Blood Sweat & Tears — BTS: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync다 가져가, 가da ga·jyeo·ga, gaTake it all, take itListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
BTS's “Blood Sweat & Tears” is about someone who knowingly gives in to a tempting, dangerous lover and surrenders everything. The sweetness is laced with bitterness, and the attraction feels like drinking, addiction and poison. They beg to be bound and kept from escaping, accepting the punishment as part of the pull.
Key lines
4 lines from the song in Korean, with how they sound and what they mean. The full line-by-line breakdown lives in the app.
다 가져가, 가Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): da ga·jyeo·ga, ga
Meaning: Take it all, take it
Words in this line- 다daall
- 가져가,ga·jyeo·ga,take
- 가gatake
Word for word: All take, take.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: A repetition from the previous verse, intensifying the plea and desperation through minimalism and rhythm.
Kiss me, 아파도 돼, 어서 날 조여줘Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): Kiss me, a·pa·do dwae, eo·seo nal jo·yeo·jwo
Meaning: Kiss me, pain is okay, squeeze me tight.
Words in this line- 아파도a·pa·dopain is okay
- 돼,dwae,can be,
- 어서eo·seohurry
- 날nalme
- 조여줘jo·yeo·jwosqueeze
Word for word: Kiss me, pain-also okay, hurry squeeze me.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The construction 'pain can be' expresses willingness to accept pain. '어서' (hurry) adds urgency and desperation. Together: I'll accept pain if it means being closer to you.
내 피, 땀, 눈물, 내 차가운 숨을Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): nae pi, ttam, nun·mul, nae cha·ga·un su·meul
Meaning: My blood, sweat, tears, my cold breath.
Words in this line- 내naemy
- 피,pi,blood,
- 땀,ttam,sweat,
- 눈물,nun·mul,tears,
- 내naemy
- 차가운cha·ga·uncold
- 숨을su·meulbreath
Word for word: My blood, sweat, tears, my cold breath.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: '차가운 숨' (cold breath) is an image of death or complete exhaustion. Unlike 'last dance' (life), cold breath is the end. Together with blood, sweat, and tears, it's a complete image of self-sacrifice.
나를 부드럽게 죽여줘Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): na·reul bu·deu·reop·kke ju·gyeo·jwo
Meaning: Kill me gently.
Words in this line- 나를na·reulme
- 부드럽게bu·deu·reop·kkegently
- 죽여줘ju·gyeo·jwokill
Word for word: Me gently kill.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 'Gently' and 'kill' are contradictory—a plea for merciful death, an end to the suffering described above. After all the sacrifices and insatiable hunger, the hero asks for only one thing: an end. It's not suicide but a plea for salvation through death.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Blood Sweat & Tears” — BTS. Quoted for commentary and learning.
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Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 감겨줘 | gam·gyeo·jwo | close |
| 감옥에 | ga·mo·ge | in prison |
| 거부할 | geo·bu·hal | refuse |
| 것인 | geo·sin | belongs |
| 깊숙이 | gip·ssu·gi | deep |
| 깊이 | gi·pi | deeply |
| 날개는 | nal·gae·neun | wings |
| 너란 | neo·ran | you called |
| 눈물도 | nun·mul·do | tears too |
| 달콤해 | dal·kom·hae | sweet |
| 마지막 | ma·ji·mak | last |
| 많이 | ma·ni | a lot, |
| 받게 | bat·kke | receive |
| 수조차 | su·jo·cha | even able |
| 없게 | eop·kke | not be |
| 원해 | won·hae | want |
| 주문 | ju·mun | spell |
| 춤을 | chu·meul | dance |
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Questions about “Blood Sweat & Tears”
What is “Blood Sweat & Tears” by BTS about?
BTS's “Blood Sweat & Tears” is about someone who knowingly gives in to a tempting, dangerous lover and surrenders everything.
What does “다 가져가, 가” mean in “Blood Sweat & Tears”?
Take it all, take it. A repetition from the previous verse, intensifying the plea and desperation through minimalism and rhythm.
What does “Kiss me, 아파도 돼, 어서 날 조여줘” mean in “Blood Sweat & Tears”?
Kiss me, pain is okay, squeeze me tight. The construction 'pain can be' expresses willingness to accept pain.
How do you pronounce “내 피, 땀, 눈물, 내 차가운 숨을”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “nae pi, ttam, nun·mul, nae cha·ga·un su·meul”: that's how it's actually sung by BTS, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Blood Sweat & Tears” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Sunwoo goes through all 49 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
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Credits and sources
- Artist
- BTS
- Official video
- HYBE LABELS · YouTube
Lyrics and music belong to their rights holders. This page quotes no more than four lines for commentary; the translations, pronunciation and explanations are written by theIDOL.