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Korean - Negation

Korean has a very systematic way of forming negatives, primarily using two main methods: Short Negation (using an adverb) and Long Negation (using a verb ending).

1. Short Negation (Adverbial Form)

This is the most common and concise way to form a negative, using the negative adverbs 안 (an) for general negation and 못 (mot) for inability.

A. 안 (An) - "Do not" / General Negation

The adverb 안 is placed directly before the verb or adjective.

Subject + Object + 안 + Verb/Adjective

  • Example 1 (Verb):

    • 저는 아침에 커피를 안 마셔요.
    • Jeo-neun achim-e keopi-reul an masyeoyo.
    • I don't drink coffee in the morning.

  • Example 2 (Adjective):

    • 날씨가 안 좋아요.
    • Nalssi-ga an joayo.
    • The weather is not good.

Special Case: 하다 Verbs

For many compound verbs that use 하다 (like 공부하다, 운동하다), the 안 is inserted between the noun and the 하다 verb:

Noun + 을/를 + 안 + 하다

  • Example 3:
    • 저는 숙제를 안 해요. (*Sukje-reul an haeyo* $\rightarrow$ *Sukje-an haeyo*)
    • I don't do homework.

B. 못 (Mot) - "Cannot" / Inability Negation

The adverb 못 is placed directly before the verb (but follows the same special rule for 하다 verbs). It expresses that the action cannot be done due to external circumstances or lack of ability.

  • Example 4 (Physical Inability):

    • 저는 운전을 못 해요.
    • Jeo-neun unjeon-eul mot haeyo.
    • I cannot drive. (I lack the ability/license).

  • Example 5 (Circumstance):

    • 배가 아파서 못 먹어요.
    • Bae-ga apaseo mot meogeoyo.
    • I can't eat because my stomach hurts.

2. Long Negation (Verbal Form)

This method is generally more formal, longer, and slightly more emphatic than the short form. It uses the ending ~지 않다 (ji an-da) for general negation and ~지 못하다 (ji mot-ha-da) for inability.

A. ~지 않다 (ji an-ta) - "Do not" / General Negation

The structure is formed by attaching ~지 않다 to the verb or adjective stem.

Verb/Adjective Stem + 지 않아요

  • Example 6 (Equivalent to 안 마셔요):
    • 저는 커피를 마시지 않아요.
    • Jeo-neun keopi-reul masiji anayo.
    • I do not drink coffee.

B. ~지 못하다 (ji mot-ha-da) - "Cannot" / Inability

The structure is formed by attaching ~지 못하다 to the verb stem.

Verb Stem + 지 못해요

  • Example 7 (Equivalent to 못 해요):
    • 저는 운전을 하지 못해요.
    • Jeo-neun unjeon-eul haji mot-haeyo.
    • I cannot do the driving.

Summary of Negative Forms

Type Structure Verb/Adjective Function/Meaning
Short Neg. (General) 안 + Verb/Adj. 안 가요, 안 예뻐요 Simple negation ("do not," "is not")
Short Neg. (Inability) 못 + Verb 못 가요, 못 만나요 Inability or circumstance ("cannot")
Long Neg. (General) Stem + 지 않다 가지 않아요 Formal/Emphatic negation
Long Neg. (Inability) Stem + 지 못하다 가지 못해요 Formal/Emphatic inability