English translation and Korean lesson with the lyrics of Born Singer by BTS.
Original song: Born Sinner by J.Cole
Lyrics written by: RM, SUGA, j-hope
Find it here: SoundCloud
Chorus:
I’m a born singer 좀 늦어버린 고백 (I swear)
I’m a born singer. Bit of a late confession. (I swear)
좀 = a bit, a little
늦다 = to be late
-어버리다 / -아버리다 = It’s complicated. Read about it here. (늦어버린)
고백 = a confession
언제나 멀기만 했었던 신기루가 눈 앞에 있어 (여기 있어)
The mirage that was always just off in the distance is before my eyes. (It’s here.)
언제나 = always
멀다 = to be far off, distant
-기만 하다 = only X (멀기만 했었던)
신기루 = a mirage
눈 = an eye
앞 = the front of something, the place in front of something
-에 = at X, on X (앞에)
있다 = to be found, to exist
여기 = here
I’m a born singer 어쩌면 이른 고백
I’m a born singer. Might be a premature confession.
어쩌면 = maybe, perhaps
이르다 = to be premature, to be early
그래도 너무 행복해 I’m good
But regardless, I’m so happy. I’m good.
그래도 = even so, however
너무 = too, so
행복하다 = to be happy
Verse 1:
난생 처음 방탄이란 이름으로 선 무대
The stage that I stood on under the name Bangtan for the first time in my life.
난생 = “for the first time in my life”
처음 = first, the first of something
방탄 = Bangtan, obviously, but also “bulletproof”
이름 = a name
-으로 / -로 = via X, using X (이름으로)
서다 = to stand
무대 = a stage (to perform on, not a stage of life)
삼년 전 첫무대의 마음을 다시 검문해
I look back on how I felt three years ago when I first stood on stage.
삼 = three
년 = a year
전 = before
첫 = first
-의 = indicates possession, like ‘s in English (첫무대의)
마음 = heart/mind (in the abstract, not the anatomical)
다시 = again
검문하다 = to check, to inspect
여전히 대구 촌놈 랩퍼와 다를 게 없었지 but
I’m still no different from that Daegu hillbilly rapper, but
여전히 = still
촌놈 = a hayseed, a hillbilly
-와 / -과 = “and” when followed by another noun, “with” in all other cases (랩퍼와)
다르다 = to be different
게 = a thing
없다 = to not be found, not exist
-지 = adds a nuance of “you know”, or “isn’t it?” (없었지)
아마추어란 단어 위에 프로란 단어를 덧 썼지
I’ve written the word “pro” overtop of the word “amateur”.
단어 = a word
위 = the top of something
덧 = on top of, over
쓰다 = to write
그토록 원하던 무대 랩을 하며 춤 출때 아직 살아 있음을 느껴
When I’m rapping and dancing on the stage that I wanted so badly, I still feel like I’m alive.
그토록 = to that extent, that much
원하다 = to want
하다 = to do
-며 / -으며 = while X (하며)
춤 = a dance, the act of dancing
춤 추다 = to dance
때 = the point in time when something happens
아직 = still
살다 = to live
느끼다 = to feel
피곤하고 고된 출퇴근 따위는 견딜만해 내 사람들이 지켜보니까
I can bear all the going to and from work exhausted and worn out , because my people are looking out for me.
피곤하다 = to be exhausted
고되다 = to be difficult, arduous
출퇴근 = commute, going to and from work
따위 = “and stuff like that”, “etc”
견디다 = to bear, to endure
-ㄹ 만하다 / -을 만하다 = to be worth X (견딜만해)
내 = I, me, my
사람 = a person
-들 = makes a noun plural (사람들이)
지켜보다 = to watch over, take care of
-니까 / -으니까 = because X (지켜보니까)
몸이 아파도 버틸만해 함성들이 밀려오니까
Even though my body is in pain, it’s worth enduring because the cheers are flooding in.
몸 = a body
아프다 = to hurt, to be in pain
-아도 / -어도 = even if X, even though X (아파도)
버티다 = to endure, to withstand
함성 = a cheer
밀려오다 = to flood in, to surge
데뷔 전후의 차의점
The difference between before and after debut?
데뷔 = debut
전 = before
후 = after, since
차의점 = a point of difference
아이돌과 랩퍼 사이 경계에 살아도
Even though I live on the border between idol and rapper,
사이 = between
경계 = a boundary, a border
여전히 내 공책엔 라임이 차 있어
my notebook is still filled with rhymes.
공책 = a notebook
차다 = to be full
-아 있다 / -어 있다 = passive state. IE. Not “the notebook is filling up”, but the notebook is full (차 있어)
대기실과 무대 사이에선 펜을 들고 가사를 써
In the waiting room and between performances, I pick up my pen and write lyrics.
대기실 = a waiting room
펜 = a pen
들다 = to raise, to lift, to pick up, to hold
가사 = lyrics
이런 내가 니들 눈에는 뭐가 달라졌어
What about me has become different, in your eyes?
이렇다 = to be like this
니 = you
뭐 = what
-아지다 / -어지다 = makes an adjective transitional. IE. “to be different” becomes “to become different”, “to be getting more different” (달라졌어)
Damn Shit 난 여전해
Damn. Shit. I’m still the same as ever.
여전하다 = to be the same, to remain as is
내가 변했다고 (what) 가서 전해
You say I’ve changed? (what?) Go tell ’em.
변하다 = to change
가다 = to go
-아서 / -어서 = “X and then” (가서)
전하다 = to convey, to tell, to deliver a message
변함없이 본질을 지켜 I’m still rapperman
As always, I’ve stuck to the core of who I am. I’m still rapperman.
변함 = a change
없이 = without
본질 = essence
지키다 = to protect, to guard
3년전과 다름없이 랩하고 노래해 I’m out
I rap and sing no differently than I did 3 years ago. I’m out.
다름 = a difference
노래하다 = to sing
Chorus:
I’m a born singer 좀 늦어버린 고백 (I swear)
I’m a born singer. Bit of a late confession. (I swear)
언제나 멀기만 했었던 신기루가 눈 앞에 있어 (여기 있어)
The mirage that was always just off in the distance is before my eyes. (It’s here.)
I’m a born singer 어쩌면 이른 고백
I’m a born singer. Might be a premature confession.
그래도 너무 행복해 I’m good
But regardless, I’m so happy. I’m good.
Verse 2:
솔직히 두려웠었어 큰 소린 쳐놨는데 날 증명한다는 게
Honestly, I used to be scared. Of proving myself after talking big,
솔직히 = honestly
두렵다 = to be scared
크다 = to be big
소리 = a noice, a voice
소리 치다 = to yell
나 = I, me
증명하다 = to prove
펜과 책만 알던 애가 이제 세상을 놀래킨다는 게 I dunno
of the idea of this kid who knew nothing but pens and books now astonishing the world. I dunno.
책 = a book
-만 = just X, only X (책만)
알다 = to know
애 = a kid
이제 = now
세상 = a world
놀래키다 = to amaze, to astonish
세상의 기대치와 너무 비대칭 할까봐 두려웠어
I was scared I wouldn’t line up with the world’s expectations.
기대치 = an expectation
비대칭 = asymmetry
-ㄹ까봐 / -을까봐 = “I’m worried that X will happen” (할까봐)
나를 믿어줬던 모든 사람들을 배신하게 될까봐
I was worried I’d end up betraying all those who had believed in me.
믿다 = to trust, to believe in
-어주다 / -아주다 = adds as nuance of “as a favour to” or “for” someone. (믿어줬던)
모든 = every
배신하다 = to betray
-게 되다 = to end up doing X (배신하게 될까봐)
무거운 어깨를 펴고 첫 무대에 올라
I straighten my heavy shoulders and go up onto our first stage.
무겁다 = heavy
어깨 = a shoulder
펴다 = to straighten, to stretch
-고 = X and (펴고)
오르다 = to go up
찰나의 짧은 정적 숨을 골라
In the short moment of silence I steady my breathing.
찰나 = a moment, an instant
짧다 = to be short
정적 = silence
숨 = breath
고르다 = to even, to steady
내가 지켜봤던 사람들이 이젠 날 지켜보고 있네
The people I’d been watching are now watching me.
-고 있다 = makes a verb present progressive. IE: “to be watching” instead of “to watch” (지켜보고 있네)
-네 = adds a nuance of surprise or amazement (있네)
항상 올려봤던 TV속 그들이 지금은 내 밑에
Those who I’d always looked up to on TV are now below me.
항상 = always
올려보다 = to look up to (올리다 = to raise, to lift + 보다 = to look at, to see)
속 = the inside of something
그 = that, those
지금 = now
밑 = the bottom of something, the spot below something
주마등처럼 스칠 틈도 없이 한번뿐인 연극은 시작 돼버렸지
Like a zoetrope, without a chance to slip past, the one-time-only performance began.
주마등 = a zoetrope
-처럼 = like X (주마등처럼)
스치다 = to flit past, to brush past
틈 = a space, an opportunity
-도 = X too, even X (틈도)
한 = one
번 = time (as in “one time”, not as in “what time is it?”)
뿐 = indicates that X is the only one (X being the previous word)
연극 = a performance
시작되다 = to be beginning
3분만에 증발한 내 3년의 피땀
My blood and sweat of three years, evaporated in just three minutes.
분 = a minute
증발하다 = to evaporate
피땀 = 피 is blood, and 땀 is sweat. Used together like this it’s the Korean equivalent of the English expression “blood, sweat, and tears”.
피터지는 마이크와의 기싸움
A bloody battle of wills between the mic and me.
피터지다 = to be bloody, hard-fought(피 = blood + 터지다 = to burst, to explode)
기싸움 = a fight, a battle of wills
몇십초일 뿐이었지만 똑똑히 쏟아내 I’m fuckin’ real
It was just a couple minutes, but in no uncertain terms I pour myself out. I’m fuckin’ real.
몇 = a few
십 = ten
초 = a second
-지만 = X but (뿐이었지만)
똑똑히 = clearly
쏟아내다 = to pour out, to gush
야 임마 니 꿈은 뭐야 나는 랩스타가 되는 거야 Can’t you feel
Hey dude, what’s your dream? Mine is to be a rap star. Can’t you feel?
야 = “Hey!”
임마 = dude, punk
꿈 = a dream
되다 = to become
그리고 내려온 순간 그 함성 yeah I could read your mind
And those cheers the moment I stepped off the stage, yeah, I could read your mind.
그리고 = and
내려오다 = to come down (내리다 = to descend + 오다 = to come)
순간 = a moment
I could read your mind 물음표 대신 미소만
I could read your mind. The question mark is replaced with a smile.
물음표 = a question mark
대신 = instead
미소 = a smile
말없이 멤버들은 그저 내 어깨를 두드려줬어
Wordlessly, the members just patted my shoulder.
말 = words, something one says
그저 = just
두드리다 = to pat, to tap
꼭 엊그제같은데 스무 밤이 흘러가 버렸어
It definitely feels like just a day or two ago, but twenty nights have passed by.
꼭 = without fail, definitely
엊그제 = a day or two ago
같다 = to be like
스무 = twenty
밤 = a night
흐르다 = to flow, to elapse
And let the haters hate on me
걔네가 늘상 해온 일
That’s what they’ve always done.
걔 = that guy
-네 = can be used to make a pronoun plural (걔네)
늘상 = usual
-아 오다 / -어 오다 = to have been doing X up until now (해온)
일 = a thing, a matter
니네가 키보드 놀릴 동안 난 내 꿈들을 채웠지
While you guys were making fun of me on your keyboards, I fulfilled my dreams.
놀리다 = to tease, to make fun of
동안 = during, while
채우다 = to fulfill
썬글라스 hairstyle 왜 욕하는지 알아
Sunglasses, hairstyle, I know why you badmouth me.
왜 = why
욕하다 = to badmouth, to curse at
어쨌든 스무살에 너보다 잘나가는 나야
Anyway, at 20 years old, I’m doing better than you are.
어쨌든 = anyway, at any rate
살 = years old
-보다 = more than X, compared to X (너보다)
잘나가다 = to do well
Chorus:
I’m a born singer 좀 늦어버린 고백 (I swear)
I’m a born singer. Bit of a late confession. (I swear)
언제나 멀기만 했었던 신기루가 눈 앞에 있어 (여기 있어)
The mirage that was always just off in the distance is before my eyes. (It’s here.)
I’m a born singer 어쩌면 이른 고백
I’m a born singer. Might be a premature confession.
그래도 너무 행복해 I’m good
But regardless, I’m so happy. I’m good.
Bridge:
우리가 뛰었던 날 우리 같이 겪었던 날
The days when we ran, the days we went through together,
우리 = we, us, our
뛰다 = to run, to jump
날 = a day
같이 = together
겪다 = to experience, to go through
3년이란 시간 모두 하나가 됐던 마음
In those three years, all of our hearts became one.
시간 = time
모두 = all, every
하나 = one
그렇게 흘린 피땀이 날 적시네
I was drenched in all of that blood and sweat.
그렇게 = like that
적시다 = to be wet
무대가 끝난 뒤 눈물이 번지네
After the performance the tears spill out.
끝나다 = to end
뒤 = after; the back of something
눈물 = tears
번지다 = to spread, to run, to spill over
매순간 마다 자신에게 다짐해 초심을 잃지 않게
With each moment I vow to myself not to forget that first resolve,
매- = every (매순간)
마다 = each
자신 = oneself
-에게 = to X (자신에게)
다짐하다 = to pledge, to promise
초심 = one’s original intention
잃다 = to forget
-지 않다 = to not do X (잃지 않게)
-게 = in order for X to happen (않게)
항상 나답게 처음의 나에게 부끄럽지 않게
to always be me, to never be ashamed to stand before the me that I was at the beginning.
-답다 = to be like X
부끄럽다 = to be ashamed
So we go we go we go
더 위로 위로 위로
Higher, higher, higher.
더 = more
-로 / -으로 = to X, towards X (위로)
Chorus:
I’m a born singer 좀 늦어버린 고백 (I swear)
I’m a born singer. Bit of a late confession. (I swear)
언제나 멀기만 했었던 신기루가 눈 앞에 있어 (여기 있어)
The mirage that was always just off in the distance is before my eyes. (It’s here.)
I’m a born singer 어쩌면 이른 고백
I’m a born singer. Might be a premature confession.
그래도 너무 행복해 I’m good
But regardless, I’m so happy. I’m good.
Yeah yeah yeah
