L*** Is A Bad Word – English Lyrics

• By: Kiiara

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the nuances of emotional expression in relationships through Kiiara's "L*** Is A Bad Word." This song offers a great opportunity to learn vocabulary related to feelings of frustration and insecurity in a modern pop context. Its straightforward lyrics and relatable theme make it an accessible and engaging song for language learners.

[English]

You're running, running away from me

There's so much, so much that we could be

But you seem terrified of what you feel inside

You're running, running away from me

Like love is a bad word

...

You're holding, holding your tongue with me

You're causing a state of emergency

I need your voice right now

To wash away my doubt

You're holding, holding your tongue

Like love is a bad word

...

I can't help but wonder what's been on your mind, yeah

Like you're sabotaging every time it's right

I don't understand why you lie

You've been getting wasted 'cause you don't wanna face this

...

You're holding, holding your tongue with me

You're causing a state of emergency

...

Love is a bad word

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot verb - to manage or operate (a business, system, etc.)
terrified /ˈtɛrɪfaɪd/ B1	adjective - feeling extreme fear
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of deep affection verb - to feel deep affection for
bad /bæd/ A1	adjective - of poor quality or low standard adjective - unpleasant or unwelcome
word /wɜːrd/ A1	noun - a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to grasp, carry, or support verb - to keep back or restrain (e.g., 'hold one's tongue')
tongue /tʌŋ/ A2	noun - the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth, used for tasting, eating, and speaking noun - (idiom 'hold one's tongue') to refrain from speaking
emergency /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/ B1	noun - a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action
doubt /daʊt/ B1	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction verb - to feel uncertain about
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the private inner working of a person, responsible for thought, feeling, and consciousness noun - (idiom 'on one's mind') occupying one's thoughts or concerns
sabotage /ˈsæbətɑːʒ/ C1	verb - to deliberately prevent something from being successful or to destroy it
lie /laɪ/ A2	verb - to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive noun - an intentionally false statement
wasted /ˈweɪstɪd/ B2	adjective - (informal) intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
face /feɪs/ B1	verb - to confront or deal with (a difficult situation or person) noun - the front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin
seem /siːm/ A2	verb - give the impression of being; appear to be
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
wonder /ˈwʌndər/ B1	verb - to desire to know something; feel curious noun - a feeling of surprise and admiration caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A1	verb - to perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)

Key Grammar Structures

• You're "running", running away from me

  ➔ Present continuous (be + verb‑ing) for actions happening now

  ➔ "running" shows an ongoing action at the moment of speaking.

• There's so much, so much that we could "be"

  ➔ Modal verb "could" + base verb for possibility

  ➔ "could" expresses a hypothetical or potential state: "could be" = might be.

• But you "seem" terrified of what you feel inside

  ➔ Verb "seem" + adjective phrase to describe perception

  ➔ "seem" is used to give an impression: you appear terrified.

• Like love is a "bad" word

  ➔ Simile with "like" + adjective + noun

  ➔ "bad" is highlighted to show the quality assigned to "word" in the simile.

• I can't help but "wonder" what's been on your mind

  ➔ Idiomatic structure "can't help but" + base verb

  ➔ "wonder" is the verb that follows the idiom, meaning "cannot refrain from thinking".

• You've been "getting" wasted 'cause you don't wanna face this

  ➔ Present perfect continuous (have/has been + verb‑ing) for ongoing past action

  ➔ "getting" shows the ongoing nature of the action "getting wasted" up to now.

• To "wash" away my doubt

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose (to + verb) expressing intention

  ➔ "wash" is the verb in the infinitive phrase, showing the purpose of the action.

• "You're" causing a state of emergency

  ➔ Present continuous with gerund as noun (causing) to describe effect

  ➔ "causing" functions as a noun describing the result of your action.