살기 위해서 – Bilingual Lyrics Korean/English

• By: Noel
• Album: Padam Padam (Original Television Soundtrack) Pt. 1

Lyrics & Translation

Learning Korean through "살기 위해서" offers a deep dive into expressive and emotional language. The song's powerful lyrics about love and survival provide a unique way to understand nuanced expressions of desperation and devotion in Korean. Its connection to the popular drama "Padam Padam" also offers a cultural context that makes learning both engaging and memorable.

[English]

My heart is beating so fast like this,

It seems like you've visited my heart.

Though our love passes by again,

You're the person I miss most in the world.

Without realizing it, I'm calling your name.

I want it, I need to, in order to live.

Even if this love hurts, I'll wait here.

Because love, even far away, will meet someday.

I feel like I'll die without you, so I have to live.

Why did tears fall for no reason?

Why did my heart have to hurt so much?

I want to run to you now and tell you.

I want it, I need to, in order to live.

Even if this love hurts, I'll wait here.

Because love, even far away, will meet someday.

I feel like I'll die without you, that's why I love you.

I'm afraid I won't be able to see you again.

I'm scared you'll disappear like smoke.

I want it, I need to, in order to live.

You're the one who keeps me alive.

Even my tears, I'm thankful for, because you gave them to me.

Even with the longing, I'm happy.

To live.

I love you.

...

[Korean]

내가 이렇게도 가슴이 뛰는 건

그대가 내 마음에 다녀 갔었나 봐

우리 사랑은 또 스쳐가지만

세상에서 가장 그리운 사람

내가 어느새 그대 이름을 불러

원합니다 내가 살기 위해서

그 사랑이 아파도 기다릴께 여기서

사랑이란 멀리 있어도 언젠간 만날 테니까

니가 없으면 죽을 것 같아서 살기 위해서

왜 이유 없이 눈물이 났는지

그렇게 가슴 아파야 했는지

지금 달려가 꼭 말해주고 싶어

원합니다 내가 살기 위해서

그 사랑이 아파도 기다릴께 여기서

사랑이란 멀리 있어도 언젠간 만날 테니까

니가 없으면 죽을 것 같아서 널 사랑해서

두 번 다신 못 보게 될 까봐

연기처럼 니가 사라질까봐 난 두려워

원합니다 내가 살기 위해서

날 살게 해준 사람 바로 그대입니다

눈물마저 고맙습니다 그대가 준 것이니까

그리움 조차 나는 행복해서

살기 위해서

널 사랑해

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
가슴 /kasɯm/ A2	noun - chest, breast; heart (feeling)
뛰다 /ttwida/ A2	verb - to run, to jump; to beat (heart)
마음 /maɯm/ A1	noun - heart; mind
사랑 /saɾaŋ/ A1	noun - love verb - to love
그리운 /kɯɾiuːn/ B1	adjective - longed for, missed
이름 /iɾɯm/ A1	noun - name
살다 /salda/ A1	verb - to live
아프다 /apɯda/ A2	adjective - to be painful, to hurt
기다리다 /kidariːda/ A2	verb - to wait
만나다 /mannada/ A1	verb - to meet
죽다 /tɕuk̚t͈a/ A2	verb - to die
눈물 /nunmul/ A2	noun - tear
달려가다 /talleogada/ A2	verb - to run (to)
두렵다 /tuɾjʌp̚t͈a/ B1	adjective - to be afraid, to be scared
행복하다 /hɛŋbokʰada/ A2	adjective - to be happy
연기 /jʌn.gi/ B1	noun - smoke

Key Grammar Structures

• 내가 이렇게도 가슴이 뛰는 건

  ➔ 는 건/은 건 (-neun geon/-eun geon): Grammatical construction indicating that the reason for something follows.

  ➔ The structure "뛰는 건" (ttwineun geon) implies "the reason my heart is beating like this is..."

• 그대가 내 마음에 다녀 갔었나 봐

  ➔ -(았/었/였)나 보다 (-(ass/eoss/yeoss)na boda): Grammatical construction expressing supposition based on evidence.

  ➔ "갔었나 봐" (gasseotna bwa) implies "I guess you must have visited my heart". The speaker infers this based on the feeling they have.

• 우리 사랑은 또 스쳐가지만

  ➔ -지만 (-jiman): Grammatical suffix meaning "but" or "although", indicating a contrast.

  ➔ The use of "-지만" (jiman) indicates a contrast: although their love passes by again, the following statement still holds true.

• 세상에서 가장 그리운 사람

  ➔ -(으)ㄴ/는 (-(eu)n/neun): Attributive form used to modify nouns. Here, it modifies the noun '사람 (saram)'

  ➔ "그리운 (geuriun)" is the attributive form of "그립다 (geuripda)", meaning "to miss". It modifies the noun "사람 (saram)" meaning person, to convey "the person who is missed".

• 내가 어느새 그대 이름을 불러

  ➔ -아/어/여서 (-a/eo/yeoseo): Because, so, and then (linking verb clauses with a cause-and-effect relationship or a sequence of actions)

  ➔ The phrase "불러" (bulleo) means "call", so the entire phrase "내가 어느새 그대 이름을 불러" implies "I unconsciously call your name". The following clause is linked to it with the implication the action results in the next sentence's action or state. Note, the connection in meaning is somewhat weak in this specific line, often used more for sequence than direct causation.

• 원합니다 내가 살기 위해서

  ➔ -(기) 위해서 (-(gi) wihaeseo): Grammatical construction meaning "in order to", "for the purpose of".

  ➔ "살기 위해서 (salgi wihaeseo)" means "in order to live" or "for the purpose of living".

• 그 사랑이 아파도 기다릴께 여기서

  ➔ -(ㄹ/을)게(요) (-(l/eul)ge(yo)): Grammatical ending expressing the speaker's intention or promise.

  ➔ "기다릴께 (gidarilge)" means "I will wait". The "-(ㄹ/을)게(요)" indicates a strong intention from the speaker.

• 사랑이란 멀리 있어도 언젠간 만날 테니까

  ➔ -(ㄹ/을) 테니까 (-(l/eul) tenikka): Grammatical construction expressing intention, assumption or future prediction followed by a consequence.

  ➔ "만날 테니까 (mannal tenikka)" means "because we will meet someday". The speaker believes in the inevitable reunion, providing a reason or justification for a previous statement.