Breakin' Dishes – English Lyrics

• By: Rihanna
• Album: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the electrifying energy of Rihanna's "Breakin' Dishes" and let its vivid lyrics transport you into a story of intense emotion. This track offers a unique opportunity to grasp English expressions related to anger, frustration, and empowerment. Its direct and impactful storytelling, combined with Rihanna's fierce delivery, makes it an unforgettable song for understanding colloquial language and emotional expression in English. What makes it truly special is its recent viral resurgence, proving that powerful messages and memorable hooks transcend time and connect with new audiences.

[English]

Ow-ow (ow-ow)

Ow-ow (ow-ow)

Ow-ow (ow-ow-ow)

I don't know who you think I am

I don't know who you think I am

I don't know who you think I am

I don't know who you think I am, am, am, am, am, am, am, am, am (ow)

He been gone (g-g-gone) since 3:30 (3:30)

Been comin' home lately at 3:30 (3:30)

I'm super cool, I've been a fool

But now I'm hot and baby, you gon' get it

Now I ain't trippin', I, I ain't twisted, I

I ain't demented, huh, well, just a lil' bit, huh

I'm kickin'-, I'm takin' names

I'm on flame, don't come home, babe

I'm breakin' dishes up in here, all night (uh-huh)

I ain't gon' stop until I see police lights (uh-huh)

I'ma fight a man tonight, I'ma fight a man tonight

I'ma fight a man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

A man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an, oh

I'm still waitin', come through the door

I'm killin' time, you know, bleachin' your clothes

I'm roastin' marshmallows on the fire

And what I'm burnin', ah, is your attire

I'm gettin' restless, I'm gettin' tested

And I can't believe he's always out every night and never checks in

Is he cheatin'? Man, I don't know

I'm lookin' 'round for somethin' else to throw

I'm breakin' dishes up in here, all night (uh-huh)

I ain't gon' stop until I see police lights (uh-huh)

I'ma fight a man tonight, I'ma fight a man tonight

I'ma fight a man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

A man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an, oh

...

(Ah) I don't know who you think I am (I don't know who you think I am)

But I really don't give a damn right now

(Ah) if you don't come, I'ma huff and puff

And blow this, blow this, oh, blow this, blow this

I'ma blow this, blow this, oh, blow this, blow this

I'ma blow this, blow this, oh, blow this house, house down

Dishes, breakin' dishes, breakin' dishes

I'm breakin' dishes up in here, all night (uh-huh)

I ain't gon' stop until I see police lights (uh-huh)

I'ma fight a man tonight, I'ma fight a man tonight

I'ma fight a man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

A man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

Fight a man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

A man, a man, a ma-e-a-a-an

Breakin', breakin', breakin', breakin' (dishes, dishes, dishes)

Breakin', breakin', breakin', breakin' (dishes, dishes, dishes)

Breakin', breakin', breakin', breakin' (dishes, dishes, dishes)

Breakin', breakin', breakin', breakin' (dishes, dishes, dishes)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces suddenly or forcibly
dishes /ˈdɪʃɪz/ A1	noun - plates, bowls, and other tableware
fight /faɪt/ A1	verb - to take part in a physical conflict
throw /θroʊ/ A1	verb - to propel something through the air with force
burn /bɜːrn/ A1	verb - to be damaged or destroyed by fire
restless /ˈrɛstlɪs/ B1	adjective - unable to rest or relax due to anxiety
cheatin /ˈtʃitin/ A2	verb - to be unfaithful in a relationship
kickin /ˈkɪkɪn/ B1	verb - to strike out with the foot
flame /fleɪm/ A2	noun - the visible part of a fire
attire /əˈtaɪr/ B2	noun - clothing, especially formal or elaborate
tested /ˈtɛstɪd/ B1	verb - to try the quality or effectiveness of something
bleachin /ˈbliːtʃɪn/ B2	verb - to make something white or lighter by chemical action
roastin /ˈroʊstɪn/ A2	verb - to cook food with dry heat
marshmallows /ˈmɑːrʃmɛloʊz/ B1	noun - a sweet, soft, spongy confection
trippin /ˈtrɪpɪn/ B2	verb - to behave in an irrational or confused manner

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't know who you think I am

  ➔ Present Simple (negative)

  ➔ The negative form "don't" is used with the present simple to express a lack of knowledge.

• He been gone since 3:30

  ➔ Present Perfect (colloquial omission of "has")

  ➔ The word "been" shows the present perfect tense, even though "has" is omitted in this informal speech.

• I've been a fool

  ➔ Present Perfect

  ➔ "I've" = "I have" plus the past participle "been" shows a state that began in the past and continues now.

• I'm breakin' dishes up in here, all night

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ "breakin'" (breaking) is the -ing form showing an ongoing action in the present.

• I ain't gon' stop until I see police lights

  ➔ Future intention ('going to')

  ➔ "gon'" is a colloquial contraction of "going to", showing a planned future action.

• I'ma fight a man tonight

  ➔ Future intention ('going to')

  ➔ "I'ma" is an informal contraction of "I am going to", used to express a future action.

• I'm lookin' 'round for something else to throw

  ➔ Present Continuous + Phrasal verb "look around"

  ➔ "lookin' 'round" is the -ing form of the phrasal verb "look around", indicating an ongoing search.

• I can't believe he's always out every night

  ➔ Modal verb "can" (negative)

  ➔ "can't" is the negative form of the modal verb "can", expressing inability or disbelief.

• if you don't come, I'ma huff and puff

  ➔ First Conditional

  ➔ "if" + present simple "don't" + future intention "I'ma" forms a first conditional, describing a possible future result.