Gangnam Style: Its Meaning and Romanized Lyrics

So you’ve probably heard the infectious song “Gangnam Style” by South Korean sensation Psy, and may have even tried the “cheesy” dance steps, but you probably have no idea what the song is about. Well, to clear things up a little bit, the song is about living life “Gangnam style”. Gangnam is one of the most affluent and posh areas in South Korea that can be equated to Beverly Hills in California, USA. In his song, the singer talks about women who are very prim and proper during the day but let their hair down when night comes. He says he likes girls who are classy but who can also be sultry at the right time. He further goes on to say that he likes women who dress up by covering themselves appropriately but can be more sensual than women who wear revealing clothes.

Those who watch Korean movies and dramas are probably very familiar with the word “Oppa”. This is an affectionate word used by females to refer to their elder brothers or males who are older than them; often even boyfriends. The singer is referring to himself as “Oppa” saying “Oppa is living life Gangnam Style.”

Since my knowledge of the Korean language is very limited, I cannot translate the whole song word for word, but since I know how to read and write Hangul (Korean script) I have tried my best to write the lyrics in romanized form for those who want to learn the lyrics or sing along.

 

강남스타일

Gangnam Style

낮에는 따사로운 인간적인 여자

Najeneun ttasaroun inganjeogin yeoja

커피 한잔의 여유를 아는 품격 있는 여자

Coffee hanjaney  yeoyooreul aneun phoomgyeok itneun yeoja

밤이 오면 심장이 뜨거워지는 여자

Bami omyeon simjangi teugeowojineun yeoja

그런 반전 있는 여자

Kheureon banjin itneun yeoja

 

나는 사나이

Naneun sana-ee

낮에는 너만큼 따사로운 그런 사나이

Najeneun neo-man-kheum tasaro-oon kheureon sana-ee

커피 신기도 전에 워샷 때리는 사나이

Coffee sigido jeon-ey  wonsyas tterineun sana-ee

밤이 오면 심장이 터져버리는 사나이

Bami omyeon simjangi theojyeobeorineun sana-ee

그런 사나이

Kheureon Sana-ee

 

아름다워 사랑스라워

Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo

그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey

Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey

 

아름다워 사랑스라워

Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo

그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey

Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey

지금부터 갈 데까지 가볼까

Jigeum bootheo khal tekkaji khabolkka

 

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

강남스타일

Gangnam style.

 

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

강남스타일

Gangnam style

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

Ay Sexy Lady

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

Ay Sexy Lady

에 에 에 에 에 에

Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay

 

정숙해 보이지만 놀 땐노는 여자

Jeongsookhey bo-i-jiman nol tten noneun yeoja

이때다 싶으면 묶었던 머리 푸는 여자

Ittaeda sipheumyeon mookeot-teon meori phooneun yeoja

가렸지만 웬만한노출보다 야한 여자

Kharyeotijiman wenmanhan-no choolboda yahan yeoja

그런 감간적인 여자

Kheureon khamgakjeokin yeoja

 

 

나는 사나이

Naneun sana-ee

점잖아 보이지만 놀 땐노는 사나이

Jamjanha bo-i-jiman nol tten noneun sana-ee

때가 되면 완전 미쳐버리는사나이

Ttega toimyeon michyeobeorineun sana-ee

근육보다 사상이 울퉁불퉁한사나이

Kheunyookboda sasangi ool-thoong-bool-thoong han sana-ee

그런사나이

Kheureon sana-ee

 

아름다워 사랑스라워

Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo

그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey

Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey

 

 

아름다워 사랑스라워

Areumdawuo sarangseurawuo

그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey

Kheurey neo hey kheurey baro neo hey

지금부터 갈 데까지 가볼까

Jigeum bootheo khal tekkaji khabolkka

 

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

강남스타일

Gangnam style

 

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

 

강남스타일

Gangnam style

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

Ay Sexy Lady

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

 

Ay Sexy Lady

에 에 에 에 에 에

Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay

 

뛰는 놈 그 위에 나는 놈

Ttwineun nom kheuwi-ey naneun nom

Baby baby

나는 뭘 좀 아는 놈

Naneun mual jom aneun nom

 

뛰는 놈 그 위에 나는 놈

Ttwineun nom kheuwi-ey naneun nom

Baby baby

나는 뭘 좀 아는 놈

Naneun mual jom aneun nom

 

 

You know what I’m saying

 

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

Ay Sexy Lady

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style

 

Ay Sexy Lady

오빤 강남스타일

Oppan Gangnam style.

0 thoughts on “Gangnam Style: Its Meaning and Romanized Lyrics”

  1. thankyou! i have an 11yr old girl who is completely into this song and naturally i wanted to know what exactly was “brainwashing” my kids these days. encouraging her to google it, the 1st hit landed as “condom-style”, leaving her completely embarrassed. after regrouping her we next found this translation. im thrilled to know that a song this popular has such a positive message. i give you all the prop for not butchering translations.

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