imperative)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, to drift away) + -지 마 (“don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진

너무 멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get too far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

• 너무 (excessively, overly)

멀어지진: don’t become too distant / drift away (emphatic form)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, drift away) + -지 (negative marker used with 마 → “don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진 (adds emphasis: “don’t (really)”)

마: don’t (imperative)

• 말다 (to stop, to not do) → 마 (imperative “don’t”)

[RM] : 우리가 그토록 기다린 내일도 어느새 Even the tomorrow we’ve waited so much for, before we know it,

우리가: we (as subject)

• 우리 (we) + -가 (subject particle)

그토록: so much, to that extent

• 그 (that) + 토록 (to the degree/extent)

기다린: (that we) waited-for

• 기다리다 (to wait) + -ㄴ (attributive ending for past) → 기다린

내일도: tomorrow too

• 내일 (tomorrow) + -도 (also, even)

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

눈을 떠보면 When I open my eyes

눈을: eyes (object)

• 눈 (eye) + -을 (object marker)

떠보면: if (I) open / when (I) open

• 뜨다 (to open (one’s eyes)) → 떠 + -보다 (try doing, here softens the action) + -면 (if/when)

어제의 이름이 돼 It becomes the name of yesterday

어제의: of yesterday

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

이름이: name (subject)

• 이름 (name) + -이 (subject particle)

돼: becomes

• 되다 (to become) → 돼 (present informal)

내일은 오늘이 되고 Tomorrow becomes today

내일은: tomorrow (topic)

• 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)

오늘이: today (subject)

• 오늘 (today) + -이 (subject marker)

되고: becomes / turns into

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

오늘은 어제가 되고 Today becomes yesterday

오늘은: today (topic)

• 오늘 (today) + -은 (topic marker)

어제가: yesterday (subject)

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

되고: becomes / turns into

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

내일은 어제가 되어 Tomorrow becomes yesterday

내일은: tomorrow (topic)

• 내일 (tomorrow) + -은 (topic marker)

어제가: yesterday (subject)

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

되어: becomes / turns into

• 되다 (to become) + -어 (connective ending, linking to the next part of the sentence)

내 등 뒤에 서있네 Standing behind my back

내: my

• 나 (I / me) + 의 (possessive particle, often shortened in speech/writing)

등: back, spine

뒤에: behind

• 뒤 (back/behind) + -에 (location particle, “at / in / on”)

서있네: is standing

• 서다 (to stand) + -어 있다 (progressive/resultative form → “to be standing”) + -네 (sentence ending, expressing realization or emphasis)

삶은 살아지는게 아니라 살아내는 것, Life is not about living, but surviving

삶은: life (topic)

• 삶 (life) + -은 (topic marker)

살아지는게: being lived (subject)

• 살아지다 (to be lived, to come to be lived — passive nuance, as if life just “happens to you”) + -는 (adjective modifier / turns verb into descriptive clause) + 게 (것이 → 게: nominalizer “thing” + subject marker (이), contracted to 게.)

아니라: not … but rather

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

살아내는 것: enduring / pushing through and living

• 살아내다 (to live through, to survive, to endure difficulties) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing “것”) + 것 (thing / fact / matter) → Here, 살아내는 것 = “the act of enduring life / living it through.”

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

그렇게 살아내다가 Living like that

그렇게: like that / in that way

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

살아내다가: while enduring / as (one) lives through

• 살아내다 (to endure and live through, to push through difficulties) + -다가 (connective ending meaning “while doing,” “as doing,” or “and then”)

언젠간 사라지는 것 Disappearing one day

언젠간: someday / eventually

• 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 (adjective modifier, turns verb into descriptive form) + 것 (thing / fact, nominalizer → turns the verb phrase into a noun phrase)

멍 때리다간 너, 쓸려가 If you space out, you'll be swept away

멍: blankness / daze (slangy noun meaning “spaced-out state,” “blank stare,” “daze”)

때리다간: if you do (and keep doing) / if you space out

• 때리다 (literally “to hit,” but in slang + 멍 = “to space out / zone out”) + -간 = contraction of -다가(는) → conditional nuance, “if you do that (habitually / continuously), then …”

너: you (informal pronoun)

쓸려가: get swept away / be carried off

• 쓸리다 (to be swept, to be carried away — passive verb) + -어 가 (to go in that state / get carried off)

If you ain’t no got the guts, trust

어차피 다 어제가 되고 말 텐데 It all ends up becoming yesterday

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: (It) will end up becoming … anyway (I expect / though …)

• 되다 (to become) + -고 말다 (to end up (doing) / to eventually (do) despite intention) → 되고 말다 (end up becoming) + -ㄹ 텐데 (it will probably … but … / inevitably … though …)

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

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

하루하루가 뭔 의미 겠어 So what does each day mean?

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

의미: meaning / significance

겠어: would / could / what would (rhetorical)

• -겠- (modal ending → indicates assumption, speculation, or rhetorical questioning) + -어 (informal ending)

행복해지고, 독해지고 싶었는데 I wanted to be happy and strong

행복해지고: to become happy and...

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

  • Grammar Note: The -고 here connects to the -고 싶다 (to want to …) form used in the lyric.

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 자꾸 약해지기만 하지 계속 Why do I keep becoming weaker?

왜: why

자꾸: repeatedly / constantly / over and over

약해지기만 하지: (You) only become weak / (You) just get weaker

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

계속: continuously / constantly

나 어디로 가, Where am I going?

나: I / me (informal pronoun)

어디로: to where

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

가: go

• 가다 (to go) + -아/어 (informal present tense ending, here used almost like a trailing question or cry)

여기로 가고 저기로 가도 Even if I go here, even if I go there

여기로: to here

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

가고: go and / even if (I) go

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

저기로: to there (over there)

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

가도: even if (I) go

• 가다 (to go) + -도 (even if, concessive particle)

Nuance: 가고 … 가도 = “whether I go here or there, even if I try both directions…”

난 항상 여기로 와 I always come back here

난: I (topic/subject)

• 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)

Nuance: “No matter where I go, I always end up back here.”

→ 항상 여기로 와 stresses inevitability: the speaker always returns to the same place.

그리 흘러가긴 하겠지 어디론가, I'll flow somewhere

그리: like that / that way

• 그렇다 (to be so) + -이 (adverbial form) → 그리 (in that way, like that)

흘러가긴 하겠지: it will flow / pass by (I guess)

• 흘러가다 (to flow, to pass by → time, water, life) + -긴 하다 (it does (verb), indeed, often used when admitting something) + -겠지 (I guess it will / it probably will)

어디론가: to somewhere / someplace

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

끝이 있긴 할까 이 미로가 Will there be an end to this maze?

끝이: an end (subject)

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

있긴 할까: will it really exist? / could there really be?

• 있다 (to exist, to be) + -긴 할까 (will it really…? / could it really…?)

  • -긴 (contraction of -기는, concessive/emphatic ending: “really, indeed”)

  • 하다 (support verb: “does/will”)

  • -ㄹ/을까 (interrogative ending expressing wondering or doubt: “will …? / could …?”)

이: this (modifier)

미로가: maze (subject)

• 미로 (maze, labyrinth) + -가 (subject marker)

갈길은 먼데 There's a long way to go

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

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

먼데: (it is) far, but…

• 멀다 (to be far) + -ㄴ데 (sentence ending particle, here = contrastive or background information: “but, though, it is that…”)

→ The -ㄴ데 ending (or -은데) softens the statement, trailing off with an implied contrast (e.g., “the road is far, but [I’m still here / I can’t move / etc.]”).

왜 난 제자리니 Why am I standing in place?

왜: why

난: I (as topic)

• 나 (I) + -는 (topic particle) → 난

제자리니: in the same place

• 제 (own, same) + 자리 (place/spot) → 제자리 (same spot) + -니 (ending, like asking/rhetorical: “am I?” / “why am I…?”)

답답해 소리쳐도 Even if I scream in frustration

답답해: it’s frustrating / suffocating

• 답답하다 (to feel stifled/frustrated) → 답답해 (present informal)

소리쳐도: even if I shout / scream

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

허공의 메아리 It only echoes in the air

허공의: of the empty air / void

• 허공 (empty air, void, nothingness) + -의 (possessive “of”)

메아리: echo

내일은 오늘보다는 뭔가 다르길 I hope tomorrow will be something different than today

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

• 무엇 (what, something) → contracted to 뭔 + -가 (subject marker)

다르길: (to be) different (wish/desire form)

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

난 애원할 뿐야 That's all I beg for

난: I (topic/subject)

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

애원할: will plead / to beg (attributive form)

• 애원하다 (to plead, to beg, to implore earnestly) + -ㄹ (attributive future form, describing what comes next: “that I will plead / pleading”)

뿐야: only / nothing but

• 뿐 (only, merely, nothing but) + -이야 (to be, informal ending) → contracted to 뿐야

[Vocal line] : 니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker Follow your dream like breaker

니: your

• 너의 → contracted to 니

꿈을: dream (object)

• 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)

따라가: follow, chase

• 따라가다 (to follow after) → 따라가 (imperative/suggestion tone)

like breaker: (English insert; comparing chasing dreams to a breaker/surfer breaking waves)

부서진대도 oh better Even if you break, oh better 

부서진대도: even if (it) breaks / shatters

• 부서지다 (to break, to shatter, to be smashed) + -ㄴ대도 (ending meaning “even if / even though (it is said/it happens)”) → nuance of concession: “even if it breaks apart”

[Vocal line] : 니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker Follow your dream like breaker

니: your

• 너의 → contracted to 니

꿈을: dream (object)

• 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)

따라가: follow, chase

• 따라가다 (to follow after) → 따라가 (imperative/suggestion tone)

like breaker: (English insert; comparing chasing dreams to a breaker/surfer breaking waves)

무너진대도 oh Even if you collapse oh

무너진대도: even if it collapses/falls apart

• 무너지다 (to collapse, crumble) + -ㄴ대도 (even if/though it does)

뒤로 달아나지마 never Don't run back, never

뒤로: backward, to the back

달아나지마: don’t run away / don’t escape

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

해가 뜨기 전 새벽이 가장 어두우니까 Because it's darkest before the dawn

해가: the sun (as subject)

• 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)

뜨기 전: before rising

• 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) → 뜨기 (noun form “rising”) + 전 (before)

새벽이: dawn (subject)

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

가장: the most / very

어두우니까: because it’s dark

• 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (since, because)

먼 훗날에 넌 지금의 널 절대로 잊지 마 In the distant future, never forget who you are now

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/subject)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker, contracted)

지금의: of now / present (modifier)

• 지금 (now, the present) + -의 (possessive/attributive particle)

널: you (object)

• 너 (you) + -를 (object marker, contracted to 널)

절대로: never / absolutely not

잊지 마: don’t forget

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

지금 니가 어디 서 있든 No matter where you're standing right now,

지금: now / at this moment

니가: you (subject)

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

어디: where, what place

서 있든: standing (wherever it may be)

• 서다 (to stand) + -어 있다 (progressive/resultative form → “to be standing”) + -든 (ending meaning “whether / no matter …”)

잠시 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 It’s only a brief rest along the way

잠시: for a moment / briefly

• 잠시 (a short while, a moment)

쉬어가는: resting (as you go)

• 쉬다 (to rest) + -어 가다 (to go/do while → nuance of “pause along the way”) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing the following noun)

것일: thing / act (it is)

• 것 (thing, fact, act) + -이- (to be) + -ㄹ (attributive/future form) → 것일 (“the thing that is / will be”)

뿐: only / nothing more

• 뿐 (only, just, merely)

포기하지 마 알잖아 Don't give up, you know

포기하지 마: don’t give up

• 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)

알잖아: you know (don’t you know?)

• 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning “you know, after all”)

너무 멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get too far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

• 너무 (excessively, overly)

멀어지진: don’t become too distant / drift away (emphatic form)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, drift away) + -지 (negative marker used with 마 → “don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진 (adds emphasis: “don’t (really)”)

마: don’t (imperative)

• 말다 (to stop, to not do) → 마 (imperative “don’t”)

[j-hope] : Tomorrow, 계속 걸어 Tomorrow, keep walking

계속: continuously / keep on / without stopping

걸어: walk

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

멈추기엔 우린 아직 너무 어려 We're still too young to stop

멈추기엔: to stop (is too …)

• 멈추다 (to stop, to halt) + -기 (nominalizer, “the act of stopping”) + -에 (to / for) + -는 (contracted to -엔, meaning “for …, to …”) → 멈추기엔 = “for stopping / to stop”

우린: we (topic)

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

아직: still / yet

너무: too / too much

어려: young

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

[j-hope, Jungkook] : Tomorrow, 문을 열어 Tomorrow, open the door

문을: the door (object)

• 문 (door) + -을 (object marker)

열어: open

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

닫기엔 많은 것들이 눈에 보여 We see too many things to close it

닫기엔: to close (is too …)

• 닫다 (to close, shut) + -기 (nominalizer, “the act of closing”) + -에 (for / to) + -는 (contracted to -엔) → “for closing / to close”

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 / visible

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

보여: are seen / appear

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

[j-hope] : 어두운 밤이 지나면 When the dark night passes

어두운: dark (adjective)

• 어둡다 (to be dark) + -운 (adjective modifier form) → 어두운 (dark, describing “night”)

밤이: night (subject)

• 밤 (night) + -이 (subject marker)

지나면: if/when … passes

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

밝은 아침도 있듯이, Just as there is a bright morning too

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 내일이 오면 When tomorrow naturally comes

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 … comes

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

빛이 비추니, As the light shines

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

걱정은 하지 말아줘: please don’t worry

• 걱정 (worry, concern) + -은 (topic marker, highlighting “as for worries…”) + 하지 말아 (don’t do (worry)) + -줘 (shortened from -주다, used in requests: “please / do it for me,” makes the request softer and more personal)

이건 정지가 아닌 This is not a stop

이건: this is (topic)

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

정지가: a stop / stopping (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 …”)

니 삶을 쉬어가는 잠시 동안의 일시 정지 But a brief pause in your life to take a rest

니: your

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

삶을: life (object)

• 삶 (life) + -을 (object marker)

쉬어가는: resting / pausing while going

• 쉬다 (to rest, to take a break) + -어 가다 (to go on while doing, progressive nuance “resting as you go”) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing “정지”)

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

동안의: of the time / during

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

일시 정지: temporary pause

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

엄지를 올리며 Raise your thumb

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”)

니 자신을 재생해 and restart yourself

니: your / yourself

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

자신을: yourself (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) + 해 (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 보란 듯이 So everyone can see

모두: everyone / all

보란 듯이: as if to say “look!”

• 보다 (to see) + -라 (imperative ending “see!”) + -ㄴ/은 (attributive form, modifying what comes next) + 듯이 (as if / like )→ 보란 = “as if to show (them),” “for them to see”

[Vocal line] : 니 꿈을 따라가 like breaker Follow your dream like breaker

니: your

• 너의 → contracted to 니

꿈을: dream (object)

• 꿈 (dream) + -을 (object marker)

따라가: follow, chase

• 따라가다 (to follow after) → 따라가 (imperative/suggestion tone)

like breaker: (English insert; comparing chasing dreams to a breaker/surfer breaking waves)

무너진대도 oh Even if you collapse oh

무너진대도: even if it collapses/falls apart

• 무너지다 (to collapse, crumble) + -ㄴ대도 (even if/though it does)

뒤로 달아나지마 never Don't run back, never

뒤로: backward, to the back

달아나지마: don’t run away / don’t escape

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

해가 뜨기 전 새벽이 가장 어두우니까 Because it's darkest before the dawn

해가: the sun (as subject)

• 해 (sun) + -가 (subject particle)

뜨기 전: before rising

• 뜨다 (to rise, come up – used for the sun) → 뜨기 (noun form “rising”) + 전 (before)

새벽이: dawn (subject)

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

가장: the most / very

어두우니까: because it’s dark

• 어둡다 (to be dark) → 어두우- (stem) + -니까 (since, because)

먼 훗날에 넌 지금의 널 절대로 잊지 마 In the distant future, never forget who you are now

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/subject)

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker, contracted)

지금의: of now / present (modifier)

• 지금 (now, the present) + -의 (possessive/attributive particle)

널: you (object)

• 너 (you) + -를 (object marker, contracted to 널)

절대로: never / absolutely not

잊지 마: don’t forget

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

지금 니가 어디 서 있든 No matter where you're standing right now,

지금: now / at this moment

니가: you (subject)

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

어디: where, what place

서 있든: standing (wherever it may be)

• 서다 (to stand) + -어 있다 (progressive/resultative form → “to be standing”) + -든 (ending meaning “whether / no matter …”)

잠시 쉬어가는 것일 뿐 It’s only a brief rest along the way

잠시: for a moment / briefly

• 잠시 (a short while, a moment)

쉬어가는: resting (as you go)

• 쉬다 (to rest) + -어 가다 (to go/do while → nuance of “pause along the way”) + -는 (adjective modifier, describing the following noun)

것일: thing / act (it is)

• 것 (thing, fact, act) + -이- (to be) + -ㄹ (attributive/future form) → 것일 (“the thing that is / will be”)

뿐: only / nothing more

• 뿐 (only, just, merely)

포기하지 마 알잖아 Don't give up, you know

포기하지 마: don’t give up

• 포기하다 (to give up) + -지 마 (don’t)

알잖아: you know (don’t you know?)

• 알다 (to know) + -잖아 (ending meaning “you know, after all”)

너무 멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get too far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

• 너무 (excessively, overly)

멀어지진: don’t become too distant / drift away (emphatic form)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, drift away) + -지 (negative marker used with 마 → “don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진 (adds emphasis: “don’t (really)”)

마: don’t (imperative)

• 말다 (to stop, to not do) → 마 (imperative “don’t”)

멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

멀어지진 마: don’t become too distant / don’t drift away (emphatic negative imperative)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, to drift away) + -지 마 (“don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진

너무 멀어지진 마 tomorrow Don't get too far away, tomorrow

너무: too / too much

• 너무 (excessively, overly)

멀어지진: don’t become too distant / drift away (emphatic form)

• 멀어지다 (to become distant, drift away) + -지 (negative marker used with 마 → “don’t”) + -는 → contracted with -지 to -진 (adds emphasis: “don’t (really)”)

마: don’t (imperative)

• 말다 (to stop, to not do) → 마 (imperative “don’t”)

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💬 Related post: BTS (방탄소년단) - 'Tomorrow' Lyrics (With English Translation)

BTS (방탄소년단) - 'Tomorrow' Lyric Video

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