English translation and Korean lesson with the lyrics of 2학년 (2nd Grade) by BTS, from the 2014 album Dark & Wild.
Produced by: Pdogg
Written by: Supreme Boi, RM, SUGA, j-hope, Pdogg
Find it here: Youtube • Spotify • Apple Music • Amazon Music
Chorus:
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
눈 = an eye
깜짝하다 = to blink
새 = in the meantime, over the course of X (X being the preceding clause)
학년 = grade, school year
되다 = to become
또 방아쇠를 당겨 Cause time flowing fast
I pull the trigger again, cause time flowing fast.
또 = once again
방아쇠 = a trigger
당기다 = to pull something
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
I used to just be chasing dreams, now I burn it up on stage.
꿈 = a dream
-만 = just X, only X (꿈만)
좇다 = to pursue, to seek
내 = I, me, my
이제 = now
무대 = a stage (physical, not like “a stage of life”)
-에 = at X, on X (무대에)
불 = a light, fire
내다 = to occur, to come up, to put
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
Verse 1:
난 별로 달라진 게 없어 baby 가요계 2학년
I haven’t really changed, baby. A second grader in the world of pop music.
나 = I, me
별로 = especially, in particular
다르다 = to be different
-아지다 / -어지다 = makes and adjective transitional. IE: “to be becoming different” instead of “to be different” (달라진)
게/건/걸 = a thing
없다 = to not be found, not exist
가요계 = the music scene/industry
아직 181 baby 마음의 키만 컸으
Still 181, baby. My mind is the only thing that’s gotten taller.
아직 = still, yet
마음 = one’s heart/mind (in the metaphorical, not the anatomical)
-의 = indicates possession, like ‘s in English (마음의)
키 = height
크다 = to be big
나름 학년 1등 Baby 받았어 신인상도
In a way I’m top of the class, baby. I even got the rookie award.
나름 = relatively, in X’s own way
1등 = first rank, first place
받다 = to receive
신인상 = a rookie award
-도 = X too, even X (신인상도)
복도를 돌아다니다 보면 받아 새 후배들 인사도
I get greeted by the first graders when I walk the halls, too.
복도 = a hallway
돌아다니다 = to go around in (돌다 = to turn + 다니다 = to frequent, to go around)
보다 = to see
-면 / -으면 = if/when X (보면)
새 = new
후배 = a person in the same field as you who is less experienced, or a student who is in a lower grade than you
-들 = makes a noun plural (후배들)
인사 = a greeting
이젠 좀 알 것 같애
I feel like I know a little bit now.
좀 = a bit, a little
알다 = to know
것 같다 = to feel like X, to seem like X (X being the preceding clause)
리허설도 능숙하게
I’m good at rehearsals, too.
능숙하다 = to be proficient, skilled
-게 = makes an adjective into an adverb (능숙하게)
1년 후배도 생기고 이젠 좀 나도 나가는 거 같애
There are first graders now too, so now I feel like I’m going somewhere.
년 = a year
생기다 = to form, to come into existence
-고 = X and (생기고)
나가다 = to go out, to depart
Ah 쉿
Ah shhh.
(This is both the onomatopoeic word for “shhh” and a way to spell “shit” in Hangul.)
어… 근데 눈앞에 5 6년차 선배들
Umm… but then I see the 5th and 6th graders.
근데 = but
앞 = the front of something
선배 = a person in the same field as you who is more experienced, or a student who is in a higher grade than you
(안녕하세요!)
(Hello!)
안녕하세요 = the polite way to say hello to someone
그제야 느끼지 아직 멀기만 한 현재를
At that moment I feel it, how far off I still am.
그제야 = only at that moment, not until that moment
느끼다 = to feel
-지 = adds a nuance of “you know” or “don’t you agree?” (느끼지)
멀다 = to be far, distant
현재 = the present
대중 선생님들은 작년까진 부담 안 줘.
Up until last year I didn’t get any pressure from the general public – the teachers.
대중 = the general public
선생님 = a teacher
작년 = last year
-까지 = to X, until X (작년까진)
부담 = pressure, a burden
안 = to not do/be X (X being the accompanying verb/adjective)
주다 = to give
겨우 1학년 신인이라며 괜찮다며
Saying that it was okay, I was barely even a rookie,
겨우 = barely
신인 = a rookie
괜찮다 = to be okay
나를 앉혀놓고 세상이 얼마나 차가운지 몇 가지 과목으로 알려줬지.
they sat me down and told me how cold the world is, and told me about a few subjects.
앉히다 = to sit someone/something down
놓다 = to put down, to place
세상 = a world
얼마나 = how, how much
차갑다 = to be cold
몇 = a few, several
가지 = a kind, a type
과목 = a subject (like a school subject)
-으로 = using X, via X (과목으로)
알리다 = to inform, to tell someone
-어주다 / -아주다 = adds a nuance of “for” or “as a favour to” someone (알려줬지)
선입견, 악플, 이중잣대 욕설 그리고 무관심
Prejudices, cyber bullying, double standards, verbal abuse, and indifference.
선입견 = a prejudice, a preconception
악플 = malicious words, cyber bullying
이중잣대 = a double standard
욕설 = curse word, verbal abuse
그리고 = and
무관심 = indifference, apathy
선생님 여기도 수능이 있나요
Teacher, is there a CSAT on this too?
여기 = here
수능 = short for 수학능력시험 – the standardized Korean College Scholastic Ability Test
있다 = to be found, to exist
1등하면 성공한 가수인가요
If I rank first have I become a successful singer?
성공하다 = to succeed
가수 = a singer
그런 것도 좋지만 음악이 하고 싶어요
Stuff like that is all fine, but I want to make music.
그렇다 = to be like that
좋다 = to be good
-지만 = X but (좋지만)
음악 = music
하다 = to do
-고 싶다 = to want to do X (하고 싶어요)
일단 내 하고픈 대로 할게 날 좀 냅둬여
For now please just leave me alone to do what I really want to do.
일단 = first of all, for now
-고프다 = to be hungry for X , to really want to do X (하고픈)
대로 = in the manner of X, according to X (X being the preceding noun/clause)
냅두다 = to leave someone alone
Pre-Chorus:
Work it out work it out 24시간
Work it out work it out, 24 hours.
시간 = an hour
Burn it up burn it up 불태워 매 순간
Burn it up burn it up, burn it up every moment.
불태우다 = to burn something, set something on fire
매 = every
순간 = a moment
이런저런 고민들은 뒤로
All these concerns of one kind or another behind us.
이런저런 = this and that kind of
고민 = a worry, a concern, something one agonizes over
뒤 = the back of something, behind something
-로 / -으로 = to X, towards X (뒤로)
1년이 넘어가도 우리들은 오늘을 살어
Even after getting past the first year, we live today.
넘어가다 = to go over
-아도 / -어도 = even if X, even though X (넘어가도)
우리 = we, us, our
오늘 = today
살다 = to live
Chorus:
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
또 방아쇠를 당겨 Cause time flowing fast
I pull the trigger again, cause time flowing fast.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
I used to just be chasing dreams, now I burn it up on stage.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
Verse 2:
아 벌써 내가 2학년이 돼 (Oh no!)
Wow, I’ve already become a second grader. (Oh no!)
벌써 = already
눈 깜빡 할 새 시간은 빠르게 (Go go)
In the blink of an eye time quickly goes. (Go go)
깜빡하다 = to flicker, to blink
빠르다 = to be quick
공부도 열심히 놀기도 열심히 Right
Studying hard, playing hard, right.
공부 = studying (noun form)
열심히 = diligently, hardworkingly
놀다 = to play
그렇게 1년이 기적이 이뤄진 것처럼 Bye
A year like that, it’s like a miracle happened. Bye
기적 = a miracle
이루다 = to achieve, to accomplish
-처럼 = like X (것처럼)
근데 어떡해? 괜시리 걱정돼
But what should I do? I’m worried over nothing.
어떡해 = how, “What should I do?”
괜시리 = to no avail, for no real reason (dialect form of 괜스레)
걱정되다 = to be worried
눈칫밥은 덜 먹겠지만 배울 과목은 진수성찬인데
I feel less like an unwanted dinner guest, but there’s a banquet of subjects to learn.
눈칫밥 = dinner with an unwanted guest
덜 = less
먹다 = to eat
배우다 = to learn
진수성차 = a banquet
쉴 때다 싶음 선생님이 말하지 잔소린 빵빵빵
When I want a break, the teacher nags at me, bang bang bang.
쉬다 = to rest
때 = the point in time when something happens
말하다 = to say, to speak
잔소리 = nagging
“수능은 잘 봐야지!”
“You have to do well on the CSAT!”
잘 = well (as in “He sings well”)
-아야지 / -어야지 = to have to do X (봐야지)
무슨 수능은 수능
CSAT? Forget the CSAT.
무슨 = what, which (when someone is talking about X, and you reply derisively “무슨 X?” it means something like, “X? Yeah right!” or “X my ass!”)
선생님 우리도 사람이에요
Teacher, we’re people too.
사람 = a person
수긍해 수긍
Accept that. Accept it.
수긍하다 = to accept
오늘은 다 때려치고 후배들 놀리러나 가 볼까?
Should I just blow off today and tease the younger students or something?
다 = all, everything, everyone
때려치다 = to quit, to blow off
놀리다 = to toy with, tease
오늘 나 PC방으로 잠 못 자
I’m going to the Gaming cafe today, I won’t get any sleep.
(A PC방 is a hangout spot for young people, with computers and comfy gaming chairs to hang out at. You can order food there and game with friends.)
잠 = sleep, the act of sleeping
못 = to not be able to do X (X being the accompanying verb)
자다 = to sleep
Pre-Chorus:
Work it out work it out 24시간
Work it out work it out, 24 hours.
Burn it up burn it up 불태워 매 순간
Burn it up burn it up, burn it up every moment.
이런저런 고민들은 뒤로
All these concerns of one kind or another behind us.
1년이 넘어가도 우리들은 오늘을 살어
Even after getting past the first year, we live today.
Chorus:
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
또 방아쇠를 당겨 Cause time flowing fast.
I pull the trigger again, cause time flowing fast.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
I used to just be chasing dreams, now I burn it up on stage.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
Verse 3:
2년차 랩퍼 점수를 매겨보자면
If I give myself a score as a second year rapper,
점수 = a score
매기다 = to appraise, to grade
다행히 선방은 했어
thank goodness I put up a good defense.
다행히 = thank goodness, what a relief
선방하다 = to defend well
아직은 애송이
I’m still a novice.
애송이 = a novice, a newbie
계속해서 달려와서 고작 2학년이 됐어
I’ve been going hard this whole time, but I’m still no further than second grade.
계속하다 = to continue
-아서 / -어서 = to do X and then… (계속해서)
달리다 = to run
-어오다 / -아오다 = to have been doing X up until now, up until this point (달려와서)
고작 = no more than
이상과 현실 사이의 걸리버
A Gulliver between ideals and reality.
이상 = an ideal
-과 / -와 = “and” when followed by an accompanying noun. Otherwise “with” (이상과)
현실 = reality
사이 = the space between things
눈치 따윈 보지 않어 꼴리는 대로 막 나갈 겨
I don’t care what others thinks, I’m going to exactly as I please.
눈치 = wits, sense
따위 = “etc”, “or anything like that”
-지 않다 = to not do X (보지 않어)
꼴리다 = to be whatever one wants (sort of like the English expression, “whatever turns you on”)
색안경 낀 꼰대들 내 앞으로 줄 맞춰
You old fossils looking at the world through tinted lenses, line up in front of me.
색안경 = coloured glasses
끼다 = to wear (an accessory)
꼰대 = a derogatory word used to refer to someone who is either ancient, stubbornly traditional and old-fashioned in their thinking, or both.
줄 = a line, a queue
맞추다 = to match, to make something align
돌이켜보면 완전 피 말려
When I look back, it makes my blood run cold.
돌이켜보다 = to look back
완전 = completely
피 = blood
말리다 = to be dry
닥쳐 이제 난 2학년
Shut up. I’m a second grader now.
닥치다 = to shut up
이건 새 시대 시발점
This is the beginning of a new era.
이 = this, these
시대 = a generation, an era
시발점 = a starting point
꼭꼭 숨어라 내 잔머리가 다 보일라.
Hide well, my tricks might show.
(This is a reference to a song sung by Korean children in a game of tag. The original version is “꼭꼭 숨이라, 머리카락 보일라” or “Make sure you hide well, your hair might show.”)
꼭 = for sure, “make sure to do X”
숨다 = to hide oneself
잔머리 = two meanings: 1 – baby hairs, 2 – trick
선배든 후배든 선생이든 get the ___ out.
Seniors students, juniors, teachers, get the ___ out.
Chorus:
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
또 방아쇠를 당겨 Cause time flowing fast
I pull the trigger again, cause time flowing fast.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
눈 깜짝할 새 2학년이 돼
In the blink of an eye I’ve become a 2nd grader.
꿈만 좇던 내가 이젠 무대에 불을 내
I used to just be chasing dreams, now I burn it up on stage.
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
(Still everyday) Bang it bang it, bang it bang it
