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Learn Korean with Gangnam Style Part 2: Psy’s Gentleman

가사 (Lyrics)

Ah~!
알랑가몰라 화끈해야 하는건지
알랑가몰라 말끔해야 하는건지
알랑가몰라 아리까리하까리
알랑가몰라 We Like We We We Like Party 해 ~

Verse 1 (Part 1)

The basic line: “알랑가몰라 왜 화끈해야 하는건지”

A proper sentence: “나는  [화끈]해야 하는건지 알런지몰라요.”
(I dunno if you know why I have to be so [hot.])

Every line actually begins with “I dunno if you know…” The red word is replaceable.

Also, in Psy’s lyrics, there is no subject in the sentence. The subject is kind of implied as “I” (나는). The “I dunno if you know” part (알랑가몰라) is put at the beginning of the sentence for lyrical emphasis of that phrase. Grammatically, that part belongs at the end of the sentence. This blog post does a good job explaining that part of the grammar. It’s also covered in TOPIK 150 as grammar rule 092 on page 267.

Additional Vocabulary:

  • 화끈 = hot
  • 말끔 = dapper (neat in trim or dress – typically of a male)
  • 알리까리하다 = confused (like something is in your brain somewhere, but you can’t quite think clearly)

The way he uses the last vocabulary: “아리까리하면 까리해” makes it sound like: “It’ll be a problem if you’re confused.

있잖아 말이야
이사람으로 말씀드리자면 말이야
용기 패기 똘끼 쟁이 말이야
너가 듣고픈말 하고픈게 난데 말이야
Damn! Girl! You so freakin sexy!

Verse 1 (Part 2)

The basic sentence ending: “말이야” = “I’m sayin’!” or “I’m talkin’ about!”

  • 있잖아 = grabs attention, with 말이야 = basically “Hey, you know what?” It’s a conversation opener.
  • 말씀드리자면 = 말씀드리다 (basic form) = “I will tell you about” 이사람 = “this guy”
  • 듣고픈말 = 듣고싶은말 = what you want to hear
  • 하고픈게 = 하고싶은게 = what you want to do
  • 난데 = “It’s me!”

Additional vocabulary:

  • 용기 = Courageous
  • 패기 = Ambitious
  • 똘끼 = (maybe) 똘아이 = Idiot (not quite sure about it)
  • 쟁이 = Fashion addict

Basically, Psy is bragging himself up in these lyrics. “Hey, baby. Let me tell you about this guy. He’s so courageous, ambitious, idiotic, and a fashion addict. Of course, he’s all the things you want to hear, and all the things you want to do. And he’s ME!”

Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a…
Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a…
Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman

알랑가몰라 미끈해야하는건지
알랑가몰라 쌔끈해야하는건지
알랑가몰라 달링 빨리와서 난리해
알랑가몰라 난리난리 났어 빨리해

Verse 2 (Part 1)

Additional vocabulary:

  • 미끈 = slippery, silky, smooth
  • 쌔끈 = sexy (slang)
  • 달링 = darling
  • 난리해 (slang) = 난리나다 (basic form) = uproar, crazy, loud
  • 빨리해 = hurry up

The last two lines basically say, “I dunno if you know, darling, come on and hurry make some noise with me. I dunno if you know it’s a crazy, crazy party hurry!”

있잖아 말이야
너의 머리 허리 다리 종아리 말이야
Good! feeling feeling? Good! 부드럽게 말이야
아주 그냥 헉소리나게 악소리 나게 말이야
Damn! Girl! I’m a party mafia!

Verse 2 (Part 1)

Additional vocabulary:

  • 머리 = head
  • 허리 = waist
  • 다리 = leg
  • 종아리 = calf (leg)
  • 부드럽게 = soft
  • 헉소리 = “Huck” sound
  • 악소리 = “Ack” sound

Additional grammar:

  • 소리나게 = adverb of 소리나다 (verb) = “hear the sound”

Psy compliments the girl’s head, waist, legs, and calves – calls them smooth and “good feeling.” Then goes on to say, “You’ll hear some ‘huck’ sound and some ‘ack’ sound.” Hmm, sounds like things are heating up in here. The translation on this site says, “I’ll make you gasp and I’ll make you scream.”

Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a…
Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a…
Ah Ah Ah Ah~ I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman

Gonna make you sweat.
Gonna make you wet.
You know who I am~ Wet PSY!

Gonna make you sweat.
Gonna make you wet.
You know who I am~ Wet PSY! Wet PSY! Wet PSY! Wet PSY! PSY! PSY! PSY!
Ah I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman

I’m a…
Ah I’m a

I’m a mother father gentleman
Mother father gentleman
Mother father gentleman

작사싸이
작곡싸이, 유건형
편곡유건형

Lyrics from Daum

Final vocabulary

  • 가사/작사 = lyrics
  • 작곡 = music (composition)
  • 편곡 = arrangement

Fun stuff you can do with your new Korean skills

  1. [알랑가몰라](왜) ____{해야 하는건지} = [I don’t know if you know](why){it has to be} _____ = Fill in the blank with any verb (if you use a non-하다 verb, you’ll have to change it appropriately).
    Example: 알랑가몰라 왜 공부해야하는건지 = “I dunno if you know why you have to study.”
    Example: 알랑가몰라 왜 야채를 먹어야하는건지 = “I dunno if you know why you have to eat your vegetables.”
  2. _____ 말이야 (my 2-year old son recently learned this one)
    Example: 자동차 말이야! = “I said it’s a car!”
  3. 나는 _______ (any of the new adjectives)
    Try this one for fun: 나는 쌔끈해! = “I’m super sexy!” (slang)
Disclaimer:

I’m just an Intermediate level Korean student who happens to get a kick out of studying the lyrics of a select few Korean songs. I usually try to have my (Korean) wife help me study the grammar and vocabulary before posting it. But, if there is anything I’ve missed or mistaken, please let me know.

So, what do you think?

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