Learn Korean with BTS Lyrics: 'Coffee' Grammar & Vocabulary Explained

Coffee - Song by BTS (Spotify) | Coffee - Song by BTS (Apple Music)

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

[Jungkook] : Baby baby 그대는 Caramel Macchiato

Baby baby you’re Caramel Macchiato

그대는 → “as for you” or simply “you are”

• 그대 – A poetic/formal way to say “you.” Common in lyrics, poetry, and older speech styles. Less commonly used in casual spoken Korean.

• -는 – Topic marker

  • It marks “그대” (you) as the topic of the sentence.

  • It suggests that what follows is a statement about “you.”

  
  

So, 그대는 means “as for you” or simply “you are” in this context. The (이다) (“to be”) is often omitted in casual speech and lyrics but is implied.

여전히 내 입가엔 그대 향기 달콤해

Your scent is still sweet around my lips

여전히 → "Still" or "As always"

• 여전히 means "still" or "as always," indicating that something has not changed or remains the same over time.

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

입가엔 → "By my lips"

• The word 입가엔 is a shortened form of 입가에는.

• 입가 means "lips" or "around the mouth" (입 = mouth, 가 = edge, vicinity).

• -엔 is a contracted form of -에는 (-에 = at, on; -는 = topic marker). So, 입가엔 means "by my lips" or "around my lips."

그대 → "You" (formal)

• 그대 is a formal or poetic way of saying "you," often used in songs or poetry.

향기 → "Fragrance" or "Scent"

달콤해 → "Sweet"

• 달콤하다 means "to be sweet," and 달콤해 is the informal present form, which means "is sweet."

Baby baby tonight

Yeah

[RM] : Girl 나 데뷔했어, 이 말 한 마디면 되겠지?

Girl, I debuted. That’s all I need to say, right?

나 → "I" or "Me"

• 나 means "I" or "me," used informally.

데뷔했어 → "I debuted"

• 데뷔하다 means "to debut," and 데뷔했어 is the past tense informal form, meaning "I debuted" or "I made my debut."

이 → "This"

말 → "Word" or "Talk"

• 말 means "word" or "speech." (이 말 → “This word” or “These words”)

한 → "One"

• 한 means "one," used here to indicate a single thing or item. (한 마디 → “One phrase” or “One word”)

마디면 → "If it’s a word"

• 마디 is a counting unit (a unit of words, a section, a phrase) used for words or phrases, similar to "a phrase" or "a word," and -면 is the conditional form meaning "if." So, 마디면 means "if it’s a word" or "if it’s a phrase." (In this context, “if (I) say this one phrase/word.”) 이 말 introduces what is being said (the content) while 한 마디 specifies the amount (one single phrase).

되겠지? → "It should be enough, right?" or "It’s enough, isn’t it?"

• 되다 means "to become" or "to be enough," and -겠지 implies assumption or expectation, meaning "it should" or "it will likely be." The ? adds a questioning tone, asking for confirmation or validation.

얼마나 성공할지 세상이랑 내기했어

I made a bet with the world on how successful I would be

얼마나 → "How much" or "How"

• 얼마나 is used to ask about the extent or degree of something, like "how much" or "how."

성공할지 → “whether (someone) will succeed”

• 성공하다 means "to succeed," and 성공할 is the future or descriptive form of the verb, meaning "to succeed" in the future.

• -지 → A grammatical particle that expresses uncertainty, often meaning “whether” or “if”

세상이랑 → "With the world"

• 세상 means "world," and -이랑 is a casual way of saying "with." So, 세상이랑 means "with the world."

내기했어 → "Bet" or "Made a bet"

• 내기하다 means "to bet," and 내기했어 is the past tense informal form, meaning "I bet" or "I made a bet."

네게만 보여주던 내 반달 눈웃음,

My smile with half moon eyes that I only showed you

네게만 → "Only to you"

• 네 means "you" (informal), -게 is the dative particle meaning "to," and -만 means "only." So 네게만 means "only to you."

보여주던 → "Used to show"

• 보여주다 means "to show" or "to display," and -던 is a past tense modifier that expresses something that was done repeatedly in the past. So, 보여주던 means "used to show."

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

반달 → "Half-moon"

• 반달 means "half-moon," often used to describe the shape of someone's smile or eyes when they smile.

눈웃음 → "Eye smile"

• 눈웃음 is a compound word: 눈 means "eye" and 웃음 means "smile." Together, 반달 눈웃음 refers to the smile that makes the eyes squint or form a shape like a crescent or half-moon, which is often considered a cute or charming expression.

요즘 다시 짓고 다녀

These days I’ve been wearing it again

요즘 → "These days" or "Recently"

• 요즘 refers to the current time period or "these days," often used when talking about things that are happening lately or changes in recent times.

다시 → "Again" or "Once more"

• 다시 means "again" or "once more," indicating repetition or doing something again.

짓고 → "Building" or "Making"

• 짓다 (“to build,” “to make,” “to compose,” but also “to act (a certain way)”) in the 고 form (connecting to the next action). Here, 짓다 refers to 표정을 짓다 (to make an expression). So, the speaker is saying that they used to show their eye smile only to one person, but now they’re smiling like that again in general.

다녀 → "Go around" or "Go about" (casual)

• 다니다 means "to go around" or "to frequent" (often in a regular, habitual way), and -녀 is the casual present ending of the verb form, used to express action in an informal context.

내 팬들이 궁금해해줘

My fans are curious

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

팬들이 → "My fans"

• 팬들 means "fans," and -이 is a subject particle, while -들 pluralizes the noun, meaning "fans." So, 팬들이 means "my fans."

궁금해해줘 → "Wonder" or "Are curious"

• 궁금해하다 → “To be curious (about someone/something)” (used when referring to others’ curiosity)

• -줘 → Can either soften the statement or act as a request (“please”)

아 그리고 잘 안 마셔 마끼아또

Ah and I don’t really drink macchiatos

아 → "Ah" or "Oh"

• 아 is an interjection used to get attention or express realization, like "ah" or "oh."

그리고 → "And" or "Also"

• 그리고 means "and" or "also," used to connect ideas or add information.

잘 안 마셔 → “I don’t drink much” or “I don’t drink often.”

• 잘 → “Well” or “often” (in this case, it means “often” or “frequently”)

• 안 → “Don’t” (negation)

  • 안 is a negation particle, meaning "not [verb]" or "don't [verb]."

• 마셔 → "Drink" (casual)

  • 마시다 means "to drink," and -어 (마셔) is the casual present conjugation, meaning "drink" in this context.

  • So, “잘 안 마셔” suggests that the speaker rarely or infrequently drinks something.

마끼아또 → "Macchiato"

• 마끼아또 is the Korean way of spelling "macchiato," an espresso-based coffee drink with a small amount of milk.

알잖아 너 땜에 습관이 된 아메리카노

You know, drinking Americanos became a habit because of you

알잖아 → "You know"

• 알다 means "to know," and 잖아 is a casual ending used to confirm something the speaker believes the listener already knows or should know. So, 알잖아 means "you know."

너 → "You"

• 너 means "you" in an informal tone.

땜에 → "Because of"

• 땜에 is a colloquial, informal shortening of 때문에, which means "because of" or "due to." It shows the reason for something.

습관이 → "Habit"

• 습관 means "habit," and -이 is the subject particle, meaning "habit" is the subject of the sentence.

된 → "Became" (past form)

• 되다 means "to become," and -ㄴ is the past tense modifier. So, 된 means "became."

아메리카노 → "Americano"

• 아메리카노 refers to the coffee drink "Americano," which is made by diluting espresso with hot water.

사귈 땐 이게 무슨 맛인가 싶었었는데

When we were dating, I wondered what taste it was

사귈 땐 → "when dating" or "when in a relationship"

• 사귀다 means "to date" or "to be in a relationship"

• -ㄹ/을 때(는) is a common grammar structure used to indicate “when (something happens)” or “during the time (something happens)

  • The word 때 means "time" or "when something happens." By attaching -ㄹ 때 to a verb, you indicate that something happens during a particular time period.

  • 땐 is a shortened form of 때는, which means "when" or "at the time of." The topic marker "-는" (which adds emphasis or contrast) is shortened to "-ㄴ." "때" and "는" blend together, becoming "땐." The full form of this phrase would be 사귈 때는, but in casual speech, 때는 is often shortened to 땐 for smoother pronunciation. This happens frequently in spoken Korean.

이게 → "This" (subject)

• 이게 is a contraction of "이것이", which means "this (thing) + subject marker (-이)" in Korean.

  • 이것 (this thing) → Refers to something close to the speaker.

  • -이 (subject marker) → Used when "this" is the subject of the sentence.

  • 이것이 → 이게 (spoken contraction) → Used in natural, conversational Korean.

무슨 → "What kind of"

• 무슨 means "what kind of" or "what sort of," used to ask about the type or nature of something.

맛인가 → "Taste is?"

• 맛 means "taste," and -인가 is a question-like ending that makes the sentence feel uncertain or reflective. It's like asking "What kind of taste is this?" or "What does this taste like?"

싶었었는데 → "I wondered"

• 싶다 means "to want" or "to wish," and -었었는데 is a past tense modifier that shows the speaker's reflective feeling or wonderment about something in the past. So, 싶었었는데 expresses "I wondered" or "I wasn’t sure about."

차갑고 뒷맛은 씁쓸한 게 니가 없으니까

There’s a cold and bitter aftertaste because you’re not here

차갑고 → "Cold and"

• 차갑다 means "cold," and -고 is the connective form that links verbs/adjectives in a sequence, so 차갑고 means "cold and."

뒷맛은 → "The aftertaste"

• 뒷맛 means "aftertaste," or the taste left after something is consumed. The -은 is a topic particle, which emphasizes that it’s specifically the aftertaste that’s being discussed.

씁쓸한 게 → "Bitter (thing/fact)"

• 씁쓸하다 means "bitter" or "sour," typically describing a taste or feeling that’s somewhat unpleasant. 씁쓸한 is the adjective form, modifying a noun (meaning "bitter, bittersweet, slightly unpleasant").

• 게 (contraction of 것이)

  • 것 (thing, fact) + 이 (subject marker) → 게 (spoken contraction).

  • It refers to a situation or thing in general.

니가 → "You" (subject)

• 니가 is an informal form of "you" with the subject particle -가.

없으니까 → "Because you’re not here"

• 없다 means "to not exist" or "to be absent," and -으니까 is a form that gives a reason or cause, so 없으니까means "because [you] are not here."

이젠 조금 이해가 돼 girl

I understand it a little now girl

이젠 → "Now" or "Now, at this point"

• 이젠 is a colloquial contracted form of 이제는, meaning "now," used when talking about the present time or after some change has occurred. It emphasizes that it’s now the case.

조금 → "A little"

• 조금 means "a little" or "a bit," referring to a small amount or degree.

이해가 → "Understanding"

• 이해 means "understanding," and -가 is the subject particle, indicating that 이해 is the subject of the sentence.

돼 → "Becomes" (casual)

• 되다 means "to become," and -돼 is the casual form of the verb, meaning "becomes" or "has become."

이렇게 다들 익숙해져가는 거라면

If this is how everyone gets used to it

이렇게 → "Like this" or "In this way"

• 이렇게 means "like this" or "in this way," referring to how something is happening or how things are at the moment.

다들 → "Everyone"

• 다들 is a colloquial way of saying 다 (everyone) with the particle -들, which pluralizes the word. So, 다들 means "everyone" or "all people."

익숙해져가는 거라면 → "If it's how [everyone] gets used to it..."

• 익숙해져가는 → "Becoming familiar with" or "Gradually getting used to"

  • 익숙하다 = to be familiar, to be used to

  • 익숙해지다 = to become familiar, to get used to

  • 익숙해져가다 = to be in the process of getting used to something (-아/어져가다 indicates a gradual process)

  • 익숙해져가는 = The adjective form modifying 거

• 거라면 → If it is (something)

  • 거 = Casual form of 것 (thing, fact)

  • -(이)라면 = If it is... (conditional)

후회 많을 불장난을 다시 선택하겠어 나는

I’d choose to play with fire even if it would be full of regrets

후회 → "Regret"

• 후회 means "regret," referring to a feeling of sorrow or remorse about past actions.

많을 → "Many" (modifier for the following noun)

• 많다 means "many" or "a lot," and -을 is a modifier for the noun it describes. So, 많을 means "many" (as in "many regrets").

불장난을 → "Playing with fire"

• 불장난 is an expression that means "playing with fire," usually referring to risky or reckless behavior that could lead to bad consequences. -을 is an object particle, showing that 불장난 is the object of the sentence.

다시 → "Again"

• 다시 means "again," indicating repetition or a return to something.

선택하겠어 → "I will choose"

• 선택하다 means "to choose," and -겠어 is a verb ending used to express the speaker's intention or decision, meaning "I will" or "I am going to."

나는 → "I" (emphasized subject)

• 나 means "I," and -는 is a topic marker, adding emphasis to the subject of the sentence.

우리의 야속하던 약속들, 수많던 잘못들과

Our bitter promises, our many mistakes,

우리의 → "Our"

• 우리 means "we" or "our," and -의 is a possessive particle, making it "our."

야속하던 → "Cruel" or "Heartless" (past tense)

• 야속하다 means "cruel" or "heartless," describing someone who is cold or unkind. -던 is a past tense modifier, indicating that something was that way in the past, so 야속하던 means "cruel" or "heartless" in the past.

약속들 → "Promises"

• 약속 means "promise," and -들 is the plural form, indicating multiple promises.

수많던 → "Countless" or "Numerous" (past tense)

• 수많다 means "countless" or "numerous," and -던 is used again here to modify the noun in a past context, meaning "countless" or "many" in the past.

잘못들과 → "Mistakes" or "Wrongs" (and others)

• 잘못 means "mistake" or "wrong," and -들 again makes it plural, while -과 is a particle that connects things together, similar to "and." So, 잘못들과 means "mistakes and others" or "wrongs and [other things]."

또 다른 잘못들 사이 놓인 말 못할 잘잘못들

The unspeakable mistakes that lie in between

또 다른 → "Another"

• 또 means "again" or "another," and 다른 means "different" or "other." So, 또 다른 means "another" or "other."

잘못들 → "Mistakes" (plural)

• 잘못 means "mistake" or "wrong," and -들 makes it plural, so 잘못들 means "mistakes" or "wrongs."

사이 → "Between" or "Amid"

• 사이 means "between" or "amid," referring to the space or relationship between things.

놓인 → "Placed" or "Put"

• 놓이다 means "to be placed" or "to be put," and -인 is a form of the verb that indicates something that has been placed or positioned. So, 놓인 means "placed" or "put."

말 못할 → "Unspoken" or "Indescribable"

• 말 means "words," and 못할 is derived from 못하다, meaning "cannot do." Together, 말 못할 means "something that cannot be spoken" or "indescribable."

잘잘못들 → "Mistakes and rights" (plural)

• 잘잘못 is a combination of 잘 (right) and 잘못 (wrong), meaning "rights and wrongs" or "mistakes and virtues." The -들 pluralizes it, so 잘잘못들 means "mistakes and rights" or "wrongs and rights."

맛볼수록 쓰기만 했던 추억이 담긴 잔

A cup full of memories that only got more bitter as I tasted it

맛볼수록 → "The more I taste" or "The more I experience"

• 맛보다 means "to taste" or "to experience the flavor," and -을수록 is a form used to indicate that something increases or intensifies as the action happens. So, 맛볼수록 means "the more I taste" or "the more I experience."

쓰기만 했던 → "Only tasted bitter"

• 쓰다, in this context, means "to be bitter," and -기만 하다 means to do only (something). 했던 (하다 → 했던) is a past attributive form, describing a past repeated action or habit. So, 쓰기만 했던 means "only tasted bitter" or "was just bitter."

추억이 → "Memories" (subject)

• 추억 means "memory," and -이 is the subject particle, indicating that 추억 is the subject of the sentence.

담긴 → "Filled with" or "Contained"

• 담기다 means "to be filled with" or "to be contained," and -인 is a modifier that describes the noun. So, 담긴means "filled with" or "containing."

잔 → "Cup" or "Glass"

• 잔 means "cup" or "glass," typically referring to a drinking vessel.

왜 들이키게 되는지 알 것 같지만

I think I know why I keep drinking it

왜 → "Why"

• 왜 means "why," asking for a reason or explanation.

들이키게 → "To gulp" or "To drink in one go"

• 들이키다 means "to gulp down" or "to drink in large amounts quickly," often used when someone drinks something hastily or in one go. The -게 suffix here turns the verb into an adverb, indicating the manner in which the action is done.

되는지 → "Becoming" or "Happening"

• 되다 means "to become" or "to happen," and -는지 is used for indirect questions or to refer to an unknown or unclear reason/cause (in this case, why it happens).

알 것 같지만 → I think I understand, but...

• 알 것 같다 = to think I know, to think I understand

  • 알다 means "to know," -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is a grammatical structure meaning "I think" or "it seems like" (future tense).

• -지만 = but (contrasting two clauses)

다 이렇게 사는 거란 말이 왜이리 슬프지 나

Why does the saying that everyone lives like this make me so sad?

다 → "All" or "Everything"

• 다 means "all" or "everything," indicating that what follows applies to everything or everyone.

이렇게 → "Like this" or "In this way"

• 이렇게 means "like this" or "in this way," referring to how things are happening or the manner in which something is being done.

사는 거란 → "What living is..." or "What life is..."

• 사는 → From 살다 (to live)

  • 사는 is the present-tense descriptive form of 살다, meaning "living" or "life" in this case.

• 거 → Shortened form of 것, meaning "thing" or "what".

  • 사는 거 = "living" or "life" (literally "the thing that is living").

• -란 → Contraction of -라는

  • -라는 is used to indicate definition, explanation, or emphasis, meaning something like "what is called..." or "what is said to be...".

말이 → "Words" or "Speech"

• 말 means "words" or "speech," and -이 is the subject particle, indicating that 말 is the subject of the sentence. 말이 → "The saying that" or "the words that" (indicating a statement or belief).

왜이리 → "Why is it like this" or "Why so"

• 왜 means "why," and 이리 is a colloquial way of saying "this way" or "like this." Together, 왜이리 means "why is it like this" or "why so."

슬프지 → "Is it sad?" or "Why is it sad?"

• 슬프다 means "to be sad," and -지 is a colloquial way of adding emphasis or a rhetorical question, so 슬프지means "is it sad?" or "why is it sad?"

나 → "I"

• 나 means "I" or "me," often used informally or in a reflective context like this one.

[Jungkook, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 Caramel Macchiato

Baby baby you’re Caramel Macchiato

그대는 → “as for you” or simply “you are”

• 그대 – A poetic/formal way to say “you.” Common in lyrics, poetry, and older speech styles. Less commonly used in casual spoken Korean.

• -는 – Topic marker

  • It marks “그대” (you) as the topic of the sentence.

  • It suggests that what follows is a statement about “you.”

  
  

So, 그대는 means “as for you” or simply “you are” in this context. The (이다) (“to be”) is often omitted in casual speech and lyrics but is implied.

여전히 내 입가엔 그대 향기 달콤해

Your scent is still sweet around my lips

여전히 → "Still" or "As always"

• 여전히 means "still" or "as always," indicating that something has not changed or remains the same over time.

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

입가엔 → "By my lips"

• The word 입가엔 is a shortened form of 입가에는.

• 입가 means "lips" or "around the mouth" (입 = mouth, 가 = edge, vicinity).

• -엔 is a contracted form of -에는 (-에 = at, on; -는 = topic marker). So, 입가엔 means "by my lips" or "around my lips."

그대 → "You" (formal)

• 그대 is a formal or poetic way of saying "you," often used in songs or poetry.

향기 → "Fragrance" or "Scent"

달콤해 → "Sweet"

• 달콤하다 means "to be sweet," and 달콤해 is the informal present form, which means "is sweet."

Baby baby tonight

[V, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 café latte 향보다

Baby baby you’re better than the scent of a cafe latte

그대는 → "You" / "You are"

• 그대 = A poetic/literary way to say "you" (often used in songs, poetry, or formal/literary speech).

• 는 = Topic marker, highlighting "you" as the subject of the sentence.

향보다 → "Than the scent" / "Better than the scent"

• 향 = "scent" or "aroma".

• 보다 = "than" (used for comparisons).

• 향보다 = "than the scent", meaning "compared to the aroma" of café latte.

포근했던 그 느낌 기억하고 있나요

Do you remember the cozy feeling?

포근했던 → "Warm" or "Cozy" (past tense)

• 포근하다 means "to be warm," "cozy," or "comforting." -었던 is the past tense modifier, indicating that the warmth or comfort was experienced in the past. So, 포근했던 means "warm" or "cozy" in the past.

그 → "That"

• 그 means "that," used to refer to something specific that is known to both the speaker and the listener.

느낌 → "Feeling" or "Sensation"

• 느낌 means "feeling," "sensation," or "impression," referring to an emotional or physical feeling.

기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?"

• 기억하다 – to remember

  • 기억 (memory) + 하다 (to do) → "to remember"

• -고 있다 – to be doing (continuous tense)

  • 기억하고 있다 means "to be remembering" (i.e., to currently have something in memory).

• -나요? – A polite and slightly softer way to ask a question.

  • Compared to "기억하고 있어요?", this form feels a bit more gentle or nostalgic.

  • 기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?" / "Are you remembering it?" (less natural in English)

Baby baby tonight

[Suga] : Baby tonight 잘 자요 오늘 밤

Baby tonight, sleep well tonight

잘 → "Well" or "Properly"

• 잘 means "well" or "properly," often used to express the desire for someone to do something in a good way.

자요 → "Sleep" (polite form)

• 자다 means "to sleep," and -아요 is the polite present ending that makes the sentence more respectful or considerate.

오늘 → "Today"

• 오늘 means "today."

밤 → "Night"

• 밤 means "night," referring to the evening or nighttime. (오늘 밤 → "Tonight").

괜히 둘 사이 어색한 기류만 흐르던 첫 문자와 첫 통화

The awkward atmosphere between the two of us in our first text and phone call

괜히 → "For no reason," "Needlessly," or "Pointlessly"

• 괜히 means "for no reason" or "needlessly," often used to imply something was done without purpose or unnecessary.

둘 → "Both" or "The two"

• 둘 means "the two" or "both," usually referring to two people or things.

사이 → "Between" or "Relationship"

• 사이 means "between," "space," or "relationship," referring to the interaction or relationship between two people.

어색한 → "Awkward" (adjective form)

• 어색하다 means "to be awkward," and -한 is the adjective-forming suffix, so 어색한 means "awkward."

기류만 → "Only the atmosphere" or "Only the tension"

• 기류 refers to "atmosphere" or "air," often used to describe the emotional or unspoken tension in a situation or relationship.

• 만 means "only" or "just," emphasizing that only that thing is happening, or it’s the focus of the sentence. "기류만" emphasizes that only the awkward atmosphere was present.

  • 어색한 기류만 = "only the awkward atmosphere" or "just the awkward vibe."

흐르던 → "Was flowing" or "Used to flow" (past continuous)

• 흐르다 means "to flow," and -던 is the past continuous modifier, indicating that something was happening continuously or repeatedly in the past. So 흐르던 means "was flowing" or "used to flow."

첫 → "First"

• 첫 means "first," indicating the first instance of something.

문자와 → "Text message and"

• 문자 means "text message" or "SMS," referring to a written message sent via phone.

• 와 is a conjunction meaning "and," used to link two nouns.

첫 통화 → "First phone call"

• 첫 means "first," indicating the first instance of something.

• 통화 means phone call.

기대하던 첫 만남

I looked forward to our first meeting

기대하던 → "The anticipated" or "The one I was looking forward to"

• 기대하다 means "to anticipate" or "to look forward to." The -던 suffix is used to describe something that was anticipated in the past, indicating that the expectation happened before the moment in question. So 기대하던 means "the anticipated" or "the one I was looking forward to."

첫 → "First"

• 첫 means "first," indicating that it is the first instance of something.

만남 → "Meeting" or "Encounter"

• 만남 means "meeting" or "encounter," referring to the act of coming together with someone.

근데 난 왜 손톱만 물어뜯었을까

But why did I just keep biting my nails?

근데 → "But" or "However"

• 근데 is a casual form of 그런데, meaning "but," "however," or "by the way." It introduces a shift in topic or presents something contrasting or unexpected.

난 → "I" (informal)

• 난 is a contraction of 나는, which means "I" (topic) in an informal or familiar context.

왜 → "Why"

손톱만 → "Only my nails"

• 손톱 means "nail" (as in fingernail), and 만 means "only" or "just," indicating that only the nails were affected or focused on.

물어뜯었을까 → "I wonder why I bit"

• 물어뜯다 means "to bite and tear" or "to nibble," often used when talking about actions like biting nails. -었을까 is a past tense form with a reflective or wondering nuance, so 물어뜯었을까 means "I wonder why I bit" or "I wonder why I was biting."

긴장해서였을까

Was I nervous?

긴장해서였을까 → "Could it have been because I was nervous?" or "I wonder if it was because I was nervous."

• 긴장하다 means "to be nervous" or "to be tense."

• -해서 comes from 하다 in the -아서/어서 form, which is used to indicate the cause or reason for something. 해서 here suggests "because of" or "due to" the action of being nervous.

• -였을까 is a past tense form that adds a reflective or wondering tone, meaning "I wonder if it was" or "Could it have been?" It is often used when the speaker is unsure about the reason for something that happened in the past.

시간이 흐르고 자연스레 우리 둘 사인

Naturally, as time went by,

시간이 → "Time" (subject marker)

• 시간 means "time," and 이 is the subject marker, indicating that time is the subject of the sentence.

흐르고 → "Flows" or "Passes"

• 흐르다 means "to flow" or "to pass" (like time passing). The -고 form connects the verb to the next phrase, so 흐르고 means "flows" or "passes" in the present continuous sense.

자연스레 → "Naturally"

• 자연스레 is an adverb meaning "naturally" or "in a natural way," suggesting that something happens without effort, as part of the natural course of things.

우리 → "We" or "Our"

• 우리 means "we" or "our," referring to the two people in the sentence.

둘 → "Two"

• 둘 means "two," referring to the two people involved in the situation.

사인 → "Signs"

• 사인 means "sign" or "signature," often used metaphorically to refer to signals, gestures, or mutual understanding.

연인 아님 애인 그런 말들로 매일 서로를 확인하고 확인했지

With words like love and lovers, we confirmed each others feelings

연인 → "Lover" or "Partner"

• 연인 means "lover" or "partner," referring to a romantic relationship (used more formally or to describe a romantic relationship in general). 연인 tends to be used in more formal, literary, or poetic contexts. It's not as casual as 애인, and can often refer to a romantic couple in a more serious or lasting sense.

아님 → "not... but" or "not... instead" (informal)

• 아님 is a colloquial form of 아니다 (to not be), and it means "not" or "is not." In "연인 아님 애인", the "아님" connects the two nouns, and it gives the idea of "not one thing, but the other."

애인 → "Boyfriend/Girlfriend"

• 애인 means "boyfriend" or "girlfriend," referring to a romantic partner. 애인 is more commonly used when talking about a boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone you’re currently dating. It’s a bit more informal and casual compared to 연인.

그런 → "Such," "That kind of"

• 그런 is the attributive form of 그렇다 (to be like that), meaning "such" or "that kind of."

말들로 → "With words like"

• 말들 is the plural form of 말, meaning "words" or "talk." The -로 is a particle indicating the means or method by which something is done, so 말들로 means "with words like" or "using words like."

매일 → "Every day"

• 매일 means "every day," referring to the daily occurrence.

서로를 → "Each other" (object form)

• 서로 means "each other," and -를 is the object particle, marking "each other" as the object of the verb.

확인하고 → "Confirm" or "Check" (present continuous)

• 확인하다 means "to confirm" or "to check." The -고 form connects it to the next part of the sentence, indicating that this action is happening continuously or in conjunction with other actions.

확인했지 → "Confirmed" (past tense, with emphasis)

• 확인하다 is in the past tense here as 확인했지, which means "confirmed" or "checked." The -지 at the end gives a sense of emphasis or an implicit understanding, like "you know," implying the speaker is sure of what happened.

맘에 새긴 우리의 첫 만남은

Our first meeting that I engraved in my heart

맘에 → "In my heart" or "In my mind"

• 맘 is a shortened form of 마음, which means "heart" or "mind" in the emotional or mental sense. The -에 particle indicates the direction or location, so 맘에 means "in my heart" or "in my mind."

새긴 → "Carved" or "Engraved"

• 새기다 means "to carve" or "to engrave," often used metaphorically to mean something is deeply etched or remembered. 새긴 is the past tense or adjective form, meaning "engraved" or "carved."

우리의 → "Our"

• 우리의 means "our," referring to something belonging to both the speaker and the person they are speaking about.

첫 → "First"

• 첫 means "first," indicating that this is the first of something, in this case, the first meeting.

만남은 → "Meeting" (subject with topic marker)

• 만남 means "meeting" or "encounter." The 은 particle marks it as the topic of the sentence, so 만남은 means "as for the meeting."

캬라멜 마끼아또 처럼 달콤했지

Was sweet like a caramel macchiato

캬라멜 마끼아또 → "Caramel Macchiato"

• 캬라멜 마끼아또 is the Korean transliteration of "caramel macchiato," a sweet coffee drink.

처럼 → "Like" or "As"

• 처럼 means "like" or "as," indicating a comparison. It is used when something resembles or is similar to something else.

달콤했지 → "Was sweet" (with emphasis)

• 달콤하다 means "to be sweet" (in taste or figuratively). -했지 is the past tense of 하다 (to do) with the -지 ending, which is often used for emphasis, or to imply that the listener already knows or understands what’s being said. It could be translated as "was sweet" with a tone of affirmation.

어디든 같이 가고 싶던 마음도

The feeling of wanting to go everywhere together

어디든 → "Anywhere"

• 어디든 means "anywhere" or "wherever." The word 어디 means "where," and 든 is a particle meaning "even," "any," or "no matter," suggesting an open-ended or unrestricted place.

같이 → "Together"

• 같이 means "together" or "with," indicating that the action is done as a pair or group.

가고 싶던 → "Wanted to go"

• 가다 means "to go," and -고 싶다 is a structure that means "want to do something." -던 is a past-tense modifier, used to describe a past action or state that was ongoing or habitual at the time. So, 가고 싶던 means "wanted to go" or "had wanted to go."

마음도 → "Heart" or "Feeling" (with emphasis on also)

• 마음 means "heart" or "feeling," in the emotional sense. The -도 particle means "also" or "too," indicating that this feeling is part of a broader context or situation.

시간이 지나면서

As time passed

시간이 → "Time" (subject marker)

• 시간 means "time," and 이 is the subject particle, marking 시간 as the subject of the sentence.

지나면서 → "While passing" or "As time passes"

• 지나다 means "to pass" or "to go by." The -면서 ending indicates that one action is happening simultaneously with another or is in progress during a specific situation. So 지나면서 means "while passing" or "as time passes."

마치 에스프레소처럼 내려놓게 되었어

I put those feelings down like an expresso

마치 → "As if" or "Like"

• 마치 means "as if," "like," or "just as," indicating a comparison or similarity between two things.

에스프레소처럼 → "Like an espresso"

• 에스프레소 is the Korean transliteration of "espresso," a type of strong coffee. 처럼 means "like" or "as," so 에스프레소처럼 means "like an espresso" or "as if it were an espresso."

내려놓게 → "To put down"

• 내려놓다 means "to put down" or "to set down," often used metaphorically when letting go of something emotionally or physically. The -게 suffix turns a verb into an adverbial form, which means it indicates how or in what way something happens. In this case, it turns 내려놓다 into "to put down in a certain way" or "to end up putting down".

되었어 → "Became" or "Came to be" (past tense)

• 되다 means "to become" or "to turn into." The -었어 ending is the past tense, so 되었어 means "became" or "came to be." 내려놓게 되었어 translates to "I ended up putting it down" or "I came to put it down."

Uh 괜시리 속 아프네, uh 우린 참 좋았는데

Uh it hurts my insides, uh we were so good together

괜시리 → "For no reason" or "Unnecessarily"

• 괜시리 means "for no reason," "unnecessarily," or "without cause." It’s used to express doing something in vain or without a clear reason, often with a sense of regret.

속 → "Inside" or "Heart"

• 속 means "inside" or "heart," referring to the inner emotions or feelings of a person.

아프네 → "It hurts" or "It’s painful"

• 아프다 means "to hurt" or "to be in pain." -네 is an ending used to express realization or to emphasize the speaker's feeling about something. It gives a tone of reflection or a sense of surprise. So, 아프네 means "It hurts" or "It’s painful," with the speaker acknowledging the feeling.

우린 → "We"

• 우린 is a contraction of 우리 + 는, meaning "we" or "us," with 는 being the topic particle.

참 → "Really" or "Truly"

• 참 means "really" or "truly," used for emphasis to express something with sincerity or to highlight how true or real something is.

좋았는데 → "It was good, but..."

• 좋다 means "good" or "nice," and -았/었/였는데 is a past tense ending that also suggests a contrast, surprise, or reflection. 좋았는데 translates to "It was good, but..." implying a sense of regret or loss, like reminiscing on a good time that is now past.

이별은 쓰디쓴 아메리카노

Breaking up is a bitter americano

이별은 → "Separation" or "Goodbye" (topic marker)

• 이별 means "separation" or "goodbye," referring to parting ways or ending a relationship. 은 is the topic particle, marking 이별 as the topic of the sentence.

쓰디쓴 → "Extremely bitter"

• 쓰디쓴 is an intensified form of 쓴 (bitter), meaning "extremely bitter" or "very bitter." It is used here to describe the bitterness of 이별 (goodbye or separation).

아메리카노 → "Americano"

• 아메리카노 is the Korean transliteration of "Americano," a type of coffee made by diluting espresso with hot water, usually a bit bitter.

아직도 추억은 여전히 그 카페로 가고 있어

My memories still go to that cafe

아직도 → "Still" or "Even now"

• 아직도 means "still" or "even now," implying that something is continuing or ongoing, even at the present time.

추억은 → "Memories" (topic marker)

• 추억 means "memories" or "recollections," referring to the past experiences that remain in one's mind. 은 is the topic particle, marking 추억 as the topic of the sentence.

여전히 → "Still" or "As usual"

• 여전히 means "still" or "as usual," indicating that something is continuing in the same way as before. It emphasizes the unchanged nature of the situation.

그 → "That"

• 그 is a demonstrative adjective meaning "that" (referring to something previously mentioned or known). In this case, it refers to 카페 (cafe).

카페로 → "To the cafe"

• 카페 means "cafe," and -로 is a particle indicating direction or destination, meaning "to" or "toward."

가고 있어 → "Is going" or "Is heading"

• 가다 means "to go," and -고 있어 is the present progressive form, indicating an action that is currently ongoing. So 가고 있어 means "is going" or "is heading."

[Jungkook, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 Caramel Macchiato

Baby baby you’re Caramel Macchiato

그대는 → “as for you” or simply “you are”

• 그대 – A poetic/formal way to say “you.” Common in lyrics, poetry, and older speech styles. Less commonly used in casual spoken Korean.

• -는 – Topic marker

  • It marks “그대” (you) as the topic of the sentence.

  • It suggests that what follows is a statement about “you.”

  
  

So, 그대는 means “as for you” or simply “you are” in this context. The (이다) (“to be”) is often omitted in casual speech and lyrics but is implied.

여전히 내 입가엔 그대 향기 달콤해

Your scent is still sweet around my lips

여전히 → "Still" or "As always"

• 여전히 means "still" or "as always," indicating that something has not changed or remains the same over time.

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

입가엔 → "By my lips"

• The word 입가엔 is a shortened form of 입가에는.

• 입가 means "lips" or "around the mouth" (입 = mouth, 가 = edge, vicinity).

• -엔 is a contracted form of -에는 (-에 = at, on; -는 = topic marker). So, 입가엔 means "by my lips" or "around my lips."

그대 → "You" (formal)

• 그대 is a formal or poetic way of saying "you," often used in songs or poetry.

향기 → "Fragrance" or "Scent"

달콤해 → "Sweet"

• 달콤하다 means "to be sweet," and 달콤해 is the informal present form, which means "is sweet."

Baby baby tonight

[Jimin, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 café latte 향보다

Baby baby you’re better than the scent of a cafe latte

그대는 → "You" / "You are"

• 그대 = A poetic/literary way to say "you" (often used in songs, poetry, or formal/literary speech).

• 는 = Topic marker, highlighting "you" as the subject of the sentence.

향보다 → "Than the scent" / "Better than the scent"

• 향 = "scent" or "aroma".

• 보다 = "than" (used for comparisons).

• 향보다 = "than the scent", meaning "compared to the aroma" of café latte.

포근했던 그 느낌 기억하고 있나요

Do you remember the cozy feeling?

포근했던 → "Warm" or "Cozy" (past tense)

• 포근하다 means "to be warm," "cozy," or "comforting." -었던 is the past tense modifier, indicating that the warmth or comfort was experienced in the past. So, 포근했던 means "warm" or "cozy" in the past.

그 → "That"

• 그 means "that," used to refer to something specific that is known to both the speaker and the listener.

느낌 → "Feeling" or "Sensation"

• 느낌 means "feeling," "sensation," or "impression," referring to an emotional or physical feeling.

기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?"

• 기억하다 – to remember

  • 기억 (memory) + 하다 (to do) → "to remember"

• -고 있다 – to be doing (continuous tense)

  • 기억하고 있다 means "to be remembering" (i.e., to currently have something in memory).

• -나요? – A polite and slightly softer way to ask a question.

  • Compared to "기억하고 있어요?", this form feels a bit more gentle or nostalgic.

  • 기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?" / "Are you remembering it?" (less natural in English)

Baby baby tonight

1,2,3,4

[j-hope] : 그래 매일 하루종일 니 향기 속에 취하던 시절과

Yeah, I remember that time, when I was drunk on your scent all day long

그래 → "Yeah" or "That's right"

• 그래 is an expression used to affirm something or acknowledge a previous statement. It’s similar to saying “yeah” or “that’s right,” indicating agreement or a reflection on what was said.

매일 → "Every day"

• 매일 means "every day," indicating something that happens daily or regularly.

하루종일 → "All day long"

• 하루종일 means "all day long" or "throughout the day," emphasizing the duration of time spent doing something.

니 → "Your" (informal)

• 니 is an informal possessive pronoun, meaning "your." It is used here in the context of "your" as a familiar or close reference, often used in casual speech.

향기 → "Scent" or "Fragrance"

• 향기 means "scent" or "fragrance," referring to a pleasant smell, often tied to something or someone.

속에 → "Inside" or "In"

• 속 means "inside" or "in," and 에 is a particle that marks the location or direction, indicating "inside of" or "in." So, 속에 means "inside" or "in."

취하던 → "Was getting drunk" or "Was intoxicated"

• 취하다 means "to get drunk" or "to be intoxicated." 던 is a past tense marker that indicates an action or state that was ongoing in the past but is no longer happening, so 취하던 means "was getting drunk" or "was intoxicated."

시절과 → "The times" or "The days"

• 시절 means "times" or "days," referring to a particular period in the past. 과 is a particle that means "and," used to connect nouns.

서로 먼 훗날을 기약하며 이별을 택했던 기억이 나

I remember how we broke up, promising to see each other in the distant future

서로 → "Each other" or "One another"

• 서로 means "each other" or "one another," indicating mutual action or relationship between two people.

먼 → "Distant" or "Far"

• 먼 is the attributive form of 멀다, which means "distant" or "far." It describes something that is far away, in this case, 훗날 (a distant future).

훗날을 → "The future" (object marker)

• 훗날 means "future" or "later day," referring to a time in the distant future. The -을 is an object particle, marking 훗날 as the object of the sentence.

기약하며 → "Promising" or "Making a promise"

• 기약하다 means "to promise" or "to make a vow." -며 is a connective ending that means "while" or "as," indicating that the action of promising was done alongside another action. In this case, it's indicating that they made a promise while doing something else (possibly separating).

이별을 → "Separation" or "Goodbye" (object marker)

• 이별 means "goodbye" or "separation," referring to parting ways. 을 is the object particle, indicating that 이별 is the object of the sentence.

택했던 → "Had chosen"

• 택하다 means "to choose" or "to pick." -던 is a past tense ending used to describe a past action or state that was ongoing or habitual. So, 택했던 means "had chosen."

기억이 → "Memory" (subject marker)

• 기억 means "memory." 이 is the subject particle, marking 기억 as the subject of the sentence.

나 → "I" (I remember)

너와 같이 좋아했던 민트향,

The mint scent that we liked together

너와 → "With you"

• 너 means "you" (informal), and 와 is a particle that means "with" or "and." Together, 너와 means "with you."

같이 → "Together"

• 같이 means "together" or "in the same way," indicating the action of doing something with someone.

좋아했던 → "Had liked"

• 좋아하다 means "to like" or "to love." -했던 is a form of the past tense marker 던, indicating that the liking was something that happened in the past but is no longer ongoing. So, 좋아했던 means "had liked."

민트향 → "Mint scent"

• 민트 is the Korean word for "mint," and 향 means "scent" or "fragrance." So, 민트향 means "mint scent" or "mint fragrance."

커피를 먹다 보니 너가 생각나며 rewind

As I drink coffee, I think of you and rewind

커피를 → "Coffee" (object marker)

• 커피 means "coffee," and 를 is the object particle, marking 커피 as the object of the sentence.

먹다 → "To eat" or "To drink"

• 먹다 means "to eat," but when used in the context of drinking (like with coffee), it can mean "to drink."

보니 → "I found that" or "As I [did something]"

• 보니 comes from 보다 (to see), combined with -니, which implies discovering or realizing something while doing an action. So, 먹다 보니 means "as I drank" or "while drinking," leading to a realization or something happening as a result.

너가 → "You" (subject marker)

• 너 is an informal way to say "you," and 가 is the subject particle, marking 너 as the subject of the sentence. So, 너가 means "you" as the subject.

생각나며 → "While thinking of you"

• 생각하다 means "to think," and -나며 is a form of -며, indicating that two actions are happening at the same time. So, 생각나며 means "while thinking of" or "while being reminded of."

시간이 많이 지난 요즘 가끔

These days, after a long time,

시간이 → "Time" (subject marker)

• 시간 means "time," and 이 is the subject particle, marking 시간 as the subject of the sentence.

많이 → "A lot" or "Much"

• 많이 is an adverb meaning "a lot" or "much," used to indicate a large amount of something.

지난 → "Has passed"

• 지난 comes from the verb 지나다, which means "to pass" or "to go by." 지난 is the past participle form, meaning "has passed" or "gone by."

요즘 → "Recently" or "These days"

• 요즘 means "recently" or "these days," referring to the present time or the recent period.

가끔 → "Sometimes"

• 가끔 means "sometimes," indicating an action that happens occasionally.

니가 보고픈 건 왜일까?

Why do I miss you?

니가 → "You" (subject marker, informal)

• 니 is an informal version of "you" (used in casual or intimate speech), and 가 is the subject particle, marking 니 as the subject of the sentence.

보고픈 → "Want to see" or "Want to meet"

• 보고픈 comes from the verb 보다 (to see) combined with the adjective form -고픈 (meaning "want to"). So, 보고픈 means "want to see" or "want to meet."

건 → "Thing" or "The thing" (abbreviation of 것은)

• 건 is an informal contraction of 것은, which means "the thing." In this sentence, it’s used to refer to the action or feeling that is being questioned. (보고픈 건 means "the thing I want to see" or "the thing I miss.")

왜일까 → "Why is it?" or "Why could it be?"

• 왜 means "why," and 일까 is a grammatical structure that is used to express a question or uncertainty, indicating curiosity about the reason or cause behind something.

[Jungkook, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 Caramel Macchiato

Baby baby you’re Caramel Macchiato

그대는 → “as for you” or simply “you are”

• 그대 – A poetic/formal way to say “you.” Common in lyrics, poetry, and older speech styles. Less commonly used in casual spoken Korean.

• -는 – Topic marker

  • It marks “그대” (you) as the topic of the sentence.

  • It suggests that what follows is a statement about “you.”

  
  

So, 그대는 means “as for you” or simply “you are” in this context. The (이다) (“to be”) is often omitted in casual speech and lyrics but is implied.

여전히 내 입가엔 그대 향기 달콤해

Your scent is still sweet around my lips

여전히 → "Still" or "As always"

• 여전히 means "still" or "as always," indicating that something has not changed or remains the same over time.

내 → "My"

• 내 means "my," showing possession.

입가엔 → "By my lips"

• The word 입가엔 is a shortened form of 입가에는.

• 입가 means "lips" or "around the mouth" (입 = mouth, 가 = edge, vicinity).

• -엔 is a contracted form of -에는 (-에 = at, on; -는 = topic marker). So, 입가엔 means "by my lips" or "around my lips."

그대 → "You" (formal)

• 그대 is a formal or poetic way of saying "you," often used in songs or poetry.

향기 → "Fragrance" or "Scent"

달콤해 → "Sweet"

• 달콤하다 means "to be sweet," and 달콤해 is the informal present form, which means "is sweet."

Baby baby tonight

[Jimin, vocal line] : Baby baby 그대는 café latte 향보다

Baby baby you’re better than the scent of a cafe latte

그대는 → "You" / "You are"

• 그대 = A poetic/literary way to say "you" (often used in songs, poetry, or formal/literary speech).

• 는 = Topic marker, highlighting "you" as the subject of the sentence.

향보다 → "Than the scent" / "Better than the scent"

• 향 = "scent" or "aroma".

• 보다 = "than" (used for comparisons).

• 향보다 = "than the scent", meaning "compared to the aroma" of café latte.

포근했던 그 느낌 기억하고 있나요

Do you remember the cozy feeling?

포근했던 → "Warm" or "Cozy" (past tense)

• 포근하다 means "to be warm," "cozy," or "comforting." -었던 is the past tense modifier, indicating that the warmth or comfort was experienced in the past. So, 포근했던 means "warm" or "cozy" in the past.

그 → "That"

• 그 means "that," used to refer to something specific that is known to both the speaker and the listener.

느낌 → "Feeling" or "Sensation"

• 느낌 means "feeling," "sensation," or "impression," referring to an emotional or physical feeling.

기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?"

• 기억하다 – to remember

  • 기억 (memory) + 하다 (to do) → "to remember"

• -고 있다 – to be doing (continuous tense)

  • 기억하고 있다 means "to be remembering" (i.e., to currently have something in memory).

• -나요? – A polite and slightly softer way to ask a question.

  • Compared to "기억하고 있어요?", this form feels a bit more gentle or nostalgic.

  • 기억하고 있나요 → "Do you remember?" / "Are you remembering it?" (less natural in English)

Baby baby tonight

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