en_tn/sng/02/17.md

# my beloved

This phrase refers to the man whom the woman loves. In some languages it may be more natural for her to refer to him as "my lover." See how you translated this in [Song of Songs 1:13](./12.md). Alternate translation: "my dear one" or "my lover"

# before the day breathes

"before dawn" or "before daybreak"

# the shadows flee away

The woman describes the shadows as though they were running away from the light of the sun. Alternate translation: "the shadows disappear" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# like a gazelle or a young stag

See how you translated this in [Song of Songs 2:9](./08.md).

# gazelle

an animal that looks like a deer and moves quickly. Translate as the singular of "gazelles" as in [Song of Songs 2:7](./07.md).

# stag

an adult male deer

# rugged mountains

"rocky mountains" or "rough mountains"