Yes or Yes — TWICE: meaning, key lines and pronunciation
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in sync둘 중에 하나만 골라 Yes or yesdul jung·e ha·na·man gol·la Yes or yesChoose only one of the two — yes or yes?Listen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
TWICE's “Yes or Yes” is a playful ultimatum in which the singer hands her crush a choice where every option leads to her. She surprises even herself with how bold and selfish she has become, and she has already planned everything so he never has to worry. Her heart burns with curiosity, and the confident, teasing mood holds to the end, with the final call left in his hands.
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.
둘 중에 하나만 골라 Yes or yesListen from this lineRomanization (as sung): dul jung·e ha·na·man gol·la Yes or yes
Meaning: Choose only one of the two — yes or yes?
Words in this line- 둘dultwo
- 중에jung·eamong
- 하나만ha·na·manonly one
- 골라gol·lachoose
Word for word: two among only one choose yes or yes
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The literal version sounds clumsy because Korean puts the command 골라 (choose) at the very end, after 둘 중에 하나만 (only one of the two), dropping any subject. The line forces a choice between two options that are secretly both "yes" — there's no real way to refuse.
뭔가 이렇게 갖고 싶던 적 있었나, 있었나Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): mwon·ga i·reo·ke gat·kko sip·tteon jeok i·sseon·na, i·sseon·na
Meaning: When did I ever want something this badly? Did I?
Words in this line- 뭔가mwon·gasomething
- 이렇게i·reo·kethis much
- 갖고gat·kkohave
- 싶던sip·tteonwanted
- 적jeoktime
- 있었나,i·sseon·na,did I,
- 있었나i·sseon·nadid I
Word for word: something this much have wanted time did I, did I
Why it doesn't translate word for word: The clumsiness comes from 갖고 싶던 적 있었나, which chains "wanted to have" plus "a time" plus a past-experience question ending into one phrase, unlike English's split "have I ever wanted." She's asking herself if she's ever craved something this badly before. Key words: 갖고 싶던 (wanted to have) and 적 있었나 (was there ever a time).
선택지는 하나 자 선택은 네 맘Listen from this lineRomanization (as sung): seon·taek·jji·neun ha·na ja seon·tae·geun ne mam
Meaning: There's only one choice—the decision is yours.
Words in this line- 선택지는seon·taek·jji·neunoption
- 하나ha·naone
- 자jawell
- 선택은seon·tae·geunchoice
- 네neyour
- 맘mamheart
Word for word: Choice one, well, choice your heart.
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 선택지는 하나 (literally 'the option is one') is a paradox: the speaker offers a 'choice' but it's really an ultimatum with one option. 자 (a particle calling to action, like 'well' or 'come on') + 선택은 네 맘 (literally 'the choice is your heart') — 네 맘 is an idiom meaning 'your decision'. It sounds like the speaker is giving freedom, but it's actually pressure: 'decide, but I already know what answer I need'.
귀 기울여봐 무슨 소리가 들리지 않니Listen to the first verse — freeRomanization (as sung): gwi gi·u·ryeo·bwa mu·seun so·ri·ga deul·li·ji an·ni
Meaning: Listen carefully, don't you hear something?
Words in this line- 귀gwiear
- 기울여봐gi·u·ryeo·bwalisten
- 무슨mu·seunwhat
- 소리가so·ri·gasound
- 들리지deul·li·jiheard
- 않니an·ninot
Word for word: Ear incline, what sound is not heard?
Why it doesn't translate word for word: 귀 기울여봐 (listen) literally means 'incline your ear' but is an idiom for 'listen carefully'. 무슨 소리가 들리지 않니 (what sound is not heard) is a rhetorical question meaning 'can't you hear my voice?'
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Yes or Yes” — TWICE. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
A line from the song with one word missing: listen, then pick the right word. Mina checks your answer and saves the new words to your notebook.
Try the lessonAsk Mina about this song
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 MinaSong vocabulary
Words from the song in Korean alphabetical order, with pronunciation and meaning.
| Word | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 거야 | geo·ya | it is |
| 거절은 | geo·jeo·reun | rejection |
| 거절해 | geo·jeo·rae | rejection |
| 고를지 | go·reul·jji | to choose |
| 고민할 | go·min·hal | worry |
| 놀라 | nol·la | shocked, |
| 마음을 | ma·eu·meul | heart |
| 만족해 | man·jo·kae | satisfied, |
| 몰라 | mol·la | don't know |
| 선택을 | seon·tae·geul | choice |
| 선택해 | seon·tae·kae | choose |
| 싫어 | si·reo | I don't like |
| 싫어는 | si·reo·neun | I don't like |
| 아니면 | a·ni·myeon | or |
| 어서 | eo·seo | quickly |
| 존중해 | jon·jung·hae | I respect |
| 준비해봤어 | jun·bi·hae·bwa·sseo | prepared |
| 해줄게 | hae·jul·kke | I'll do |
Keep these 18 words
Make a free account and the words from “Yes or Yes” go to your study notebook with spaced review, so they come back right before you forget them.
Create a free accountWith Google, Apple or email · 10 seconds
Questions about “Yes or Yes”
What is “Yes or Yes” by TWICE about?
TWICE's “Yes or Yes” is a playful ultimatum in which the singer hands her crush a choice where every option leads to her.
What does “둘 중에 하나만 골라 Yes or yes” mean in “Yes or Yes”?
Choose only one of the two — yes or yes? The literal version sounds clumsy because Korean puts the command 골라 (choose) at the very end, after 둘 중에 하나만 (only one of the two), dropping any subject.
What does “뭔가 이렇게 갖고 싶던 적 있었나, 있었나” mean in “Yes or Yes”?
When did I ever want something this badly? Did I? The clumsiness comes from 갖고 싶던 적 있었나, which chains "wanted to have" plus "a time" plus a past-experience question ending into one phrase, unlike English's…
How do you pronounce “선택지는 하나 자 선택은 네 맘”?
In the song it sounds roughly like “seon·taek·jji·neun ha·na ja seon·tae·geun ne mam”: that's how it's actually sung by TWICE, not the textbook romanization.
Where can I see every line of “Yes or Yes” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Mina goes through all 73 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
- TWICE
- Official video
- JYP Entertainment · 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.