Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics: 'BTS Cypher Pt.1' Grammar & Vocabulary Explained

BTS Cypher Pt.1 - Song by BTS (Spotify) | BTS Cypher Pt.1 - Song by BTS (Apple Music)

BTS (방탄소년단) - 'BTS Cypher Pt.1' Lyrics (With English Translation & Korean Grammar/Vocabulary Notes)

[RM] : Damn 힙부심,

Damn hip hop pride

힙부심 → "hip-hop pride" (a slang term in Korean)

• 힙 → Short for 힙합 (hip-hop)

• 부심 → Short for 자부심 (pride, self-esteem)

• 힙부심 (힙합 + 부심) refers to "hip-hop pride", or the feeling of superiority and confidence related to hip-hop culture. People who have 힙부심 might act like they have deep knowledge of hip-hop, dress in a certain way, or look down on others who don’t understand the culture as much as they do. It’s often used jokingly or critically, especially when someone is overly obsessed with being "authentic" in hip-hop culture.

아이돌 랩퍼? Cut that 불씨

Idol rapper? Cut that spark

아이돌 → "Idol" (K-pop idol)

랩퍼 → "Rapper" (borrowed from English)

• When used together, an 아이돌 래퍼 refers to a rapper who is part of a K-pop idol group, rather than someone from the underground or traditional hip-hop scene. In a neutral sense, it just describes a rapper in an idol group. However, some hip-hop purists use it critically, implying that idol rappers are less skilled or "manufactured" compared to underground rappers.

불씨 → "a spark" or "embers" (referring to the small remnants of fire that can reignite if given fuel)

• 불 = Fire

• 씨 = Seed

• "불씨" (bul-ssi) when said also sounds similar to the English word "bullshit," which could be potential wordplay. "Idol rapper? Cut that bullshit" (i.e. criticizing idol rappers, calling them or their rap bullshit.) (So in this lyric, RM is likely quoting criticism he (and other idol rappers like himself) receive. The Cypher tracks are generally responses to haters.)

어차피 본질은 아이돌 쉿이라며 날 무시해

Looking down on me, saying my essence is a shitty idol

어차피 → "Anyway" or "In any case"

• 어차피 means "anyway" or "in any case," implying that something is inevitable or will happen regardless of the situation.

본질은 → "The essence is"

• 본질 means "essence" or "nature," referring to the fundamental or core aspect of something. 은 is a topic particle, marking 본질 as the topic of the sentence.

아이돌 → "Idol"

• 아이돌 is the Korean word for "idol," referring to a popular entertainer or celebrity, especially in the context of the K-pop industry.

쉿이라며 → "Saying that it is shitty"

• 쉿이 can be interpreted as a Korean spelling of the English word "shitty". 쉿 could also be interpreted as an onomatopoeic word for "Shh" (used to tell someone to be quiet, like in English).

• -(이)라며 → A contracted form of -(이)라고 하며, which means:

  • "Saying that it is..."

  • "You said..." / "They said..."

• So "쉿이라며" could mean "Saying that it's shitty" or "Saying 'Shh'" (implying that someone told them to be quiet). It could be wordplay intended to convey both meanings (i.e. people call R.M. a shitty idol, or they tell him to be quiet).

날 → "Me" (object marker)

• 날 is the object form of 나 (I), meaning "me." The -를 particle is added (and contracted with 나, 나를 → 날) to convey that 나 (I) is the object of the verb (무시하다).

무시해 → "Ignore me"

• 무시하다 means "to ignore" or "to disregard." The ending -해 is the informal present form, meaning "ignore".

줏대 따위는 개주고 내 이름을 비웃지

You spinelessly laugh at my name

줏대 → "Principles" or "Backbone"

• 줏대 refers to one's principles or beliefs, often used to describe someone's moral or personal stance.

따위는 → "Things like" or "Such things"

• 따위 means "things like" or "such things," often used to diminish or dismiss something as insignificant or unimportant. The particle 는 is a topic marker, suggesting that the following is being dismissed or ignored.

개주고 → "Throw it away"

• 개주다 is an expression that literally means "give to a dog," but in this context, it's used metaphorically to imply discarding something. 개 (dog) is often used in slang to emphasize something worthless. It can mean "throw away" or "discard" in a very dismissive manner.

내 → "My"

• 내 is the informal possessive form of 나 (I), meaning "my."

이름을 → "Name" (object marker)

• 이름 means "name," and 을 is the object particle, marking 이름 as the object of the sentence.

비웃지 → "Mock" or "Laugh at"

• 비웃다 means "to mock" or "to laugh at," with -지 being the informal declarative ending that implies the speaker is asserting or commenting on the situation.

물타기와 무시밖에 모르는 니들이, how you kill me?

You only know how to water down and neglect, how you kill me?

물타기와 → "Dilution and" or "watering down and"

• 물타기 refers to the act of diluting or watering down something, often used metaphorically to mean making something weaker or less significant, or in some cases, avoiding direct confrontation or responsibility.

• 와 is a particle that connects nouns and means "and" (similar to and in English).

무시밖에 → "Only ignoring"

• 무시 means "ignoring," and 밖에 means "only" or "nothing but." Together, 무시밖에 means "only ignoring" or "nothing but ignoring."

모르는 → "Don’t know" (modifier form)

• 모르다 means "to not know," and 모르는 is the modifying form of the verb, meaning "who don’t know" or "that don’t know."

니들이 → "You all" (informal)

• 니들 is an informal way of saying "you all" or "you guys" (used for addressing a group), and 이 is a subject marker.

So I bring the monster back, my monster swag

So this is the monster track cuz of my freaking monster rap

현대판 홍길동들, 좋은 걸 보고도 좋다고 못해

Modern version of Hong Gildong, you see good things and can't say you like it

현대판 → "Modern version" or "Contemporary version"

• 현대 means "modern" or "contemporary," and 판 means "version" or "edition." Together, 현대판 refers to a modern or contemporary version of something, often used to describe a person or thing that has a similar role to a historical figure, but in today's world.

홍길동들 → "Hong Gildong" (plural form)

• 홍길동 is a famous character from a classic Korean novel "홍길동전" (The Story of Hong Gildong). He is often seen as a Korean Robin Hood, a heroic figure who fights against social injustice. The 들 at the end is a plural marker, meaning 홍길동들 refers to multiple people who are being compared to Hong Gildong. In the context of this lyric, the reference is probably alluding to how Hong Gildong is an illegitimate child and unable to publicly acknowledge his father as "아버지" (father). Just like Hong Gildong was not allowed to speak freely or claim his rightful identity, these "modern Hong Gildongs" are restricted from expressing their true thoughts and feelings. There is a societal or emotional constraint forcing people to suppress their words, even when they recognize something as good—drawing a parallel between past oppression and present-day struggles with self-expression and societal pressure.

좋은 → "Good"

• 좋은 is the adjective form of 좋다 (good). It describes something as good or positive.

걸 → "Thing" (object marker)

• 걸 is a colloquial contraction of 것을, meaning "thing" or "matter." It refers to something that is good in this context.

보고도 → "Even though I see"

• 보고 comes from the verb 보다 (to see), and 도 means "even though" or "despite." The "고" in "-고도" comes from the connective ending "-고", which is commonly used to link actions or states ("and"). 보고도 expresses the idea that the subject sees something but doesn't act on it.

좋다고 → "Say it’s good"

• 좋다고 comes from 좋다 (good) + -다고, which is used to indicate a quoted or indirect statement. It means "say it’s good."

못해 → "Can’t do"

• 못해 comes from the verb 하다 (to do) combined with 못 (meaning "can't"). So, 못해 means "can’t do" or "unable to do."

3세대 리더 so imma lead ya 이건 세대교체

Third generation leader, so imma lead ya, this is a generational change

3세대 → "3rd generation"

• 세대 means "generation," and 3세대 refers to the third generation. In this context, it's likely referring to the third generation of K-pop which is the generation BTS is a part of.

리더 → "Leader"

• 리더 is the borrowed term for "leader," taken from English. It means someone who leads or guides others.

이건 → "This is"

• 이건 is a contraction of 이것은, which means "this is" or "this one is." It’s a colloquial way of referring to something in the immediate context.

세대교체 → "Generational change" or "Changing of generations"

• 세대 means "generation," and 교체 means "change" or "replacement." 세대교체 refers to the process of one generation being replaced by the next, often used to describe shifts in leadership, culture, or power.

I’m sayin yeah I’m the top of the top of the top

Poppin’ em, rockin’ em, stoppin’ em, blockin’ em, like the Cassius lance

Imma don, 비트 끄지마 becuz I’m not freakin done

Imma don, don't turn off the beat becuz I’m not freakin done

비트 → "Beat"

• 비트 is the Korean transliteration of the English word "beat," referring to the rhythm or the instrumental background in music, especially in hip-hop or rap.

끄지마 → "Don't turn it off" or "Stop turning it off."

• 끄다 → "To turn off" (a light, phone, TV, etc.)

• -지 마 → "Don't [do something]" (negative command)

• 끄다 (to turn off) + -지 마 (don’t) → 끄지 마 ("Don’t turn it off.")

비트 위에선 까불지마 cuz every kick is my freaking zone

Don't mess around on the beat cuz every kick is my freaking zone

비트 → "Beat"

• 비트 is the Korean transliteration of the English word "beat," referring to the rhythm or the instrumental background in music, especially in hip-hop or rap.

위에선 → "On" or "on top of"

• 위 means "top" or "on," and -에선 is a contraction of:

  • -에서 → Location marker, meaning "at" or "from"

  • -는 → Topic marker (in spoken Korean, 에서 + 는 → 에선 for smoother pronunciation)

• So, (비트) 위에선 means "on (the beat)."

까불지마 → "Don't mess around" or "Don't fool around"

• 까불다 is a slang verb meaning "to mess around," "to act silly," or "to fool around." -지마 is the negative command form, meaning "don't do." So, 까불지마 means "Don't mess around" or "Stop acting foolish."

난 원래 관대해 but now imma murder your rappers

I'm usually generous, but now imma murder your rappers

난 → "I am" or "I" (informal, contraction of 나는)

• 난 is a contraction of 나는, which means "I" (topic) in Korean. It's a casual or informal way of saying "I" or "I am."

원래 → "Originally" or "Naturally"

• 원래 means "originally," "by nature," or "naturally." It implies that the situation or characteristic is inherent or comes from the beginning, not something that has changed or is unusual.

관대해 → "Generous" or "Tolerant"

• 관대해 comes from the adjective 관대하다, which means "to be generous" or "to be tolerant." It implies being forgiving, lenient, or open-minded towards others.

차례대로 썰어버리고 then imma murder you haters

I'm going to cut them one by one then imma murder you haters

차례대로 → "In order" or "One by one"

• 차례 means "order" or "turn," and 대로 is a particle that means "according to" or "in the manner of." So, 차례대로 means "in order," "one by one," or "sequentially." It indicates doing something in a specific order.

썰어버리고 → "Slice and do it completely"

• 썰다 means "to slice" or "to cut" (often used in the context of slicing food or cutting something into pieces).

• -어버리다 is a grammatical construction that emphasizes the completion or finality of an action, often indicating that something is done thoroughly or decisively.

• -고 is a connecting particle that links actions together, similar to "and" in English.

자 이제 날 봐, 그리고 말해봐 누가 니 top 5?

Now look at me, and tell me who's your top five?

자 → "Now" or "Come on"

• 자 is an informal way of saying "now" or "come on." It’s used to grab attention or prompt action.

이제 → "Now" or "From now on"

• 이제 means "now" or "from now on," indicating a shift to the present or the next part of something.

날 → "Me" (informal, contraction of 나를)

• 날 is a contraction of 나를, which means "me" (object form).

봐 → "Look" or "See" (imperative)

• 봐 is the informal imperative form of 보다 (to look or see). It's used here to command or ask someone to look at the speaker.

그리고 → "And then" or "And"

• 그리고 means "and then" or "and," connecting two actions or thoughts together.

말해봐 → "Say" or "Try saying" (imperative)

• 말해봐 is the informal imperative form of 말하다 (to speak, to say), with the -봐 suffix indicating a suggestion or encouragement to try something. In this case, it’s like saying "try saying" or "say it."

누가 → "Who" (subject form)

• 누가 means "who," used to ask about a person or subject.

니 → "Your" (informal/slang)

• 니 is an informal/slang version of 너의, meaning "your."

랩몬스터, 란다, 리다, 랩몬, 니 아빠 Rap Monster, Randa, Leader, Rap Mon, your dad

랩몬스터 (Rap Monster) → RM's original stage name

• RM originally debuted as Rap Monster (랩몬스터) but later shortened it to RM.

란다 (Randa) → RM’s underground rapper name

• "Runch Randa" was RM’s underground rapper name, inspired by a MapleStory character. From 2007 to 2010, he was active on Jungle Radio, an underground hip-hop café, before signing with Big Hit Entertainment.

리다 → Leader

• The Korean transliteration of the English word "Leader" (리더) since RM is the leader of BTS.

랩몬 (Rapmon)

• A shortened version of "Rap Monster"

니 아빠 → "Your dad"

• 니 → This is an informal or casual way of saying "your".

• 아빠 → This means "dad" or "father".

  • It's the informal, affectionate term for dad (as opposed to "아버지", which is more formal).

*These are all referring to RM.

[j-hope] : 지금은 hope world, from BTS

Now it's hope world, from BTS

지금은 → "As for now," "Right now," or "At this moment."

• 지금 → "Now" or "At this moment."

• 은 → A topic marker used to emphasize or contrast.

전부 날 follow 내 가능성은 리트윗돼

Everyone follow me, my potential is retweeted

전부 → "All" or "Everything"

• 전부 means "all," "everything," or "entirely." It refers to the whole or total amount of something.

날 → "Me" (informal, contraction of 나를)

• 날 is a contraction of 나를, which means "me" (object form).

내 → "My"

• 내 is the informal possessive form of 나, meaning "my."

가능성 → "Possibility"

• 가능성 means "possibility" or "potential," referring to the chance or likelihood of something happening.

리트윗돼 → "Gets retweeted"

• 리트윗 is the Korean transliteration of the English word "retweet," and -돼 comes from 되다, which indicates that something happens or is done. So, 리트윗돼 means "gets retweeted" or "is retweeted."

모두에게 알려 내 flow, 고막을 타고 니 몸을 채워

Let everyone know my flow, it flows through your eardrums and fills your body

모두에게 → "To everyone"

• 모두 means "everyone" or "all."

• 에게 is a particle that indicates the target or recipient of an action, so 모두에게 means "to everyone."

알려 → "Tell" or "Let [someone] know" (informal, imperative)

• 알려 comes from the verb 알리다, meaning "to tell" or "to inform." This form is in the informal imperative, encouraging someone to tell or inform others.

내 → "My"

• 내 is the informal possessive form of 나 ("my").

고막을 → "Eardrum" (object form)

• 고막 means "eardrum," and 을 is the object particle, meaning that 고막 is the direct object of the action in this sentence.

타고 → "Riding" or "Along"

• 타다 means "to ride" or "to travel on," and -고 connects actions, similar to "and" or "while" in English. In this case, it means "riding" or "traveling along" (the sound traveling through the eardrum).

니 → "Your" (informal/slang)

• 니 is an informal/slang version of 너의, meaning "your."

몸을 → "Body" (object form)

• 몸 means "body," and 을 is the object particle, marking 몸 as the object of the action.

채워 → "Fill" (informal)

• 채우다 means "to fill," and -어 is the informal present form. So, 채워 means "fill (it up)."

칼을 갈았어, 내일을 위해

I sharpened my knife for tommorow

칼을 → "Knife" (object form)

• 칼 means "knife" or "sword," and 을 is the object particle, marking 칼 as the direct object of the action in this sentence.

갈았어 → "Sharpened"

• 갈다 means "to sharpen," and -았어 is a past tense form of the verb, indicating that the action has already been completed. So, 갈았어 means "sharpened" or "have sharpened."

내일을 → "Tomorrow" (object form)

• 내일 means "tomorrow," and 을 is the object particle, marking 내일 as the direct object of the action.

위해 → "For" or "For the purpose of"

• 위해 comes from the verb 위하다, meaning "to do something for the benefit of" or "for the purpose of." It indicates that the sharpening of the knife was done with the purpose of preparing for something in the future (specifically, tomorrow).

get back in the days

나이도 나이고, 라임도 몰랐던 아이고

I was still pretty young, and I was a kid who didn't even know how to rhyme

나이도 나이고 → "I was young" or "I was just that age"

• 나이 means "age," and 도 is a particle meaning "also" or "even." So, 나이도 means "age too," implying that age is being included or considered along with something else.

• 나이고 is 나이 + -고, where -고 is a connector meaning "and."– But here, this is a more poetic or stylized way of saying:→ 나이도 어렸고 (Even the age [was young]...). 나이도 나이고 emphasizes: "My age was what it was" – a way of shrugging at immaturity or saying "I was just a kid." The repetition emphasizes: I didn’t know any better. I was just a kid.

라임도 → "Rhyme too"

• 라임 is the Korean transliteration of "rhyme," used in the context of music, especially rap.

• 도 means "too" or "even," so 라임도 means "rhyme too," or "even rhyme."

몰랐던 → "Didn't know" (past form of "not know")

• 모르다 means "to not know," and -았던 is the past form, showing that the speaker didn't know something in the past.

• So, 몰랐던 means "didn't know" or "didn't have knowledge of."

아이고 → “oh man,” “geez,” “oh boy.”

• 아이고 is an interjection like “oh man,” “geez,” “oh boy," often used when expressing pity, embarrassment, or a sigh. In this line, it’s used humorously or self-deprecatingly, like shaking your head at your past self.

  • 나이도 나이고, 라임도 몰랐던... 아이고. → "I was just young, didn’t even know rhyme... oh man."

  • You could imagine the speaker shaking their head at their younger self.
    

그저 아이돌 바라본 광주의 흔한 아이였던 나

An average kid from Gwangju who just watched idols

그저 → "Just" or "Simply"

• 그저 means "just" or "simply," suggesting that something was nothing more than what is described, emphasizing the simplicity or ordinariness of it.

아이돌 → "Idol"

• 아이돌 is a Korean term used for "idol," referring to pop stars or celebrities, especially in the context of K-pop.

바라본 → "Looked at" or "Viewed"

• 바라보다 means "to look at" or "to gaze at." The form -본 is the past participle, meaning "looked at" or "viewed" in the past. It indicates that the speaker was looking at or admiring idols in the past.

광주의 → "Of Gwangju"

• 광주 is the name of a city in South Korea, and 의 is a possessive particle that means "of" or "from." So 광주의 means "of Gwangju" or "from Gwangju," indicating the speaker's place of origin.

흔한 → "Common" or "Ordinary"

• 흔한 means "common" or "ordinary," suggesting that the speaker was just a typical or average person from Gwangju, not special or different from others.

아이였던 → "Was a child" (past form of "child")

• 아이 means "child," -였 is the past form of 이다 (이다 → 이었 → 였), and -던 is a retrospective modifier used to describe a past state, often with a lingering memory or emotional nuance. “-던” turns the verb into a modifier (like “that was” or “used to be”). It makes it possible to attach it to another noun or use it like an adjective. So, 아이였던 means "was a child" or "used to be a child."

나 → "I" or "Me"

• 나 means "I" or "me," referring to the speaker.

그래 이젠 보여줄게

But now let me show you

그래 → "Yeah" or "That's right"

• 그래 is an informal expression that can mean "yeah," "that's right," or "I see." It’s often used to affirm something or to continue a conversation.

이젠 → "Now" or "From now on"

• 이젠 is a contracted form of 이제는, meaning "now" or "from now on" (이제 meaning "now" + topic particle -는). It implies a shift to the present moment or a change in situation.

보여줄게 → "I’ll show you"

• 보여주다 means "to show" or "to let someone see," and -ㄹ게 is a verb ending that shows the speaker’s intention or promise to do something in the future. So, 보여줄게 means "I’ll show you" or "I will make you see."

이 트랙 위 Cypher에서내 포부를 밝혀

In the cypher on this track I reveal my ambition

이 → "This"

• 이 is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this," referring to something near the speaker (in this case, "this track").

트랙 → "Track"

• 트랙 is a transliteration of the English word "track," which refers to a song or a musical piece, especially in the context of rap or music albums.

위 → "On" or "Upon"

• 위 means "on," "upon," or "on top of." It indicates the position or location where something happens. In this context, it indicates that the speaker is referring to what happens "on the track."

Cypher에서 → "In the Cypher"

• Cypher refers to a freestyle rap session, often involving multiple rappers taking turns to rap. The 에서 is a location particle that means "at" or "in," so Cypher에서 means "in the Cypher" (the place where freestyle rapping happens).

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession, indicating that what follows belongs to the speaker.

포부를 → "Aspiration" or "Ambition"

• 포부 means "aspiration" or "ambition," referring to one's goals or desires for the future. 를 is the object particle, marking 포부 as the object of the verb in the sentence.

밝혀 → "Reveal" or "Declare"

• 밝히다 means "to reveal" or "to declare." -여 is an informal imperative ending, which in this context could mean "reveal" or "declare" as an instruction or a statement of intention.

I'm above the minors

그래 너완 다른 메이저 uh

I'm a major unlike you uh

그래 → "Yeah" or "That's right"

• As mentioned before, 그래 is used to affirm something or as a response, like "yeah" or "that's right."

너완 → "With you" (informal)

• 너 means "you" (informal), and 와/과 is a particle meaning "with." The -는 is a topic marker. 너완 is a contracted form that combines “너와는” → 너완 (just like how "I'm" is a contraction of "I am" in English). It’s very common to shorten 너와는 to 너완 for smoother flow or rhythm — especially in songs or poems. (너완 다른 → "Unlike you / As for being with you / Compared to you...)

다른 → "Different"

• 다른 means "different," showing that something or someone is distinct from what is being compared to.

메이저 → "Major"

• 메이저 is a transliteration of the English word "major," referring to someone or something significant or prominent, particularly in the context of music (as in "major label" or "mainstream"). It indicates a higher level or importance.

TV screen을 난 채워 uh

I fill the TV screen uh

TV screen을 → "TV screen" (object)

• TV screen is an English term used directly in Korean, meaning a television screen.

• 을 → Object particle

  • 을 is the object particle used after a noun when the noun ends in a consonant. It marks the direct object of the sentence, meaning the action is being done to the object. Here, TV screen을 means "the TV screen" is what the action is affecting.

난 → "I"

• 난 is a contraction of 나는, meaning "I" or "I am," with 는 being a topic particle. It indicates that the speaker is the subject of the action.

채워 → "Fill"

• 채우다 means "to fill" or "to fill up." -어 is an informal, present tense verb ending, so 채워 means "fill (it)."

래퍼 코스튬?

Rapper costume?

래퍼 코스튬 → "Rapper costume"

• ​래퍼 → rapper (from English)

• 코스튬 → costume (from English)

• (Implying maybe someone is pretending to be a rapper rather than actually being one.)

no 거품을 거두고 내뱉어 내가 원하던 것을,

no I wipe away the bubbles and spit out what I wanted

거품을 → "The bubble" or "The fluff"

• 거품 means "bubble" or "foam," but in a metaphorical sense, it can refer to something inflated, unnecessary, or excessive. 을 is the object particle, so 거품을 means "the bubble" or "the fluff" that is being acted upon.

거두고 → "Gathering" or "Taking away"

• 거두다 means "to gather" or "to take away." In this context, it means to remove the fluff, excess, or things that are unimportant, bringing things down to their core or essential truth. The -고 suffix connects this verb to the next action, implying "and then."

내뱉어 → "Spit out" or "Say"

• 내뱉다 means "to spit out" or "to utter." It's often used to describe speaking or saying something forcefully or decisively. The -어 is the informal present tense ending, so 내뱉어 means "spit out" or "say" in a casual, direct way.

내가 → "I" (subject)

• Even though "내" is typically the possessive form of "I" (like "my"), it also appears in "내가", which means "I (as subject)." When "나" ("I/me") takes the subject particle -가, it undergoes a phonological change (나가 (too confusing — sounds like "go out")). 내가 means "I" (the speaker as the subject). This is an irregular contraction that became standard usage in modern Korean. 내가 is used when emphasizing who is doing something.

원하던 → "Desired" or "I wanted"

• 원하다 means "to want" or "to desire." 던 is a grammatical ending that refers to something in the past that was ongoing or habitual. 원하던 means "the thing I wanted" or "the thing I was desiring."

것을 → "Thing" or "What"

• 것 means "thing," and 을 is the object particle. 것을 refers to the object or thing being acted upon, often in a more abstract sense, as in "what" or "the thing."

난 지금 어딜 가도 이슈감

Now I'm an issue wherever I go / Wherever I go now I'm an issue

난 → "I"

• 난 is a contraction of 나는, which means "I" or "I am." It's the informal topic marker used here to indicate that the speaker is the subject.

지금 → "Now"

• 지금 means "now" or "currently." It refers to the present time or moment.

어딜 → "Where"

• 어딜 is a contraction of 어디를, meaning "where" (with the object particle 을/를). This phrase is asking about or referring to a location, though it has an implied meaning of "wherever" or "anywhere."

가도 → "Even if (I) go"

• 가다 means "to go," and 도 is the particle that means "even if" or "even though." So 가도 implies "even if I go," suggesting no matter where the speaker goes.

이슈감 → "Issue" or "Topic"

• 이슈 is borrowed from English and means "issue" or "topic." 감 is a suffix that turns a noun into a sense or feeling related to the noun. So, 이슈감 refers to something that is "issue-worthy" or has the quality of being a topic or point of interest.

배가 아프면 병원 가 전치 2주감

If you're jealous go to the hospital, it'll take two weeks to cure

배가 → "Stomach"

• 배 means "stomach" or "belly," and 가 is the subject particle, marking the stomach as the subject of the sentence.

아프면 → "If (it) hurts"

• 아프다 means "to hurt" or "to be in pain." 면 is a conditional suffix, meaning "if." So 아프면 means "if it hurts."

병원 → "Hospital"

• 병원 means "hospital." It's a standard word used to refer to a medical facility.

가 → "Go"

• 가 is the verb 가다 (to go) in its imperative/present informal form. It's used here to say "go" in the context of going to the hospital.

전치 → "Recovery period"

• 전치 refers to a medical recovery period or a prescribed healing period. It’s a term used when someone is given a certain amount of time to recover from an injury or illness. It can be used more broadly for any required recovery time.

2주감 → "2 weeks"

• 2주 means "2 weeks." 감, mentioned above ("이슈감"),takes on the meaning of: "something that feels suitable for X" or "has the potential / vibe of X." Think of it like the English "-worthy", "material", or "potential." [Noun/Concept] + 감 = "Something that feels like it belongs to that category." So 2주감 implies "a 2-week recovery period."

내 패배를 바랬던 사람들 다 뒷목을 잡지

All those who wanted my defeat hold the back of their necks

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my." It's a possessive form indicating that what follows belongs to the speaker.

패배를 → "Defeat"

• 패배 means "defeat" or "failure." 를 is the object particle, indicating that 패배 is the object of the sentence.

바랬던 → "Wanted"

• 바랬던 comes from 바라다, meaning "to wish" or "to want." 던 is a past tense modifier that indicates an action or state that was ongoing or habitual in the past. So, 바랬던 means "wanted" or "wished for."

사람들 → "People"

• 사람들 means "people." It's the plural form of 사람 (person), so it refers to more than one person.

다 → "All"

• 다 means "all" or "everyone," used to emphasize that the following noun applies to everyone in the group.

뒷목을 → "Back of the neck"

• 뒷목 means "back of the neck," and 을 is the object particle, meaning that 뒷목 is the object of the action.

잡지 → "Grab" or "Clutch"

• 잡다 means "to grab" or "to clutch," and -지 is used as an informal verb ending. It's kind of like making a statement with an air of confidence, or implying “you know it,” “obviously,” “of course” depending on tone. 뒷목을 잡다 — is actually a Korean expression. It’s used when someone is so shocked, frustrated, or angry that they instinctively grab the back of their neck like "Ugh!" You see it a lot in K-dramas when a character hears bad news or is completely overwhelmed. So when the speaker says "다 뒷목을 잡지," they’re flexing — saying, "Now all the people who wanted me to fail are so stressed, they can’t handle it."

힙부심 판치는 게임 위 J-hope은 반칙 In the hip hop pride game, j-hope is a cheat code

힙부심 → "Hip-hop pride" or "Hip-hop superiority"

• 힙부심 is a combination of 힙합 (hip-hop) and 부심 (pride or arrogance). It refers to someone who displays an over-the-top sense of pride about their hip-hop identity or status, often implying they are overly boastful or show off their connection to hip-hop culture.

판치는 → "Running rampant" or "Rife"

• 판치다 means "to run rampant" or "to be widespread." 판치는 is the present progressive form of the verb, indicating that something is currently prevailing or happening extensively. In this context, it suggests that "hip-hop pride" is spreading or "running rampant" in the "game."

게임 → "Game"

• 게임 simply means "game." It refers to a competition or activity, which, in this context, might be referring to the "game" of the music or entertainment industry, specifically in the hip-hop scene.

위 → "On" or "Above"

• 위 means "on," "above," or "in." It's a location particle, indicating that something is on top of or in the context of what comes before it—in this case, the game.

J-hope은 → "J-Hope" (topic)

• J-hope is the stage name of a member of the K-pop group BTS, known for his involvement in hip-hop. 은 is the topic particle, used here to emphasize J-Hope.

반칙 → "Foul" or "Cheating"

• 반칙 refers to a foul, illegal move, or cheating in the context of a game or competition. It’s used to describe actions that violate the rules or are seen as unfair or improper.

[Suga] : 난 미필 but 취미는 저격

I haven't completed my military service but my hobby is sniping

난 → "I am" or "I"

• 난 is a shortened form of 나는, which is a contraction of 나 (I) + 는 (topic particle). It indicates the topic of the sentence, which in this case is "I."

미필 → "Not having served in the military"

• 미필 is short for 미복무 필자, which refers to someone who has not yet completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. It’s often used humorously or self-deprecatingly to refer to someone who is exempt from or still hasn’t completed their military service.

취미는 → "Hobby is"

• 취미 means "hobby," and 는 is the topic particle, so 취미는 means "as for my hobby" or "my hobby is."

저격 → "Sniping" or "Targeting"

• 저격 literally means "sniping" or "targeting," referring to the action of shooting or attacking a specific target with precision. In a figurative sense, it can mean targeting someone or something, often with sharp criticism or focus.

We are bulletproof로 한방을 먹였지

We gave you a blow with We are Bulletproof

We are bulletproof로 → "With 'We are Bulletproof'" or "through 'We are Bulletproof'"

• 로 is a particle that indicates the direction, method, or means of an action. In this context, it is used to show that the action is done with or by "We are bulletproof," referring to the song or the concept behind it. It's implying that this is the method or source of the action.

한방을 → "One shot" or "One hit"

• 한방 literally means "one shot" or "one hit." It's often used to describe a powerful, decisive blow or action. 을 is the object particle, marking 한방 as the object of the verb that follows.

먹였지 → "Fed (someone) a hit" or "Landed a hit"

• 먹였지 comes from the verb 먹이다, which means "to feed" or "to give something to someone." In slang, it can mean to "land a hit" or "deal a blow," especially in the context of hitting someone figuratively with an impact, like delivering a powerful message or action. The 지 ending adds a sense of emphasis or certainty, similar to "you know" or "I’m telling you."

어설픈 가짜들은 찔려 반응하지

Clumsy fakes react to being pricked

어설픈 → "Clumsy" or "Incompetent"

• 어설픈 means something or someone that is awkward, clumsy, or incompetent. It’s used to describe people who are fake, not skilled, or pretending to be something they’re not.

가짜들 → "Fakes" or "Impostors"

• 가짜 means "fake" or "imposter," and 들 is the plural marker. So, 가짜들 means "the fakes" or "the impostors."

찔려 → "Feeling pricked" or "Feeling guilty"

• 찔려 comes from the verb 찔리다, which means "to be pricked" (like by a needle) or "to feel a sharp sensation." In a figurative sense, it can mean "to feel guilty," "to feel exposed," or "to feel pricked by something (like an accusation or truth)."

반응하지 → "React"

• 반응하다 means "to react" or "to respond," and 지 at the end is often used for emphasis, like saying "they react" in a way that conveys certainty.

좀더 열폭 해봐라

Feel a little more jealous and enraged

좀더 → "A bit more" or "More"

• 좀더 is the combination of 좀 (a bit) and 더 (more). It means "a bit more" or "more" in the sense of requesting an increase in intensity.

열폭 → "Overreact" or "Go overboard with anger"

• 열폭 is a slang term that comes from 열 받다 (to get angry) and 폭발하다 (to explode). It’s short for 열 받다 폭발하다, meaning to get extremely angry, often to the point of overreacting or losing control of emotions. It’s used when someone’s anger or frustration becomes exaggerated or disproportionate.

해봐라 → "Try doing it"

• 해봐라 is a more forceful or informal way of saying 해 봐 (try doing it). The 라 ending adds emphasis, which can make the phrase sound more commanding or challenging.

  • 하다 = to do

  • 해 보다 = to try doing

  • 해봐라 = “Try it.” / “Go ahead and try.”

    • -라 → imperative ending (used to give a command, often in writing or tough speech)

내 발음화질은 4k

My pronunciation is 4k

내 → "My"

• 내 is a possessive pronoun meaning "my." It’s a casual or informal form of "my," commonly used in speech.

발음화질은 → "Pronunciation quality" or "Pronunciation resolution"

• 발음 means "pronunciation," and 화질 refers to "image quality" or "resolution," often used in the context of video or images. Here, 발음화질 is a playful, metaphorical phrase that combines pronunciation with the idea of visual quality, suggesting the speaker's pronunciation is crystal-clear, high-quality, or sharp—like high-resolution video.

• 은 → "Topic marker"

  • 은 is a topic marker used after a noun ending in a consonant. In this case, it’s used to highlight 발음화질 as the topic of the sentence.

4k → "4K"

• 4k refers to 4K resolution, which is a very high-definition image quality standard used in video and television, commonly associated with extremely clear and detailed visuals. Here, it’s used metaphorically to mean that the speaker’s pronunciation is as clear and sharp as 4K video.

I’m dope man

난 비트 위에선 쇼팽

I'm Chopin on the beat

난 → "I am" (informal)

• 난 is a contraction of 나는, which means "I am" or "I (topic)."

비트 → "Beat"

• 비트 is the transliteration of "beat," often referring to the musical beat or rhythm, especially in the context of rap or hip-hop.

위에선 → "On" or "on top of"

• 위 means "top" or "on," and -에선 is a contraction of:

  • -에서 → Location marker, meaning "at" or "from"

  • -는 → Topic marker (in spoken Korean, 에서 + 는 → 에선 for smoother pronunciation)

• So, (비트) 위에선 means "on (the beat)."

쇼팽 → "Chopin"

• 쇼팽 is the Korean transliteration of the famous Polish composer Chopin, known for his classical piano compositions. He is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and intricate musical skill.

난 절대 안 변해 태어날 때부터 난 모태 born rapper,

I'll never change, from birth I was a born rapper

난 → "I am" (informal)

• 난 is the contracted form of 나는, meaning "I am" or "I (subject)." It's casual, often used in everyday conversation.

절대 → "Absolutely" or "Never"

• 절대 means "never" or "absolutely," depending on the context. Here, it’s used to emphasize that the speaker is unwavering in their stance.

안 변해 → "I don’t/won't change"

• 안 is a negation, meaning "not." It’s commonly used in casual speech to indicate that something is not happening or will not happen.

• 변해 is the informal, present tense stem of the verb 변하다 (to change). It’s used to indicate that something changes or will change.

  • 변해 = “(something) changes”

  • 안 변해 = “(something) doesn’t change”

태어날 때부터 → "Since the time (I was) born"

• 태어날 comes from 태어나다 (to be born)

• -을 때 (or -ㄹ 때) is a time modifier and is used to talk about the time when something happens. 때 means "time," and 부터 means "from/since." Together, 때부터 means "since" or "from the time."

  • 태어날 때부터 = “from the time I was born”

모태 → "Womb"

• 모태 means "womb," referring to the idea of being born with certain qualities or characteristics.
  

my attitude는 내 멘토

My attitude is my mentor

my attitude는: -는 is the topic marker in Korean. It's attached to "my attitude" to emphasize it as the topic of the sentence.

내: This means "my" (possessive).

멘토 = “mentor” (same word as in English).

"My attitude is my mentor" could suggest that the speaker relies heavily on their own attitude to guide them, shape their decisions, and influence their path in life. It might also suggest self-motivation, where attitude is the most important teacher or guide to success.

니들이 씹고 물어 뜯어도 난 메멘토

Even if you chew and bite me off, I'm a memento

니들이 → "You guys" (informal, casual speech)

• 니들 = Casual/informal way to say "you all"

• -이 = Subject marker

씹고 → "Chew and"

• 씹다 = To chew (literally) / To talk badly about someone (slang)

• -고 = Connective ending meaning "and"

물어 뜯어도 → "Even if (you) bite and tear"

• 물다 = To bite

• 뜯다 = To tear apart, rip

• 물어 뜯다 = To bite and tear, often used metaphorically for criticizing or attacking someone

• -도 = ending meaning "even if" or "although"

난 → "I (am)"

• 나 = "I" (informal)

• -는 → topic marker, contracted to 난

메멘토 → "Memento"

• Borrowed from Latin/English, meaning "reminder" or "memory"

힙부심 부려봐 내게 느끼는 무력감

Show me your hip hop pride, the feeling of helplessness you feel from me

힙부심 → "Hip-hop pride"

• 힙 (Hip) = Short for "hip-hop"

• 부심 = Short for 자부심 (pride, self-esteem)

• Together, 힙부심 refers to "hip-hop pride" or arrogance about one's status in hip-hop culture.

부려봐 → "Try to show off" / "Try to act like"

• 부리다 = To show, display, or exert (often used with emotions, pride, skills, etc.)

• -어봐 = A casual imperative ending, meaning "try to" or "go ahead and"

내게 → "To me"

• 나 (me/I) + -에게 (to) = 내게 (a contracted form)

느끼는 → "Feeling" (descriptive form)

• 느끼다 = To feel

• -는 = Present participle ending, making it an adjective phrase modifying the next noun

무력감 → "Sense of helplessness"

• 무력 (無力) = Powerlessness, helplessness

• -감 (感) = A suffix meaning "feeling" or "sense"

질투심 숨겨라 니 아이피 다 보일라

Hide your jealousy, your IP might show

질투심 → "Jealousy"

• 질투 (嫉妬) = Jealousy

• -심 (心) = A suffix meaning "heart" or "emotion" (like "feeling of jealousy")

숨겨라 → "Hide it" (imperative command)

• 숨기다 = To hide, conceal

• -어라 = Commanding/imperative ending (casual but firm, often used in rap or strong statements)

니 → "Your" (informal)

• 너 (you) + -의 (possessive, omitted in casual speech) = 니 (your)

아이피 (IP) → "IP address" (borrowed from English)

다 → "All" / "Everything" (emphasizing completeness)

보일라 → "Might get exposed" / "Might be seen"

• 보이다 = To be seen, to be visible (passive form of 보다, "to see")

• -일라 = Casual/slang contraction of -일라나 or -ㄹ라(나), meaning "might" or "will probably"

난 보일러 순식간에 hot해졌지

I'm a boiler, I became hot in an instant

난 → "I (am)"

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

보일러 → "Boiler"

• Borrowed from English, refers to a heating system.

• Metaphorically, it suggests getting heated up quickly, like a boiler warming up rapidly.

순식간에 → "In an instant" / "In a flash"

• 순식간 (瞬息間) = A very short moment

• -에 = Postposition meaning "in" or "within"

hot해졌지 → "Became hot"

• hot = English word "hot" (borrowed, used as slang for being heated, excited, or popular)

• 해지다 = To become (when attached to adjectives, it means a change of state)

• -었지 = Past tense ending with a nuance of explanation or emphasis ("did become hot")

스포일러처럼 너는 안 봐도 뻔해졌지

Like a spoiler, you've become obvious

스포일러처럼 → "Like a spoiler"

• 스포일러 (spoiler) = Borrowed from English, meaning a plot reveal (e.g., movie or show spoilers).

• -처럼 = "Like" or "as if," used for comparisons.

너는 → "You (are)"

• 너 (you) + -는 (topic marker)

안 봐도 → "Even without looking"

• 안 (not) + 보다 (to see/watch) = "Not see"

• -도 = "Even if"

뻔해졌지 → "Became obvious"

• 뻔하다 = To be obvious, predictable

• -어지다 = A grammatical structure meaning "to become"

• -었지 = Past tense with an explanatory or emphasizing nuance ("did become")

속절 없이 멍청한 힙찌질일 고쳐놨지

I fixed the helplessly stupid hip hop

속절 없이 → "Hopelessly" / "Without resistance"

• 속절 (束折) = A literary term meaning "hope" or "means of resistance"

• 없이 = "Without"

• Together, 속절 없이 means "hopelessly" or "inevitably," often implying something happens without a way to stop it.

멍청한 → "Foolish" / "Dumb"

• 멍청하다 = To be foolish, dumb, or clueless

• -한 = Adjective form modifying the next noun

힙찌질이 → "Hip-hop loser" (derogatory slang)

• 힙 (hip) = Short for hip-hop

• 찌질이 = Slang for "loser," "pathetic person"

• 힙찌질이 is a derogatory way to refer to someone who acts like they're into hip-hop but is seen as weak or pathetic in the culture.

고쳐놨지 → "Fixed" / "Changed"

• 고치다 = To fix, correct, or change

• -어 놓다 = To complete an action and leave it in that state

• -았지 = Past tense with an explanatory nuance ("did fix" / "ended up fixing")

근본 없이 커져간 이 가요곈 공존하기엔 빡세

It's hard to coexist in this k pop scene that's grown without principles

근본 없이 → "Without roots" / "Without authenticity"

• 근본 (根本) = Root, foundation, authenticity (often used in hip-hop to refer to cultural or artistic integrity)

• 없이 = "Without"

• 근본 없이 can mean "without authenticity" or "without a solid foundation," implying something grew without real substance.

커져간 → "Kept growing" / "Expanded"

• 커지다 = To grow, get bigger

• -어가다 = A grammatical structure indicating a continuous or progressive action (e.g., "kept getting bigger")

• 커져간 (past tense descriptive form) describes something that has been growing over time.

이 가요곈 → "This music industry"

• 이 = "This"

• 가요계 (歌謠界) = The music industry, specifically referring to K-pop or mainstream Korean music

• -는 → Topic marker (contracted to -ㄴ in speech, making 가요곈)

공존하기엔 → "for coexisting," "in terms of coexisting"

• 공존하다 = to coexist

• -기 = nominalizer (turns verb into a noun: "coexisting")

• -엔 = contraction of -에는, meaning "in terms of" or "for"

빡세 → "Tough" / "Difficult" (slang)

• 빡세다 = A slang term meaning "hard," "challenging," or "intense"

• Used often in casual speech or hip-hop to describe something as very difficult or exhausting. → “It’s too hard” / “It’s brutal”

그러니 랩은 취미로 해

So just rap as a hobby

그러니 → "So" / "Therefore"

• 그러다 = To do something in that way, hence "so" or "therefore" when used to conclude a point.

• -니 = a conjunctive ending that means “so,” “because,” or “since."

• 그러니 = “So then” / “Because of that” / “Since that’s the case”

랩은 → "Rap"

• 랩 = "Rap" (borrowed from English)

• -은 = Topic marker (indicating that rap is the topic of the sentence)

취미로 → "As a hobby"

• 취미 (趣味) = Hobby, interest

• -로 = "As" or "in the manner of"

해 → "Do" (casual form of 하다, to do)

• 하다 = To do

• 해 = Informal, present/imperative conjugation of the verb "to do"

말세야 말세,

The world is going to the dogs,

말세야 말세 → "It's the end times" or "The world is coming to an end"

• 말세 (末世) = End times, the final days, or an era of decline

  • 말 (末) = end

  • 세 (世) = world / generation / era

• -야 = comes from the verb 이다, which means “to be” in Korean. It's the informal or casual version (casual way of saying “is” or “it is”).

  • 말세야 = “It’s the end (of the world)!” / “This world’s going to hell.” / “What is the world coming to?” / “This is the end of days…”

  • This is usually said sarcastically or dramatically, when reacting to something shocking, ridiculous, or disappointing.

찔리면 노력해 what

if you're bothered, try harder what

찔리면 → "If (you) feel pricked (guilty)"

• 찔리다 = To be pricked, stabbed, or feel a sharp pain (often used metaphorically for guilt or discomfort)

• -면 = Conditional ending, meaning "if"

노력해 → "Try" / "Put in effort"

• 노력하다 = To put in effort, to try hard

• -해 = Casual command form of 하다 (to do), used here as an imperative

Please note ♡ : To fully understand the Korean language and its’ use in BTS’ music, a more comprehensive study method is recommended in addition to this content. (There are many great resources online for learning Korean!) 💜 Please credit me & link my site if you use or share any of the translations or content from my site. Thank you. :)

Follow me on YouTube and on TikTok to watch BTS lyric videos and more!

BTS Lyric Translations (@btslyrictranslations)

< Back to Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics (O!RUL8,2?)