[Korean Culture & Language] Ah-Puh

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Hello, this is Uptempo!


Summer is approaching, which is the ideal time for people to splash in the water and cool themselves. ‘Splash’ is an onomatopoeia that describes the sound of an object or a person hitting a liquid. ‘어푸’ is a Korean onomatopoeia that describes the sound of a person splashing or swimming in water. To be more specific, ‘어푸’ describes the sound a person produces when breathing in or out of the water, particularly when their breath strikes the water.


The following are the lyrics of IU’s ‘어푸(Ah-Puh)’:

I'm such a good surfer

가라앉지 않기
I tried not to fall/drown

비틀 비 비틀 거리다가 풍덩 uh
I stumble, s, stumble and splash

빠지더라도 구명복 따윈 졸업
Even if I drown, I have graduated from life jackets (I will not wear a life jacket).

I'm such a good surfer

휩쓸리지 않기
I will not be swept away

게워내더라도 지는 건 난 못 참아
It’s fine if I throw up, but I can’t stand losing.

제일 높은 파도 올라타타 라차차우아
Let’s get on the highest wave.

해일과 함께 사라질 타이밍 그건 내가 골라
I get to decide when to leave and get swept away by the tidal wave

무슨 소리 겁이 나기는, 재밌지 뭐
Did you ask if I was afraid? No, this is fun.

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