PSY
강남스타일 — PSY: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync커피 한 잔의 여유를 아는 품격 있는 여자keo·pi han ja·nui yeo·yu·reul a·neun pum·gyeok in·neun yeo·jaA classy girl who knows how to enjoy a cup of coffeeListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
PSY’s “강남스타일” (Gangnam Style) is a playful, boastful portrait of a man who looks refined by day and goes wild at night. He pictures a woman cut from the same cloth, demure on the surface, daring once the party starts, and invites her to let loose with him. He boasts of brains over brawn and says that while others run, he flies. The title means the swagger of Gangnam, Seoul’s wealthy district, a style he claims as his own.
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.
커피 한 잔의 여유를 아는 품격 있는 여자Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): keo·pi han ja·nui yeo·yu·reul a·neun pum·gyeok in·neun yeo·ja
Meaning: A classy girl who knows how to enjoy a cup of coffee
Words in this line- 커피keo·picoffee
- 한hanone
- 잔의ja·nuiof a cup
- 여유를yeo·yu·reulleisure
- 아는a·neunwho knows
- 품격pum·gyeokclass, dignity
- 있는in·neunhaving
- 여자yeo·jawoman
Word for word: Coffee one cup's margin-object knowing dignity having woman
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 여유 alone means 'margin' or 'spare room', but next to coffee it means a relaxed, unhurried pleasure. 품격 is 'dignity' and 있는 ('having') turns it into praise: a woman with class.
커피 식기도 전에 원샷 때리는 사나이Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): keo·pi sik·kki·do jeo·ne won·syat ttae·ri·neun sa·na·i
Meaning: A guy who downs his coffee in one shot before it even cools
Words in this line- 커피keo·picoffee
- 식기도sik·kki·doeven cooling
- 전에jeo·nebefore
- 원샷won·syatone shot
- 때리는ttae·ri·neunhitting
- 사나이sa·na·iguy
Word for word: Coffee cool-even before one-shot hitting man
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 원샷 is 'one shot', meaning to drink it all at once, and 때리다 alone means 'to hit'. Together 원샷 때리다 is casual slang for knocking a drink back. The contrast with her leisurely coffee earlier is part of the joke.
오 오 오 오 오빤 강남스타일Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): o o o o o·ppan gang·nam·seu·ta·il
Meaning: Oh oh oh oh, oppa is Gangnam style
Words in this line- 오ooh
- 오ooh
- 오ooh
- 오ooh
- 오빤o·ppanoppa is
- 강남스타일gang·nam·seu·ta·ilGangnam style
Word for word: Oh, oh, oh, oh, older-brother is Gangnam style
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 오빠 literally means 'older brother', but women use it for an older guy or boyfriend, and here the singer calls himself that. 강남 is a wealthy Seoul district and 'style' means flashy chic. Together it is a boast: 'I'm a guy with rich-Gangnam flair'.
뛰는 놈 그 위에 나는 놈Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): ttwi·neun nom geu wi·e na·neun nom
Meaning: For every runner there's someone who flies higher
Words in this line- 뛰는ttwi·neunrunning
- 놈nomguy
- 그geuthat
- 위에wi·eabove
- 나는na·neunflying
- 놈nomguy
Word for word: Running guy, that above-him flying guy
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 뛰는 alone means running or jumping, 나는 means flying, and 놈 is a rough word for guy. Together they form a proverb: there is always someone better than you. In the song the singer applies it to himself, as the one who flies highest.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “강남스타일” — PSY. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
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Why this word and not another? What does that slang mean? Ask in your own words and your idol answers about this exact line.
Ask HaruSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 가렸지만 | ga·ryeot·jji·man | though covered |
| 가볼까 | ga·bol·kka | shall we try going? |
| 감각적인 | gam·gak·jjeo·gin | sensual |
| 그래 | geu·rae | yes, right |
| 그런 | geu·reon | that kind of |
| 근육보다 | geu·nyuk·ppo·da | than muscles |
| 낮에는 | na·je·neun | by day |
| 노는 | no·neun | who plays |
| 데까지 | de·kka·ji | up to the place |
| 따사로운 | tta·sa·ro·un | warm, gentle |
| 바로 | ba·ro | exactly |
| 밤이 | ba·mi | night |
| 보이지만 | bo·i·ji·man | although seems |
| 사랑스러워 | sa·rang·seu·reo·wo | lovable |
| 심장이 | sim·jang·i | heart |
| 아름다워 | a·reum·da·wo | beautiful |
| 오면 | o·myeon | when it comes |
| 지금부터 | ji·geum·bu·teo | from now |
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Questions about “강남스타일”
What is “강남스타일” by PSY about?
PSY’s “강남스타일” (Gangnam Style) is a playful, boastful portrait of a man who looks refined by day and goes wild at night.
What does “커피 한 잔의 여유를 아는 품격 있는 여자” mean in “강남스타일”?
A classy girl who knows how to enjoy a cup of coffee. 여유 alone means 'margin' or 'spare room', but next to coffee it means a relaxed, unhurried pleasure.
What does “커피 식기도 전에 원샷 때리는 사나이” mean in “강남스타일”?
A guy who downs his coffee in one shot before it even cools. 원샷 is 'one shot', meaning to drink it all at once, and 때리다 alone means 'to hit'.
How do you pronounce “오 오 오 오 오빤 강남스타일”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “o o o o o·ppan gang·nam·seu·ta·il”: that's how it's actually sung by PSY, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “강남스타일” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Haru goes through all 59 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
- PSY
- Official video
- officialpsy · 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.