ETA — NewJeans: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync낭비하지 마 네 시간은 은행nang·bi·ha·ji ma ne si·ga·neun eun·haengDon't waste your time—it's like money in the bank.Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
In “ETA,” NewJeans sing about warning a friend that the boy beside her is a liar who keeps looking at other girls. The singer says she has seen it herself, offers to rush over and stand by her friend's side, and keeps asking how soon she will arrive. The urgency is protective but a little wistful, ending with the singer admitting she wants someone on her own arm too.
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.
낭비하지 마 네 시간은 은행Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): nang·bi·ha·ji ma ne si·ga·neun eun·haeng
Meaning: Don't waste your time—it's like money in the bank.
Words in this line- 낭비하지nang·bi·ha·jidon't waste
- 마ma(imperative particle)
- 네 시간은ne si·ga·neunyour time
- 은행eun·haengbank
Word for word: Don't waste. Your time is a bank.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The word '은행' (bank) is a metaphor for time. Time is compared to a valuable resource that can be spent or saved, like money. It's not a literal statement but a figurative expression about the value of time.
걘 여기저기에 눈빛을 뿌리네Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): gyaen yeo·gi·jeo·gi·e nun·bi·cheul ppu·ri·ne
Meaning: He scatters his gaze all around.
Words in this line- 걘gyaenhe
- 여기저기에yeo·gi·jeo·gi·ehere and there
- 눈빛을nun·bi·cheulgaze
- 뿌리네ppu·ri·nescatters
Word for word: He here-and-there gaze scatters.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The verb '뿌리네' (scatters) is usually used for physical objects, but here it's applied to a gaze. It's a figurative expression showing how he flirts and seeks attention everywhere he can.
아주 눈부시게 honestly 우리 사이에Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): a·ju nun·bu·si·ge honestly u·ri sa·i·e
Meaning: Very brightly, honestly, between us.
Words in this line- 아주a·juvery
- 눈부시게nun·bu·si·gebrightly
- 우리 사이에u·ri sa·i·ebetween us
Word for word: Very blindingly, honestly, between us.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The phrase '우리 사이에' (between us) is an idiomatic expression meaning a secret or confession that shouldn't leave the two of them. The word '눈부시게' (brightly, blindingly) emphasizes the obviousness of his behavior that she sees but cannot openly discuss.
아파 맘이 네가 걔 못 잊을 때Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): a·pa ma·mi ni·ga gyae mot i·jeul ttae
Meaning: It hurts when you can't forget him
Words in this line- 아파a·pahurts
- 맘이ma·miheart
- 네가ni·gayou
- 걔gyaehe
- 못motcan't
- 잊을i·jeulforget
- 때ttaewhen
Word for word: Hurts heart you he can't forget when
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 맘 (heart) literally means the organ, but in emotional context means feelings. 아파 (hurts) combined with it expresses emotional pain, not physical pain.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “ETA” — NewJeans. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
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Ask HaeinSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 걔는 | gyae·neun | he |
| 그날 | geu·nal | that day |
| 그래 | geu·rae | yeah |
| 내생일 | nae·saeng·il | my birthday |
| 너만 | neo·man | only you |
| 너없을때 | neo·eop·sseul·ttae | when you're absent |
| 네가없이 | ne·ga·eop·ssi | without you |
| 멋있는 | meo·sin·neun | beautiful |
| 언제나 | eon·je·na | always |
| 엄청 | eom·cheong | greatly |
| 여친이랑 | yeo·chi·ni·rang | with girlfriend |
| 옷을 | o·seul | clothes |
| 입고 | ip·kko | wore |
| 지원이가 | ji·wo·ni·ga | Jiwon |
| 파티에 | pa·ti·e | party |
| 헤어진 | he·eo·jin | broke up |
| 혜진이가 | hye·ji·ni·ga | Hyejin |
| 혼났던 | hon·nat·tteon | got in trouble |
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Questions about “ETA”
What is “ETA” by NewJeans about?
In “ETA,” NewJeans sing about warning a friend that the boy beside her is a liar who keeps looking at other girls.
What does “낭비하지 마 네 시간은 은행” mean in “ETA”?
Don't waste your time—it's like money in the bank. The word '은행' (bank) is a metaphor for time.
What does “걘 여기저기에 눈빛을 뿌리네” mean in “ETA”?
He scatters his gaze all around. The verb '뿌리네' (scatters) is usually used for physical objects, but here it's applied to a gaze.
How do you pronounce “아주 눈부시게 honestly 우리 사이에”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “a·ju nun·bu·si·ge honestly u·ri sa·i·e”: that's how it's actually sung by NewJeans, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “ETA” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Haein goes through all 44 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. YouTube ↗
Credits and sources
- Artist
- NewJeans
- 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.