Translation of RM’s Bicycle

Sara B
2 min readJun 7, 2021

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Note: This translation should be read in combination with others for comprehension.

두 발을 구르며
Two feet rolling while

볼 수 없는 그댈 마주해
[I] encounter [whom I] cannot see

[Notes: The lyrics point to seeing someone who he can not see. That someone is directed to a form of “you” that can be read as poetic, respectful or romantic. It’s not a form commonly used outside of poetry or songs. My theory is that the precious “you” that RM cannot see is himself. Previously he spoke about learning how to be alone and befriend himself.]

언제나처럼 날
Like always, I

맞아주는 몇 센치의 떨림
am greeted for a few centimeters of trembling

I wanna keep the bass down low

벌써 내 마음은 주말 mode
My heart & mind, already in weekend mode

I don’t see no open cars, no open bars

나쁘지 않아 온전히 혼자인 road
It’s not bad, wholly alone [on this] road

섬처럼 떠있는 사람들의 마음
People’s hearts & minds, floating like islands

어쩌면 오지 않을 듯한 밤
As if the night might not come

지평선을 걸어가 또 굴러가
[I] walk [to] the horizon and roll again

우리가 정한 저 소실점으로
To that vanishing point we’ve set on

슬프면 자전거를 타자
Let’s ride a bicycle when [you’re] sad

바람을 두 발 아래 두자
Let’s leave the wind under [our] two feet

오 자전거를 타자
Oh, let’s ride a bicycle

두 팔을 자유로이 벌리며
Two arms, spread freely

나 나나나 나나나
Na NaNaNa NaNaNa

나나나나나
NaNaNaNa

나나나 나나나 나나나
NaNaNa NaNaNa NaNaNa

나나나나나
NaNaNaNa

가끔은 굴러가게 둬
Now and then, let it roll

자전거 바퀴처럼
Like the wheel of a bicycle

찾을 게 있어
There’s something to find

오후의 간식처럼
Like an afternoon snack

이 작은 순간을 위해 살아온 것 같아
It’s like [I’ve] been living for this small moment

두 바퀴 위에선 다 사사로운 한낮의 꿈
On top of two wheels, [it’s] all a private daydream

Feel the roof, smell the truth

멀지 않아 기적은
A miracle is not far away

어떤 얼굴을 해도 지금은 괜찮아
No matter what face [I] make right now, it’s ok

진짜 소중한 건 눈에 보이지 않아
What’s truly precious can’t be seen with eyes

땅에서 발을 떼
Remove [your] feet from the ground

저 새를 닮은 태
Resembling the shape of that bird

섬처럼 떠있기로 해
Decide to float like an island

바람을 따라 춤춰
Follow the wind to dance

Yeah 울어도 돼
Yeah [you] can cry

원래 행복하면 슬퍼
When [we’re] happy, [we’re] by nature sad

[Notes: By nature could also be translated as “originally”.]

슬프면 자전거를 타자
Let’s ride a bicycle when [you’re] sad

바람을 두 발 아래 두자
Let’s leave the wind under [our] two feet

오 자전거를 타자
Oh, let’s ride a bicycle

두 팔을 자유로이 벌리며
Two arms, spread freely

나 나나나 나나나
Na NaNaNa NaNaNa

나나나나나
NaNaNaNaNa

나나나 나나나 나나나
NaNaNa NaNaNa NaNaNa

나나나나나
NaNaNaNaNa

나나나 나나나
NaNaNa NaNaNa

라라라라라
LaLaLaLaLa

나나나 나나나
NaNaNa NaNaNa

라라라라라
LaLaLaLaLA

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Sara B
Sara B

Written by Sara B

Translating & reflecting on BTS-related content to help non-Korean speakers to get a feel of the language used

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