A2 · 初中級 チャプター 13

Mastering Negation and Prohibitions

6 トータルルール
64 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power to say no, express limits, and give instructions in Korean confidently.

  • Construct simple negative sentences using '안' and '-지 않다'.
  • Differentiate between unwillingness and inability using '못' and '-지 못하다'.
  • Formulate polite negative commands to guide others safely.
Say no like a pro in Korean!

学べること

Hey friend! You've already mastered a bunch of Korean words and sentences, right? Awesome! But have you ever wanted to say you *don't* eat something, *can't* do something, or absolutely *shouldn't* do something? In this chapter, we're diving into a super important and practical part of Korean: negation and prohibitions! First, you'll learn how to use '안' and '-지 않다' to say you *don't* do something – for example, "I don't drink coffee." Then, we'll tackle situations where you *can't* do something. You'll distinguish between expressing a genuine inability (with '~지 못하다') and politely declining due to circumstances or unwillingness (with '못'), like saying "unfortunately, I can't." These rules are like puzzle pieces, each filling a specific slot so you can accurately negate or prohibit anything you need. Imagine you're at a Korean restaurant and want to say, "I don't eat meat.

Or your friend asks,
Are you coming out tonight?
and you need to say,
No, I can't come" because you have other plans. You'll even learn how to give negative commands like "Don't touch this! or Don't worry!" By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently be able to negate any sentence, talk about your inabilities, and even give negative instructions to others, all correctly and appropriate for the social context. Ready to level up your Korean conversations? Let's get started!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Express personal preferences and decline invitations using correct negative sentence structures.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! Welcome to a super practical and essential chapter in your A2 Korean grammar journey: mastering negation and prohibitions. You've already built a fantastic foundation in Korean, forming sentences and expressing yourself.
Now, it's time to learn how to say what you *don't* do, what you *can't* do, and what you *shouldn't* do! This skill is incredibly useful in daily conversations, whether you're ordering food, declining an invitation, or giving instructions.
Understanding Korean negation isn't just about swapping a positive verb for a negative one; it involves specific particles and endings that convey different nuances. We'll explore the versatile 안 and the slightly more formal -지 않다 for general negation, helping you say things like "I don't eat meat or I don't like it." Then, we'll dive into expressing inability or unwillingness with 못 and -지 못하다, so you can confidently explain "I can't go or I can't speak Korean well." Finally, you'll learn how to issue negative commands using -지 말다, perfect for saying "Don't worry!" By the end of this chapter, you'll have a robust toolkit for negating sentences accurately and appropriately, significantly boosting your conversational confidence. Get ready to refine your Korean!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core mechanisms of Korean negation and prohibition. First up, for general not doing something, you have two main options: "Korean Negation: How to use 'Not' (안) and Polite Negation: Saying 'Not' Professionally (-지 않다)". The short form, 안, is placed directly before the verb or adjective, but *after* the noun in compound verbs (e.g., 공부하다 (to study) becomes 공부 안 하다).
For example, 저는 커피 안 마셔요 (I don't drink coffee). The long form, -지 않다, is attached to the stem of the verb or adjective. This form is often considered slightly more formal or explicit than 안.
For instance, 저는 커피를 마시지 않아요 (I don't drink coffee). Both convey the same meaning but offer different stylistic choices.
Next, when you want to express inability or circumstances preventing an action, you'll use "I Can't! Korean Negation with 'Mot' (못) and Formal Negation: Cannot (-지 못하다)". Similar to 안, 못 is a short form placed before the verb or adjective, *after* the noun in compound verbs.
It means cannot due to a lack of ability or an external obstacle. Example: 저는 한국어를 못 해요 (I can't speak Korean (well)). The long form, -지 못하다, is attached to the verb stem and also means cannot, often emphasizing a physical or circumstantial inability.
For example, 저는 한국어를 말하지 못해요 (I cannot speak Korean). While often interchangeable with 못, -지 못하다 can feel a bit more formal or literary.
Finally, for giving negative commands or prohibitions, we use "Negative Commands: Don't do it! (-지 말다)
. This ending is attached to the verb stem and means
Don't do X." It's crucial for telling someone not to perform an action.
For example, 걱정하지 마세요 (Don't worry). Remember to use the appropriate politeness level with the ending (e.g., -세요 for polite, -아/어요 for informal, -라/지 마 for casual). Mastering these forms will make your A2 Korean conversations much more precise.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 저는 안 공부해요.
✓ Correct: 저는 공부 안 해요.
*Explanation:* For compound verbs (like 공부하다, which is noun + 하다), 안 should be placed *before* the 하다 part, after the noun. It's not 안 + verb, but noun + 안 하다.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 저는 오늘 못 가요. (when you mean you don't want to go)
✓ Correct: 저는 오늘 안 가요. (or 가지 않아요)
*Explanation:* 못 specifically implies an inability or external circumstance preventing an action ("can't"). If you simply don't *want* to do something, or choose not to, 안 (or -지 않다) is the correct choice.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 만지지 안 하세요!
✓ Correct: 만지지 마세요!
*Explanation:* For direct negative commands ("Don't do X!"), you must use the -지 말다 form. 안 하다 is for stating that you *don't* do something, not for instructing someone else *not* to do it.

Real Conversations

A

A

오늘 저녁에 영화 보러 갈까요? (Shall we go see a movie tonight?)
B

B

미안해요. 저는 오늘 시간이 없어서 못 가요. (Sorry. I don't have time today, so I can't go.)
A

A

이 음식 매워요. 안 먹을 거예요? (This food is spicy. Won't you eat it?)
B

B

네, 저는 매운 음식을 잘 먹지 못해요. (Yes, I can't eat spicy food well.)
A

A

저기 만지지 마세요! (Please don't touch over there!)
B

B

아, 죄송합니다. 몰랐어요. (Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between 안 and -지 않다 for general negation in A2 Korean?

While both mean not, 안 is generally shorter and more common in casual spoken Korean, often placed directly before the verb/adjective. -지 않다 is slightly more formal or literary and is attached to the verb/adjective stem.

Q

Can I use 못 with any verb to say "can't"?

Yes, 못 can be used with most action verbs to express inability or external circumstances preventing an action. However, it's not typically used with descriptive verbs (adjectives), where 안 or -지 않다 would be used to negate the description (e.g., 안 예쁘다 - not pretty).

Q

Is -지 말다 always impolite?

No, the politeness depends on the ending you attach to 말다. -지 마세요 is polite, -지 마요 is less formal polite, and -지 마 is informal/casual. So you can give polite negative commands.

Q

How do I express "I don't like it" in Korean?

You can say 안 좋아해요 (I don't like it) or 좋아하지 않아요 (I don't like it). Both are correct!

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, the choice between 안/못 and -지 않다/-지 못하다 often subtly reflects formality and emphasis. While 안 and 못 are common in everyday, casual speech, the longer -지 않다 and -지 못하다 can sound a bit more considered or even slightly formal, especially in written contexts or when speaking to elders or superiors. When giving negative commands with -지 말다, it's crucial to use the appropriate politeness level (e.g., -지 마세요 for politeness) to avoid sounding rude, as direct commands can be perceived harshly if not softened.

重要な例文 (8)

1

저는 오늘 학교에 안 가요.

私は今日、学校に行きません。

韓国語の否定形：「〜ない」の使い方 (안)
2

그 드라마 안 봤어요.

そのドラマは見ませんでした。

韓国語の否定形：「〜ない」の使い方 (안)
3

Jeoneun maeun eumsigeul meokji anayo.

私は辛い食べ物を食べません。

長い否定形: -지 않다
4

Geu yeonghwaneun jaemiitji anayo.

その映画は面白くないです。

長い否定形: -지 않다
5

저는 아침을 `먹지 않아요`.

私は朝ごはんを食べません。

丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)
6

이 시험은 `어렵지 않아요`.

この試験は難しくありません。

丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)
7

I can't eat spicy food.

私は辛いものが食べられません。

できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現
8

I can't watch Netflix because the WiFi isn't working.

Wi-Fiが繋がらなくて、ネットフリックスが見られません。

できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現

ヒントとコツ (4)

⚠️

スペルの落とし穴

«않» を単独で使うことはありません。それは必ず «-지 않다» の一部です。短い否定形を作る時は、いつも «안» を使いましょう。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の否定形：「〜ない」の使い方 (안)
🎯

不規則活用もそのまま！

«-지» が続くので、不規則動詞（걷다, 덥다など）も語幹の形を変えずにそのまま使えます。覚えるのが楽になりますね！ «걷지 않아요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長い否定形: -지 않다
🎯

「하다動詞」の強い味方

「안」を使う時は「공부 안 해요」のように分けますが、この形なら 「공부하지 않아요」 と最後に付けるだけでOK。書き言葉でもスッキリ見えます！
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)
💡

角を立てない断り方

誘いを断る時、«안 가요»（行かない）と言うと冷たく聞こえますが、«못 가요»（行けない）と言えば「行きたいけど無理なんだ」というニュアンスで角が立ちません。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現

重要な語彙 (5)

먹다 (meokda) to eat 가다 (gada) to go 보다 (boda) to see/watch 하다 (hada) to do 만지다 (manjida) to touch

Real-World Preview

utensils

Restaurant Order

Review Summary

  • 안 + Verb
  • Verb stem + 지 마세요

よくある間違い

You cannot combine '안' and '못'. Choose one based on whether it is a choice or an inability.

Wrong: 안 못 먹어요
正解: 못 먹어요

Ensure you add the honorific suffix -세요 when giving commands to anyone but close friends.

Wrong: 가지 마
正解: 가지 마세요

Do not add -다 to the end of a polite sentence.

Wrong: 안 가다요
正解: 안 가요

このチャプターのルール (6)

1

韓国語の否定形：「〜ない」の使い方 (안)

A2
動詞や形容詞の前に «안» を置くだけで否定形になりますが、動作を表す «〜하다» 動詞の時だけは間に挟むのがコツです。
저는 오늘 학교에 안 가요.
11 例文
2

長い否定形: -지 않다

A2
動詞や形容詞の語幹に «-지 않다» をつけるだけで、丁寧で知的な否定文が作れます。短い «안» よりもフォーマルな響きになりますよ！
Jeoneun maeun eumsigeul meokji anayo.
10 例文
3

丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)

A2
語幹の後に «-지 않다» を添えるだけで、プロフェッショナルで丁寧な「否定」が作れます。 «지 않아요» や «지 않습니다» を状況に合わせて使い分けましょう。
저는 아침을 `먹지 않아요`.
11 例文
4

できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現

A2
「やりたい気持ちはあるけど、状況的に無理！」という時は «못» を使いましょう。相手への配慮も伝わる便利な言葉ですよ。«못» や «못해요» を使いこなしましょう！
I can't eat spicy food.
10 例文
5

長形否定：〜できない (지 못하다)

A2
自分の意志ではなく、状況や能力のせいで「できない」と言いたい時は «~지 못하다» を使いましょう。短縮形の «못» よりも少し丁寧で、理由を説明するニュアンスが含まれます。
Because it rained too much, I couldn't go to schoo...
10 例文
6

禁止の命令：〜しないで！ (-지 말다)

A2
相手に「〜しないで」と禁止やお願いをする時は «-지 말다» を使いましょう。日常では «지 마세요» や «지 마» が大活躍します！
너무 걱정하지 마세요. 다 잘 될 거예요.
12 例文

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job today! Keep practicing, and you'll be speaking Korean naturally in no time.

Write 5 sentences about things you cannot do yet.

Continue to: Speaking with Respect: Honorifics for VIPs

クイック練習 (10)

文を丁寧に否定形にするために、空欄を埋めてください。

저는 김치를 먹___ 않아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지
パターンは「語幹 + 지 + 않아요」です。 «먹다» は «먹지» になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長い否定形: -지 않다

この過去形の文の間違いを見つけてください。

어제 학교에 갔지 않아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어제 학교에 가지 않았어요.
過去形はメインの動詞ではなく、後ろの «않다» を «않았어요» に活用させます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長い否定形: -지 않다

「私は肉を食べません」と言うために空欄を埋めてください。

저는 고기를 ___ 먹어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 안
«먹어요» の前に置く否定の副詞は «안» が正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の否定形：「〜ない」の使い方 (안)

「私は勉強しません」という意味になるように並べ替えてください。

次のパーツを並べてください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 공부하지 않아요
主語 (저는) + 語幹パターン (공부하지) + 結び (않아요) の順になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長い否定形: -지 않다

勉強についての文章で、間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

저는 오늘 못 공부해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 오늘 공부 못해요.
「〜하다」動詞の場合、«못» は名詞(공부)と動詞(해요)の間に挟みます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現

「行けません」という意味になるように、文を完成させてください。

저는 오늘 파티에 ___ ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가지 못해요
語幹の '가' に '지 못해요' をつけます。 '가지 않아요' は「行かない（意志）」という意味になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長形否定：〜できない (지 못하다)

この文章の間違いを見つけてください。

Find and fix the mistake:

어제 숙제를 안 하지 않았어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어제 숙제를 하지 않았어요.
「안」と「-지 않다」の二重否定は間違いです。昨日のことなので過去形の「하지 않았어요」を使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)

空欄を埋めて、丁寧な否定文を完成させてください。

저는 우유를 (마시다) ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 마시지 않아요
「마시다」（飲む）の語幹「마시」に「-지 않아요」を付けるのが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 丁寧な否定：プロフェッショナルな「いいえ」の伝え方 (-지 않다)

「パーティーに行けませんでした」となるように空欄を埋めてください。

파티에 ___ 갔어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 못
能力や状況のせいで「できなかった」と言いたい時は «못» を使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: できない！「モッ」(못)を使った韓国語の否定表現

この文章の間違いを見つけてください。

Find and fix the mistake:

매운 음식을 먹지 안해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 매운 음식을 먹지 못해요.
「辛くて食べられない」という能力の否定なら '못해요' が適切です。また、 '안해요' は文法的に不自然で、 '지' の後は '않아요' か '못해요' が来ます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 長形否定：〜できない (지 못하다)

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

いいえ、韓国語には専用の単語 «모르다» があります。«안 알아요» は不自然に聞こえます。
文法的に間違いになります。韓国語の否定の副詞は、必ず修飾する言葉の前に置きます。
«안» は短くて日常会話でよく使われます。 «-지 않다» は少し長くてフォーマル、書き言葉やビジネスで好まれます。 «가지 않아요» の方が丁寧な響きです。
«않다» の部分を過去形にします。 «가다» なら «가지 않았어요» (行きませんでした) となります。メインの動詞 «가» はそのままです。
いいえ！「-지 않아요」は日常の丁寧な会話でよく使われますし、タメ口の「-지 않아」もドラマなどでよく耳にしますよ。
「안」は動詞の前に置く短い否定でカジュアル、「-지 않다」は語幹の後に付ける長い否定で、より丁寧で知的な響きがあります。
前のチャプター
Comparing and Highlighting Information
次のチャプター
Speaking with Respect: Honorifics for VIPs
ロードマップに戻る