BTS ‘상남자 (Boy In Luv)’ Lyrics Explained – Learn Korean with BTS
- BTS Lyric Translations
- Apr 22, 2025
- 33 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
BTS (방탄소년단) - '상남자 (Boy In Luv)' Lyrics (With English Translation & Korean Grammar/Vocabulary Notes)
[All] : 되고파 너의 오빠 I want to be your oppa
되고파: want to become / I want to become
되다 (to become) + -고파 (colloquial contraction of -고 싶어 → want to [verb]) (→ 되고파 = 되고 싶어)
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle) → “your”
오빠: older guy / older boyfriend-type (from a female speaker’s POV)
오빠 (older brother, used by females) (Used romantically by women toward an older male they like or are dating; signals affection + older-male nuance)
너의 사랑이 난 너무 고파 I'm so hungry for your love
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle) → “your”
사랑이: love (as the subject)
사랑 (love) + -이 (subject particle attached after a consonant)
난: as for me / I
나 (I, me) + -는 (topic particle) → 나는 (contracted)
너무: too much / so much / very (intensifier expressing excess or strong degree)
고파: am hungry / I crave it
고프다 (to be hungry; to crave/want strongly) + -어 (informal present ending) → 고파(→ colloquial present: “I’m hungry / I want it so badly”)
되고파 너의 오빠 I want to be your oppa
되고파: want to become / I want to become
되다 (to become) + -고파 (colloquial contraction of -고 싶어 → want to [verb]) (→ 되고파 = 되고 싶어)
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle) → “your”
오빠: older guy / older boyfriend-type (from a female speaker’s POV)
오빠 (older brother, used by females) (Used romantically by women toward an older male they like or are dating; signals affection + older-male nuance)
널 갖고 말 거야 두고 봐 I'm going to have you, you'll see
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
갖고 말 거야: I will make you mine / I will end up having you (strong determination)
갖다 (to have, to take, to possess) + -고 말다 (grammar: to end up doing; to do something definitively in the end, often with determination or inevitability) + -ㄹ/을 거야 (future tense / intention in casual speech → “I will / I’m going to”) → 갖고 말 거야 (“I will do it, no matter what / I’ll end up succeeding for sure”)
[V] : 왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
흔드는 건데 흔드는 건데 You're shaking it, shaking it
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
[Jungkook] : 아빠, 아빤 대체 어떻게 Dad, how on earth
아빠: Dad / Daddy (casual, affectionate)
아빤: as for Dad / Dad, you…
아빠 (dad) + -는 (topic particle) → 아빠는 (contracted to 아빤)
대체: seriously / how on earth / what the heck (intensifier in questions)
대체 literally means “substitution,” but idiomatically is an interrogative intensifier expressing frustration, disbelief, or emphasis
어떻게: how (asking method, manner, or way something is done)
"대체 어떻게" = "how on earth" / "how the heck" / "just how"
엄마한테 고백한 건지 did you confess to mom?
엄마한테: to Mom
엄마 (Mom) + -한테 (particle meaning “to someone,” used when an action is directed toward a person)
고백한 건지: whether (he) confessed / if (he) confessed / I wonder if (he) confessed
고백하다 (to confess) + -ㄴ (past modifier → “confessed / the thing that was confessed”) → 고백한 것 (noun clause: “the thing that was confessed”) + -이다 (to be) + -ㄴ지 (whether / if / I wonder → expresses uncertainty / wondering / indirect question) (것인지 → 건지)
편지라도 써야 될런지 Should I write a letter?
편지라도: maybe a letter / even a letter / at least a letter
편지 (letter) + -라도 (particle meaning “at least / even / maybe I should try…”) (Implies settling, hesitation, or choosing a minimal option: “I guess at least a letter…”)
써야 될런지: whether I should write (it) / if I need to write (it) / not sure if I should write
쓰다 (to write) + -아/어 야 되다 (must / have to / need to / should) → 써야 되다 (must write / need to write / should write) + -ㄹ런지 (a soft, colloquial ending that expresses gentle wondering or hesitation, meaning ‘I wonder if…,’ ‘not sure whether…,’ or ‘maybe…’ when the speaker is thinking to themselves or uncertain about an action or situation)
뭔지, 니 앞에서 난 먼지 What is this, I'm dust in front of you
뭔지: what it is / what this even means
뭐 (informal contraction of 무엇 → what) + -인지 (이다 (to be) + -ㄴ지 → indirect question ending meaning “whether it is / what it is / I wonder what…”)
니 앞에서: in front of you
니 (you, informal spoken form of 너) + 앞 (front) + -에서 (location particle → at / in / from)
난 먼지: I am dust
난 (나는 contracted → 나 (I) + -는 (topic particle)) + 먼지 (dust; metaphor for feeling small, insignificant, worthless)
“뭔지, 니 앞에서 난 먼지” → This line is most likely wordplay — hinging on the sound similarity between 뭔지 (what it is) and 먼지 (dust).
[RM] : 괜히 틱틱대고 씩씩대고 징징대게 돼 For no reason, I snap and huff and puff and end up whining
괜히: for no real reason / unnecessarily
틱틱대고: I snap (at people), and…
틱틱대다 (to speak snappily; be irritable or short-tempered) + -고 (connective → “and”)
씩씩대고: I huff and puff, and…
씩씩대다 (to huff and puff in anger or frustration) + -고 (connective → “and”)
징징대게 돼: I end up whining / I end up complaining
징징대다 (to whine; complain; pout) + -게 되다 (grammar pattern meaning “to end up doing)
나는 진지한데 찌질하게 시비나 걸게 돼 I'm serious, but pathetically, I end up picking a fight
나는: as for me / I
나 (I, me) + -는 (topic particle → “as for me”)
진지한데: I’m serious, but… / I’m serious, and (yet)…
진지하다 (to be serious) + -ㄴ데 (connective ending giving contrast, background, or trailing nuance) (Used to imply: “I’m serious, but… / though… / and yet…” — leaves something unsaid)
찌질하게: in a pathetic / petty / lame way
찌질하다 (to be pathetic, petty, lame — slangy, negative) + -게 (adverb form → describes how the action is done)
시비나 걸게 돼: I end up picking a fight (unintentionally), like…
시비 (quarrel, dispute) + -나 (or something / vague softener) + 걸다 (to pick a fight) + -게 되다 (to end up doing)
뭔데 신경 쓰여 다 큰 날 애로 만들어 What are you, that you’re on my mind like this, making a grown adult like me into a child?
뭔데: what is it about you…? / what are you, seriously…?
뭐 (what) + -인데 (이다 + -ㄴ데 → “is but / is and… / background info,” expresses disbelief, frustration, or demanding explanation)
신경 쓰여: you’re on my mind / I can’t stop thinking about you / you bother me (emotionally)
신경 쓰이다 (passive form of 신경 쓰다 → to be cared about / to be on one’s mind / to bother someone) → 쓰여 (present conjugation → “is on my mind,” “I’m affected by you”)
다 큰 날: me, a fully grown adult
다 크다 (to be fully grown / to have grown up completely) → 다 (all / completely / fully) + 크다 (to grow / to be big) → 다 큰 (attributive form → “fully grown,” “all grown up,” describing a noun) + 나 (I/me) + -를 (object particle) → 날 (contracted)
애로 만들어: make me a child / turn me into a kid
애 (child) + -로 (as / into / in the role of) + 만들다 (to make someone become something) → 애로 만들어 = “you make me (into) a child,” implying “you reduce me emotionally / you turn me childish.”
거꾸로 뒤집을껴, 인연을 연인으로 I'll flip this around, turn this connection into a relationship
거꾸로: upside down / in reverse / backward (adverb meaning “backwards,” “in reverse,” “opposite direction”)
뒤집을껴: I’m gonna flip it / I’ll flip it (dialectal future)
뒤집다 (to flip / turn over / reverse) + -ㄹ (future/hypothetical marker) + 껴 (dialectal future ending → equivalent to -거야 in standard Korean) → 뒤집을 거야 (standard: “I’m gonna flip it”)
인연을: the connection / the fate (as the object)
인연 (fate, relationship, destined bond) + -을 (object particle)
연인으로: into lovers / as romantic partners
연인 (lover / romantic partner) + -으로 (particle meaning “into / as / in the role of”) → 인연을 연인으로: turn a connection into lovers / change a fated bond into a romantic relationship. (Indicates transformation: “take this connection and turn it into being lovers.”)
This line uses contrast and wordplay: 인연 (fate) → 연인 (lover). Same syllables, just reversed — both literally and emotionally. It’s a strong declaration of determined love, where the speaker is actively trying to change the course of destiny.
[j-hope] : 대학까지도 너랑 간다면 참 잘 갈 것 같아 If I even went to college with you, I think it’d go really well
대학까지도: even to college / up to college (even that far)
대학 (college / university) + -까지 (up to / until) + -도 (even / also → adds emphasis: “even up to college”)
너랑: with you
너 (you, informal) + -랑 (with → casual speech)
간다면: if (I/we) go
가다 (to go) + -다면 (hypothetical conditional) → “if [someone] goes,” “if it happens that we go”
참: really / truly / so
잘 갈 것 같아: I think it would go well / I think it’d be great
잘 (well / smoothly) + 가다 (to go → idiomatic meaning: to proceed well / to go smoothly / to succeed) + -을 것 같아 (supposition / assumption → “I think,” “it seems like,” “it would probably…”) → Together: “I think it would all go really well,” “I feel like things would turn out great.”
가나다라마바사아 하쿠나마타타! ABCDEFGH Hakuna Matata
가나다라마바사아: the beginning sequence of the Korean alphabet
가 + 나 + 다 + 라 + 마 + 바 + 사 + 아 (Korean alphabet order, used playfully like “A-B-C-D…” to evoke basics, rhythm, or a lighthearted/emotional buildup)
하쿠나마타타!: Hakuna Matata!
Borrowed phrase (from Swahili, popularized by The Lion King) meaning “no worries,” “don’t worry, be happy,” expressing carefree reassurance.
“A-B-C-D-E-F-G… Hakuna Matata!” → (Let it flow — no worries!)
똑같은 프로필 사진 왜 자꾸 확인할까 Why do I keep checking the same profile picture over and over?
똑같은: the same / identical
똑같다 (to be the same, identical) + -은 (attributive adjective ending) → 똑같은 (“same,” modifying a noun)
프로필 사진: profile picture
프로필 (profile) + 사진 (photo / picture)
왜: why (here used rhetorically, expressing frustration or self-critique: “why do I even…?”)
자꾸: repeatedly / again and again / over and over
확인할까: why do I keep checking?
확인하다 (to check / confirm) + -ㄹ까 / -을까 (an ending used to express wondering, hesitation, or suggestion — ranging from “should I/we…?” to “shall we…?” to “I wonder if…?” depending on context)
그렇다고 착각하지마 쉬운 남자 아냐 But don't get me wrong, I'm not an easy guy
그렇다고: even so / just because of that
그렇다 (to be so / to be like that) + -다고 (quotative/nominalizing ending → “that it is so”) → 그렇다고 = “the fact that it’s like that,” used idiomatically as “even so / just because of that”
착각하지마: don’t misunderstand / don’t get the wrong idea
착각하다 (to misunderstand; to be mistaken) + -지 마 (negative imperative → “don’t do…”)
쉬운: easy / simple (describing someone as “easy to get” or “not hard to win over”)
쉽다 (to be easy) + -운 (adjective form → “easy”)
남자: guy / man
아냐: I’m not / it’s not
아니야 (casual form of 아니다 = to not be) → contracted to 아냐
[Vocal line] : 안달 났어 나 안달 났어 I'm so nervous, I'm so nervous
안달 났어: I’m restless / I’m worked up / I’m dying for it / I’m so impatient
안달 (impatience; anxious desire; being worked up) + 나다 (to arise / occur / happen) → 났어 (past tense, casual → “arose / happened,” showing the state has appeared and is affecting the speaker now) → Literally “impatience happened,” idiomatically “I’m all worked up / I’m restless.”
나: I / me (informal first-person pronoun used casually or with close people)
니가 뭔데? 너만 잘났어? Who are you? Are you that great?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
뭔데?: what’s your deal? / who do you think you are?
뭐 (what) + -인데 (이다 + -ㄴ데 → “is but / is and… / background info”) → rhetorical, confrontational nuance
너만: only you / just you
너 (you) + -만 (only / just)
잘났어?: are you so great? / are you that amazing? (sarcastic)
잘나다 (to be outstanding, remarkable — often used ironically in real speech to mock someone’s pride or arrogance) + -았어? (past casual ending) → implies “you think you’re all that?” not genuine praise
왜 나를 자꾸 놀려 놀려 Why do you keep teasing me?
왜: why
나를: me (object)
나 (I / me, informal) + -를 (object particle)
자꾸: repeatedly / over and over (adverb meaning repeated, habitual, or persistent action)
놀려: tease me
놀리다 (to tease / make fun of) + -어 (casual present ending → “tease,” “are teasing”) (“me” is understood from 나를 earlier)
너 이제 그만 hol’ up hol’ up Stop it now, hol' up hol' up
너: you (informal “you,” used with close friends or equals)
이제: now / from now on
그만: stop / enough (adverb meaning “stop it,” “no more,” “that’s enough,” often used as a firm but casual command)
[Jungkook] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[V] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
[Jimin] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[Jin] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
[V] : 왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
왜 내 맘을 흔드는 건데 Why are you shaking my heart?
왜: why
내 맘을: my heart / my feelings (object)
내 (my, informal) + 맘 (short form of 마음 → heart / feelings / emotions) + -을 (object particle)
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
흔드는 건데 흔드는 건데 You're shaking it, shaking it
흔드는 건데: (you're) shaking / stirring (my heart)… / the act of shaking (my heart) is what’s happening… (with a nuance of expecting a response or continuing thought)
흔들다 (to shake / to sway / to stir up) + -는 것 (used to nominalize verb phrases to mean: “doing X” “the act of X” “the thing that X”) → 흔드는 것 (“the act of shaking,” “the thing that shakes,” “what (you’re) doing is shaking”) + 이다 (to be) + -ㄴ데 (a connective ending that gives background information and creates an implied continuation, contrast, or expectation (“…and/but/so…?”))
[Suga] : 겉으론 bad bad girl, 속은 더 bad bad girl On the outside, you're a bad bad girl, but on the inside, you're even more of a bad bad girl
겉으론: on the outside / outwardly
겉 (outside / outward appearance) + -으로 (direction/means particle → “by/through/on the outside”) + -는 (topic particle → contracted to -론 → “as for outwardly”)
속은: inside / internally (as for the inside)
속 (inside / inner feelings) + -은 (topic particle → “as for the inside”)
더: more (adverb meaning “more,” “even more,” “to a greater degree”)
나 같은 남잘 놓치면 후회하게 될 걸 If you miss a guy like me, you'll regret it
나 같은 남잘: a man like me (object)
나 (I / me) + 같은 (like / similar to) + 남자 (man) + -를 (object particle → contracted to 남잘)
놓치면: if you miss / if you lose
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone valuable emotionally or physically) + -면 (conditional ending → “if / when”)
후회하게 될 걸: you’re gonna end up regretting it (you’ll see)
후회하다 (to regret) + -게 되다 (to end up doing / to come to do unintentionally or inevitably) → 후회하게 되다 (to end up regretting) + -(으)ㄹ 걸 (casual predictive / lightly teasing future → “you’ll see,” “I bet,” “you’re gonna…”)
메신저 확인해놓고 누르지 않는 너의 행위 Your habit of checking messenger and not responding
메신저: “Messenger” (like a messaging app)
확인해놓고: after checking (and leaving it that way)
확인하다 (to check / to confirm) + -해놓다 (to do something and leave it as-is; completion with the intention of letting the result stand) + -고 (connective → “and,” “after doing …”) → “after checking and leaving it like that”
누르지 않는: not pressing / the act of not clicking (modifier)
누르다 (to press / click) + -지 않다 (negation → “not do”) + -는 (present-tense verb modifier forming an adjective → “that does not press/click”) → modifies a noun (“the behavior that doesn’t press it”)
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle → “your”)
행위: act / behavior (formal term)
Put together, the sentence literally means: “Your act of checking the messenger and not clicking (on it).” More naturally in English, you might say: “The way you check the message and don’t click on it.” or “You saw the message but didn’t open it—that’s your behavior.”
“1” 자리 없어 짐과 동시에 속만 타지 As soon as the "1" disappears, I get nervous
“1” 자리: the “1” spot / the unread-message indicator (KakaoTalk)
1 (the unread count) + 자리 (seat / position / spot → here: the place where the unread number appears)
*KakaoTalk, the dominant messaging app in Korea, shows the number of people who haven’t read your message yet. In a 1-on-1 chat, this means if you send a message and see a “1”, the other person hasn’t read it yet. When that “1” disappears, it means they’ve read it — but if they don’t reply, it can feel anxiety-inducing, like you’re being ignored.
없어짐과 동시에: at the same time it disappears
없어짐 (disappearance; 없어지다 “to disappear” + -ㅁ nominalizer → “the act of disappearing”) + -과 (with / and → formal linking particle) + 동시에 (at the same time) → “at the same time as its disappearance,” “the moment it disappears” [-과 동시에 (“at the same time as”)]
속만 타지: only my insides burn / it only makes me anxious
속 (inside / inner feelings) + -만 (only) + 타다 (to burn → figuratively: to feel anxious, distressed) + -지 (expressive ending adding emotional commentary → “you know,” “it does,” “really”)
네비게이션이나 살까봐 Maybe I should buy a GPS
네비게이션이나: maybe a GPS / a GPS or something
네비게이션 (navigation / GPS) + -이나 (particle meaning “or something,” “maybe,” suggesting a casual, not-ideal option; implies consideration with slight hesitation or resignation)
살까봐: I might buy it / thinking I might buy it
사다 (to buy) + -ㄹ까봐 (ending meaning “I might …,” “I’m thinking I might …,” or “for fear that I might …” → expresses tentative consideration or a slight worry about doing the action)
[RM] : (빠름 빠름 빠름) (fast fast fast)
(빠름 빠름 빠름): “fast, fast, fast!” (playful repetition)
빠름 (noun form of 빠르다 → “to be fast”)
*Cultural note: this phrase became famous from a commercial jingle by LG U+ (formerly LG Telecom) for their fast service—especially their mobile or internet speed. It became kind of a meme in Korea and is often used humorously to talk about speed or urgency.
[Suga] : 어필하려고 계속 난 To appeal to you I keep on
어필하려고: to try to appeal / in order to show off / trying to make an impression
어필하다 (Konglish verb from “appeal” → to show off, promote oneself, display charm, stand out) + -려고 (intention/purpose ending → “in order to…,” “trying to…”)
계속: continuously / constantly / repeatedly (adverb meaning ongoing, repeated, or sustained action)
난: as for me / I
나 (I / me) + -는 (topic particle) → contracted to 난
[RM] : (아둥 바둥 바둥) (struggling, struggling, struggling)
(아둥 바둥 바둥): struggling and scrambling / frantically trying / desperately hustling
This is an onomatopoeic phrase, mimicking frantic, clumsy, or desperate movement. The base expression is 아둥바둥, which describes struggling hard—like flailing around trying to survive, achieve something, or just get by.
[Suga] : 진심? (I got ‘em) 뒷심? (I got ‘em) Sincereity? (I got 'em) Endurance (I got 'em)
진심: sincerity / true feelings (noun meaning “genuine feeling,” “true intention,” “sincerity”; often refers to what someone really feels inside)
뒷심: endurance / staying power / strength shown at the end
뒷 (back / rear → figuratively “final part” or “later stage”) + 심 (힘 → strength) → literally “back strength,” idiomatically “the strength you show at the end,” referring to perseverance, finishing power, or the ability to push through when things get tough.
내가 유일하게 갖지 못한 건 너의 The only thing I couldn’t have was your…
내가: I (subject)
나 (I / me) + -가 (subject particle)
유일하게: only / solely / uniquely
유일하다 (to be the only one / to be unique) + -게 (adverbial ending → “uniquely / solely / in an only way”)
갖지 못한 건: the thing I couldn’t have
갖다 (to have / to possess) + -지 못하다 (cannot / be unable to) → 갖지 못하다 (to be unable to have) + -ㄴ (past attributive modifier → “that I couldn’t have”) + 것 (thing) + -은 (topic marker) → 것은 → 건 (contracted)
너의: your
너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle → “your”)
[RM] : (아름 아름다움) (beauty beauty beauty)
(아름 아름다움): (your) beautiful beauty / your true, radiant beauty
아름 (root syllable from 아름답다 → “to be beautiful,” repeated for poetic emphasis and rhythm) + 아름다움 (noun form of 아름답다 → beauty) → poetic doubling emphasizing depth, intensity, or resonance of “beauty”
이 내가 어떻게 변하면 되겠니, hol’ up How can I change? hol' up
이: this
내가: I (subject)
나 (I / me) + -가 (subject particle) → 이 내가: “this me,” “me as I am right now”
어떻게: how / in what way (adverb meaning “how,” “in what manner”)
변하면: if I change / when I change
변하다 (to change / to become) + -면 (conditional ending → “if / when”)
되겠니: would it be okay? / would that work? / would you accept that?
되다 (to become / to work / to be acceptable) + -겠니 (a casual question ending formed from –겠– (speaker’s conjecture / intention / soft assumption) + –니 (casual question ending), that asks about likelihood or intention based on the speaker’s assumption, often carrying emotional nuance rather than a neutral question→ “would it…?”)
밀당? 어장? 그런 거 난 잘 몰러 Playing hard to get? I don't know stuff like that well
밀당: push and pull (in relationships)
밀다 (to push) + -고 (connective ending meaning “and / then,” linking actions in sequence or alternation) + 당기다 (to pull) + -기 (nominalizer turning the verb phrase into an action noun meaning "pulling”) → 밀고 당기기 (pushing and pulling → romantic strategy of playing hard-to-get, teasing, or emotional back-and-forth) → 밀당 (noun shortened/contracted from 밀고 당기기 [밀 from 밀고 + 당 from 당기기]; used as a colloquial noun to refer to a romantic interaction style involving emotional back-and-forth, teasing, or playing hard to get)
어장: “fish tank” (metaphor for keeping people around)
어장 (fishery / fishing ground / fish tank → metaphor for a pool of people) + 관리하다 (to manage, to oversee, to maintain) → 어장관리 (noun meaning “fish-tank management,” used metaphorically to describe the act of stringing people along, keeping multiple romantic interests “on the hook”) [어장관리 = treating people like fish in a tank — keeping them interested, fed just enough, but never letting them go or choosing one.]
그런 거: that kind of thing
그런 (that kind of / such) + 거 (thing → contraction of 것)
난: as for me / I
나 (I / me) + -는 (topic particle) → contracted to 난
잘 몰러: don’t really know
잘 (really / well → when used with negation = “not really”) + 모르다 (to not know) → 몰라 (I don’t know) → 몰러 (colloquial/slurred pronunciation)
대신 아프면 119 말고 날 불러 If you’re hurt, don’t call 119 — call me instead
대신: instead / in place of
아프면: if you’re hurt / if you feel pain
아프다 (to be sick / hurt / be in pain) + -면 (conditional → “if / when”)
119: emergency number in Korea (Korean emergency services; equivalent to 911 in the U.S.)
말고: not that, but… / instead of…
말다 (to stop / to not do) + -고 (connective form) → 말고 (used after a noun to mean “not X but…” / “not A, but B instead”) [Noun + 말고 + Noun / clause = “don’t do A, and (do something else)”]
날: me (object)
나 (I / me) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 날
불러: call me
부르다 (to call / address someone) + -어 (informal present ending → “call”)
니가 울라면 울어, If you tell me to cry, I'll cry
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
울라면: if you tell me to cry / if you say “cry”
울다 (to cry) + -라면 (a contracted form of –라고 하면 used with quoted imperatives, meaning “if (someone) tells/commands (someone) to do …")
울어: I cry / I will cry
울다 (to cry) + -어 (informal present ending → “cry / will cry”)
웃으라면 웃어, If you tell me to smile, I'll smile
웃으라면: if you say “smile” / if you tell me to smile
웃다 (to smile / to laugh) + -(으)라면 (a contracted form of –라고 하면 used with quoted imperatives, meaning “if (someone) tells/commands (someone) to do …")
웃어: I smile / I will smile
웃다 (to smile / laugh) + -어 (informal present ending → “smile,” “I smile,” “I’ll smile” depending on context)
구르라면 굴러 If you tell me to roll on the ground, I'll roll
구르라면: if you say “roll” / if you tell me to roll
구르다 (to roll) + -(으)라면 (a contracted form of –라고 하면 used with quoted imperatives, meaning “if (someone) tells/commands (someone) to do …")
굴러: I roll / I will roll
구르다 (to roll) + -어 (informal present ending → “roll,” “I roll,” “I’ll roll” depending on context) (Note: 구르다 → 굴러 because of stem vowel simplification)
These lines are rhythmic, devoted, and kind of playful — RM is saying, “I’ll do whatever you tell me to, no hesitation.”
[Vocal line] : 안달 났어 나 안달 났어 I'm so nervous, I'm so nervous
안달 났어: I’m restless / I’m worked up / I’m dying for it / I’m so impatient
안달 (impatience; anxious desire; being worked up) + 나다 (to arise / occur / happen) → 났어 (past tense, casual → “arose / happened,” showing the state has appeared and is affecting the speaker now) → Literally “impatience happened,” idiomatically “I’m all worked up / I’m restless.”
나: I / me (informal first-person pronoun used casually or with close people)
니가 뭔데? 너만 잘났어? Who are you? Are you that great?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
뭔데?: what’s your deal? / who do you think you are?
뭐 (what) + -인데 (이다 + -ㄴ데 → “is but / is and… / background info”) → rhetorical, confrontational nuance
너만: only you / just you
너 (you) + -만 (only / just)
잘났어?: are you so great? / are you that amazing? (sarcastic)
잘나다 (to be outstanding, remarkable — often used ironically in real speech to mock someone’s pride or arrogance) + -았어? (past casual ending) → implies “you think you’re all that?” not genuine praise
왜 나를 자꾸 놀려 놀려 Why do you keep teasing me?
왜: why
나를: me (object)
나 (I / me, informal) + -를 (object particle)
자꾸: repeatedly / over and over (adverb meaning repeated, habitual, or persistent action)
놀려: tease me
놀리다 (to tease / make fun of) + -어 (casual present ending → “tease,” “are teasing”) (“me” is understood from 나를 earlier)
너 이제 그만 hol’ up hol’ up Stop it now, hol' up hol' up
너: you (informal “you,” used with close friends or equals)
이제: now / from now on
그만: stop / enough (adverb meaning “stop it,” “no more,” “that’s enough,” often used as a firm but casual command)
[Jungkook] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[V] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
[Jimin] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[Jin] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
[Jungkook] : 되고파 너의 오빠 I want to be your oppa
되고파: want to become / I want to become
되다 (to become) + -고파 (colloquial contraction of -고 싶어 → want to [verb]) (→ 되고파 = 되고 싶어)
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle) → “your”
오빠: older guy / older boyfriend-type (from a female speaker’s POV)
오빠 (older brother, used by females) (Used romantically by women toward an older male they like or are dating; signals affection + older-male nuance)
너를 향한 나의 마음을 왜 몰라 Why don’t you know my feelings for you?
너를: you (object)
너 (you) + -를 (object particle)
향한: toward / directed at
향하다 (to face / to be directed toward) + -ㄴ (attributive modifier → “that is directed toward”)
나의: my
나 (I / me) + -의 (possessive particle → “my”)
마음을: heart / feelings (object)
마음 (heart / mind / feelings) + -을 (object particle)
→ 너를 향한 나의 마음을: my heart toward you / my feelings directed at you
너를 (you, object) + 향한 (directed toward) + 나의 (my) + 마음을 (heart, object)
왜: why
몰라: (you) don’t know
모르다 (to not know) + -아 (informal present ending → 몰라)
[Jin] : 나를 모른 척해도 차가운 척해도 Even if you pretend you don't know me, even if you pretend to be cold,
나를: me (object)
나 (I / me) + -를 (object particle)
모른 척해도: even if you pretend not to know
모르다 (to not know) + -ㄴ 척하다 (to pretend to ___; “pretend as if (one) did/does”) → 모른 척하다 (to pretend not to know) + -아/어도 (even if / though) → “even if you act like you don’t know”
차가운 척해도: even if you pretend to be cold
차갑다 (to be cold — emotionally or physically) + -(으)ㄴ 척하다 (to pretend to ___; “pretend as if (one) did/does”) + -아/어도 (even if / though) → “even if you pretend to be cold”
*Grammar note: When a ㅂ-ending adjective meets a vowel-starting ending,
→ ㅂ drops + 우 is added. 차갑다 → drop ㅂ → add 우 → 차가우 + ㄴ → 차가운.
[Jimin] : 널 밀어내진 못하겠어 I can't push you away
널: you (object)
너 (you) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
밀어내진 못하겠어: I can’t push you away / I don’t think I can push you away
밀어내다 (to push away / push out) + -지는 못하다 (emphatic negation → “cannot possibly,” “am not able to,” stronger than just -지 못하다) → 밀어내지는 못하다 → contracted to 밀어내진 못하다 + -겠어 (soft future / internal intention / emotional guess → “I don’t think I can,” “I won’t be able to”) → Overall nuance: “I just can’t push you away, no matter what.” / “I don’t think I could ever push you away.”
[Jin] : 되고파 너의 오빠 I want to be your oppa
되고파: want to become / I want to become
되다 (to become) + -고파 (colloquial contraction of -고 싶어 → want to [verb]) (→ 되고파 = 되고 싶어)
너의: your
너 (you, informal) + -의 (possessive particle) → “your”
오빠: older guy / older boyfriend-type (from a female speaker’s POV)
오빠 (older brother, used by females) (Used romantically by women toward an older male they like or are dating; signals affection + older-male nuance)
너의 남자가 될 거야 두고봐 I'll be your man, you'll see
너의: your
너 (you) + -의 (possessive particle → “your”)
남자가: man (as the subject)
남자 (man) + -가 (subject particle)
될 거야: will become
되다 (to become) + -ㄹ 거야 (future tense, casual → “will become / I will become”)
두고봐: just watch / wait and see
두다 (to place / to leave something as-is) + -고 (connective → “and then…”) + 보다 (to see / to watch) → 두고보다 (to leave something and watch how it unfolds; “watch and see what happens”) → 두고봐 (casual imperative → “just wait and see,” “you’ll see”)
[Jimin, Jungkook] : 나의 마음이 네게 닿도록 So that my heart reaches you
나의: my
나 (I / me) + -의 (possessive particle → “my”)
마음이: heart / feelings (subject)
마음 (heart, feelings, mind) + -이 (subject particle)
네게: to you
너 (you) + -에게 (to someone) → contracted to 네게
닿도록: so that it reaches / in a way that it touches
닿다 (to reach / to touch — emotionally or physically) + -도록 (grammar meaning “so that / in order to / to the point that”)
지금 달려갈 거야 I'm going to run to you now
지금: now
달려갈 거야: I’m going to run (to you) / I’ll run toward you
달리다 (to run) + -어 가다 (auxiliary verb meaning “go while doing / go and then…”, showing movement away from the speaker toward a destination) → 달려가다 (to run toward someone/something) + -ㄹ 거야 (future tense, casual → 달려갈 거야 = “I’m going to run (to you),” “I will run toward you.”)
[Jungkook] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[V] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
[Jimin] : 꽉 잡아 날 덮치기 전에 Hold on tight to me before I pounce on you
꽉 잡아: hold me tight / grab me firmly
꽉 (tightly / firmly) + 잡다 (to grab / to hold) + -아 (informal imperative → “hold / grab”)
날: me (object)
날 (contraction of 나를 → 나 “me” + -를 object particle)
덮치기 전에: before I pounce on you (figuratively) / before I come at you intensely
덮치다 (to pounce on / to attack; in romantic or dramatic contexts → to move toward someone suddenly with intense, passionate energy — playful, not violent) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing → “the act of ___”) + 전에 (“before”) → “before (verb-ing)”)
내 맘이 널 놓치기 전에 Before my heart lets you go
내 맘이: my heart / my feelings (as the subject)
내 (my, informal possessive) + 맘 (contraction of 마음 → heart / mind / emotions) + -이 (subject particle)
널: you (object)
너 (you, informal) + -를 (object particle) → contracted to 널
놓치기 전에: before I lose you / before I miss you
놓치다 (to miss; to lose someone or something emotionally or physically) + -기 전에 (grammar form meaning “before doing…,” from -기 (nounizing) + 전에 (“before”))
“Before my heart loses you.” / “Before I lose you in my heart.”
[Jin] : Say what you want
Say what you want
니가 진짜로 원하는 게 뭐야 What do you really want?
니가: you (subject)
너 (you) + -가 (subject particle) (니가 comes from a natural spoken contraction where 너 + 가 becomes 니가 for smoother pronunciation in everyday Korean.)
진짜로: really / truly
진짜 (real / genuine) + -로 (adverbial particle → turns it into “really,” “for real”)
원하는 게: the thing you want / what you want
원하다 (to want) + -는 (present attributive → “wanting / that you want”) + 게 (contraction of 것이 → “thing,” subject form)
뭐야: what is it?
뭐 (what) + -야 (informal copula → “is,” casual)
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. :)
BTS Lyric Translations (@btslyrictranslations)
Comments