Formal Negation: Cannot (지 못하다)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '지 못하다' to express inability or external circumstances preventing an action.
- Attach '지 못하다' to the verb stem: 먹다 -> 먹지 못하다.
- Use this for situations where you want to do something but cannot (e.g., lack of time).
- It is more formal than the short-form negation '안'.
Overview
This grammar pattern, ~지 못하다 (ji mot-hada), is a fundamental construction in Korean used to express inability or incapability to perform an action. It signifies that an action cannot be carried out due to external circumstances, a lack of skill, or a current physical or mental state. Unlike other negation forms that express a lack of intention or choice, ~지 못하다 specifically highlights a barrier preventing the action.
It serves as a more detailed and often slightly more formal counterpart to the shorter 못 (mot) negation. While 못 simply precedes the verb to indicate inability, ~지 못하다 structurally integrates the concept of 'being unable' into the verb phrase, offering a nuanced and explicit declaration of impossibility. Understanding this distinction is crucial for conveying precise meaning in various social contexts, from polite requests to formal reports.
You will frequently encounter ~지 못하다 in both spoken and written Korean, particularly when clarity about the reason for non-performance is desired.
For example, if you say 저는 김치를 먹지 못해요 (Jeoneun gimchireul meokji mot-haeyo), it implies a reason like an allergy or a physical condition, rather than just a personal preference. This pattern is foundational for A2-level learners, allowing you to articulate limitations and challenges effectively.
How This Grammar Works
~지 못하다 functions by attaching the conjunctive ending ~지 to an action verb stem, which then precedes the auxiliary verb 못하다. The ~지 ending transforms the preceding verb into a state ready for negation or, in this case, for the auxiliary 못하다 to act upon it. Think of ~지 as a linker that prepares the main verb for an additional grammatical function.못하다 (mot-hada) literally translates to “to be unable to do,” “to be poor at,” or “to lack the ability.” When combined with ~지, it forms a compound structure that explicitly denotes inability. This structure differs significantly from simple negation with 안 (an) or ~지 않다 (ji an-ta), which convey unwillingness or non-action by choice. With ~지 못하다, the emphasis is always on an external impediment or an intrinsic lack of capacity.먹다 - to eat) becomes 먹지 (meok-ji), indicating the action itself. 못하다 then acts on this entire verbal concept, rendering the action 먹지 못하다 (meok-ji mot-hada), meaning “to be unable to eat.” This explicit construction provides a higher degree of clarity and can sound more formal or polite than the abbreviated 못 먹다 (mot meok-da). This grammatical unit allows for full conjugation of 못하다 to reflect tense, mood, and politeness levels, providing significant expressive flexibility.그 책을 읽지 못했어요 (Geu chaek-eul ik-ji mot-haesseoyo), you are communicating that you could not read the book, perhaps due to lack of time, poor eyesight, or the book's unavailability. This contrasts with 그 책을 읽지 않았어요 (Geu chaek-eul ik-ji an-asseoyo), which simply means you did not read it, possibly because you chose not to. The nuance is critical for accurate communication.Word Order Rules
~지 못하다 adheres to the typical Korean Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order. The ~지 못하다 component attaches directly to the verb stem at the end of the clause or sentence, making it an integral part of the main predicate. The auxiliary 못하다 is the element that carries the conjugation for tense, politeness, and mood.저는 (Jeoneun - I) |한국어를 (Hanguk-eoreul - Korean language) |잘 (jal - well) |다) | 말하 (mal-ha - from 말하다 to speak) |못하다 | ~지 못해요 (ji mot-haeyo - cannot) |저는 한국어를 잘 말하지 못해요.말하 is the verb stem, ~지 못해요 follows, and 못해요 is conjugated to the polite present tense. The negation explicitly states the inability to 잘 말하다 (speak well).오늘 회의에 가지 못했어요.가다 (to go) is the action verb, and 가지 못했어요 indicates past inability to attend. The external circumstance (e.g., being sick, having another appointment) is implied by the use of ~지 못하다.~지 못하다 relatively straightforward to integrate into sentences once you understand its function and the conjugation of 못하다 itself.Formation Pattern
~지 못하다 is consistently simple across all action verbs, as the ~지 ending attaches directly to the verb stem without any variations based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. The flexibility comes from conjugating 못하다 according to the required tense, politeness level, and mood.
다 (da) from the infinitive form of any action verb.
가다 (ga-da - to go) → 가 (ga)
먹다 (meok-da - to eat) → 먹 (meok)
하다 (ha-da - to do) → 하 (ha)
읽다 (ik-da - to read) → 읽 (ik)
~지
~지 to the verb stem.
가 + 지 → 가지 (ga-ji)
먹 + 지 → 먹지 (meok-ji)
하 + 지 → 하지 (ha-ji)
읽 + 지 → 읽지 (ik-ji)
못하다
못하다 itself is a verb, meaning it must be conjugated to fit the grammatical context (tense, politeness, mood). Below are common conjugations:
못해요 (mot-haeyo) | 못합니다 (mot-hamnida) | 저는 운전하지 못해요. (I cannot drive.) |
못했어요 (mot-haesseoyo) | 못했습니다 (mot-haesseumnida) | 어제 숙제를 하지 못했어요. (I couldn't do homework yesterday.) |
못할 거예요 (mot-hal geo-yeyo) | 못할 것입니다 (mot-hal geo-shimnida) | 내일 참석하지 못할 거예요. (I won't be able to attend tomorrow.) |
못하는 (mot-ha-neun - for nouns) | 못하는 (mot-ha-neun - for nouns) | 그것은 제가 못하는 일이에요. (That is something I cannot do.) |
못합시다 (mot-hapsida - Let's not) | 못합시다 (mot-hapsida - Let's not) | (Less common; implies collective inability) |
못하지 마세요 (mot-haji maseyo) | 못하지 마십시오 (mot-haji mashipsio) | (Only for specific contexts where you advise against inability) |
공부하다 (gongbu-hada - to study)
공부하지 못해요. (gongbuhaji mot-haeyo.) - I cannot study (e.g., too noisy).
공부하지 못했습니다. (gongbuhaji mot-haesseumnida.) - I could not study (formal past).
만들다 (man-deulda - to make)
만들지 못해요. (man-deulji mot-haeyo.) - I cannot make it (e.g., lack ingredients).
만들지 못할 거예요. (man-deulji mot-hal geo-yeyo.) - I won't be able to make it (future).
~지 remains constant, and only 못하다 undergoes conjugation. This makes the pattern highly adaptable once the core concept is understood.
When To Use It
~지 못하다 is specifically employed when you wish to convey that an action is impossible or that you are incapable of performing it. The distinction from other negation forms lies in the underlying reason for the non-performance. You primarily use this pattern in three key scenarios:- 1External Circumstances/Obstacles: When factors beyond your control prevent an action.
- Reasoning: The environment, sudden events, or other people's actions create a barrier. You might want to do the action, but external realities make it impossible.
- Example 1:
비가 너무 많이 와서 밖에 나가지 못했어요.(Biga neomu mani waseo bakke nagaji mot-haesseoyo.) - Translation: It rained too much, so I couldn't go outside.
- Analysis: The heavy rain (
비가 너무 많이 와서) is the external obstacle preventing the action of나가지(going out). - Example 2:
시간이 없어서 그 영화를 보지 못했어요.(Sigan-i eop-seoseo geu yeonghwa-reul boji mot-haesseoyo.) - Translation: I didn't have time, so I couldn't watch that movie.
- Analysis: Lack of time (
시간이 없어서) is the external constraint.
- 1Lack of Ability or Skill: When you personally do not possess the necessary skill, talent, or knowledge to perform an action.
- Reasoning: This is an internal limitation. You might try, but your current skill level is insufficient.
- Example 1:
저는 김치를 맵게 먹지 못해요.(Jeoneun gimchi-reul maep-ge meok-ji mot-haeyo.) - Translation: I cannot eat kimchi spicy (because I'm not good with spicy food).
- Analysis: The speaker's personal inability to handle spicy food (
맵게 먹지 못해요) is the reason. - Example 2:
아직 한국말을 잘 하지 못해서 통역이 필요해요.(Ajik hangukmal-eul jal haji mot-haeseo tongyeok-i piryo-haeyo.) - Translation: I still can't speak Korean well, so I need an interpreter.
- Analysis: The speaker's insufficient Korean speaking ability (
잘 하지 못해서) necessitates an interpreter.
- 1Physical or Mental Condition: When your current state (illness, fatigue, mood) prevents you from doing something.
- Reasoning: A temporary or ongoing personal condition makes the action unfeasible.
- Example 1:
몸이 안 좋아서 오늘 운동하지 못했어요.(Momi an joh-aseo oneul undonghaji mot-haesseoyo.) - Translation: My body wasn't well, so I couldn't exercise today.
- Analysis: The physical condition (
몸이 안 좋아서) is the impediment to운동하지(exercising). - Example 2:
너무 피곤해서 밤새 일하지 못하겠어요.(Neomu pigon-haeseo bamsae ilhaji mot-hagesseoyo.) - Translation: I'm too tired, so I won't be able to work all night.
- Analysis: Extreme fatigue (
너무 피곤해서) is the current barrier to일하지(working).
~지 못하다 clearly communicates that the non-performance is involuntary or due to an external/internal constraint, making it distinct from a deliberate choice not to act.Common Mistakes
~지 못하다. Being aware of these common errors will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in Korean.- 1Confusing
~지 못하다with~지 않다(ji an-ta): Inability vs. Unwillingness
~지 못하다 signifies inability (cannot), while ~지 않다 signifies unwillingness or non-action by choice (do not/will not).- Incorrect Use:
저는 매운 음식을 먹지 않아요.(Jeoneun maeun eumsik-eul meok-ji anayo.) if you're allergic. (This implies you choose not to eat it). - Correct:
저는 매운 음식을 먹지 못해요.(Jeoneun maeun eumsik-eul meok-ji mot-haeyo.) (This correctly implies you cannot eat it due to a physical limitation). - Further Example: Imagine you are invited to a party.
파티에 가지 않아요.(Patie gaji anayo.) - I am not going to the party (because I choose not to).파티에 가지 못해요.(Patie gaji mot-haeyo.) - I cannot go to the party (because I am sick, have another engagement, etc.).- The choice between these two forms drastically alters the meaning and implication of your statement. Always assess whether the non-performance is a choice or a limitation.
- 1Applying
~지 못하다to Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives)
~지 못하다 is almost exclusively used with action verbs. Descriptive verbs (adjectives) describe a state or quality, and you cannot beConjugation of 지 못하다
| Tense | Polite (해요) | Formal (합니다) |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
가지 못해요
|
가지 못합니다
|
|
Past
|
가지 못했어요
|
가지 못했습니다
|
|
Future
|
가지 못할 거예요
|
가지 못할 것입니다
|
Short Form Comparison
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
|
Short Negation
|
안 가요
|
|
Long Negation
|
가지 않아요
|
|
Inability
|
가지 못해요
|
Meanings
This structure indicates that the subject is unable to perform an action due to external circumstances or lack of ability.
Inability
Unable to do due to external factors.
“숙제가 많아서 놀지 못해요.”
“비가 와서 나가지 못했어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
Verb + 지 못하다
|
먹지 못해요
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 지 못했다
|
먹지 못했어요
|
|
Future
|
Verb + 지 못할 것이다
|
먹지 못할 거예요
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 지 못해요?
|
먹지 못해요?
|
|
Formal
|
Verb + 지 못합니다
|
먹지 못합니다
|
Formality Spectrum
가지 못합니다 (General)
가지 못해요 (General)
가지 못해 (General)
못 가 (General)
Negation Map
Choice
- 안 Not
Inability
- 지 못하다 Cannot
Examples by Level
저는 매운 것을 먹지 못해요.
I cannot eat spicy food.
오늘 학교에 가지 못해요.
I cannot go to school today.
한국어를 잘하지 못해요.
I cannot speak Korean well.
시간이 없어서 공부하지 못해요.
I cannot study because I have no time.
어제 너무 피곤해서 운동하지 못했어요.
I couldn't exercise yesterday because I was too tired.
비가 많이 와서 소풍을 가지 못했습니다.
We couldn't go on the picnic because it rained a lot.
회의 때문에 전화를 받지 못했어요.
I couldn't answer the phone because of a meeting.
돈이 없어서 그 옷을 사지 못해요.
I cannot buy that clothes because I don't have money.
죄송하지만, 내일은 참석하지 못할 것 같습니다.
I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to attend tomorrow.
그는 다리를 다쳐서 달리지 못하게 되었습니다.
He ended up not being able to run because he hurt his leg.
이 문제는 너무 어려워서 풀지 못하겠어요.
This problem is so hard that I cannot solve it.
갑작스러운 사고로 여행을 떠나지 못했습니다.
I couldn't leave for the trip due to a sudden accident.
그의 제안을 거절하지 못하는 성격이라 고민입니다.
I'm worried because I have a personality that cannot refuse his offers.
정부의 정책이 실효를 거두지 못하고 있다는 비판이 있습니다.
There is criticism that the government's policy is failing to achieve results.
그는 자신의 감정을 숨기지 못하는 사람입니다.
He is a person who cannot hide his feelings.
기술적 한계로 인해 더 이상 개발을 진행하지 못했습니다.
Due to technical limitations, we could not proceed with the development.
그는 그 상황에서 침묵을 지키지 못하고 결국 폭발하고 말았다.
He couldn't keep silent in that situation and eventually exploded.
사회적 합의를 도출하지 못한다면 갈등은 심화될 것이다.
If we cannot reach a social consensus, the conflict will deepen.
그녀는 자신의 운명을 스스로 개척하지 못하는 나약한 존재였다.
She was a weak being who could not carve out her own destiny.
예산 부족으로 인해 프로젝트를 완수하지 못할 위기에 처했다.
We are in danger of not being able to complete the project due to a lack of budget.
그의 언변은 청중을 사로잡지 못할 만큼 설득력이 부족했다.
His eloquence lacked enough persuasiveness to fail to captivate the audience.
역사적 교훈을 망각한 민족은 미래를 설계하지 못한다는 격언이 있다.
There is a saying that a nation that forgets historical lessons cannot design its future.
그는 자신의 내면을 직시하지 못하는 채로 평생을 보냈다.
He spent his whole life without being able to face his inner self.
법적 구속력을 갖추지 못하는 조항은 무용지물에 불과하다.
A clause that does not possess legal binding force is nothing more than useless.
Easily Confused
Learners use them interchangeably.
Common Mistakes
예쁘지 못해요
안 예뻐요
가 못해요
가지 못해요
숙제를 안 할 수 없어요
숙제를 하지 못해요
그는 가지 못했다는 것이다
그는 가지 못했다
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___ 때문에 ___지 못해요.
Real World Usage
회의에 참석하지 못합니다.
오늘 못 가.
Use for excuses
Smart Tips
Use '지 못하다' to sound more polite.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The '지' and '못' are pronounced clearly.
Falling
가지 못해요↘
Statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '못' as a 'moat' around a castle; you cannot cross it!
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing in front of a locked door, reaching for the handle but unable to turn it.
Rhyme
When you want to but cannot do, add '지 못하다' to the verb for you.
Story
Min-su wanted to go to the party. He had his shoes on. But then his boss called. He couldn't go. He said, '파티에 가지 못해요.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you cannot do today due to your schedule.
Cultural Notes
Using '지 못하다' is a polite way to decline an invitation without being rude.
Derived from '못' (inability) and '하다' (to do).
Conversation Starters
오늘 왜 학교에 못 왔어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 오늘 숙제를 ___ 못해요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘지 못해요.
가요 -> ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 갈래? B: ___.
못해요 / 가지 / 저는
Can I use '지 못하다' with adjectives?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 오늘 숙제를 ___ 못해요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘지 못해요.
가요 -> ?
Match 'cannot' to Korean.
A: 갈래? B: ___.
못해요 / 가지 / 저는
Can I use '지 못하다' with adjectives?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises저는 술을 ___ ___.
숙제를 하지못했어요.
Arrange:
Choose the correct sentence.
How do you say 'I cannot hear' using the long form?
어제 운동을 ___ ___.
Match the pairs
돈이 없어서 안 사요.
Arrange:
지금은 확인___ ___.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, only for action verbs.
No, it's polite.
Use '안'.
Yes, it's standard.
Yes, '지 못했어요'.
Yes, '못' is the short form.
Use '지 못할 거예요'.
It's a connective particle.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
no poder
Korean requires a particle '지'.
nicht können
German uses modal verbs.
ne pas pouvoir
French uses double negation.
できない
Korean is more formal.
不能
Korean is a suffix construction.
لا أستطيع
Arabic is prefix-based.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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Korean Long Negation: Using -지 않다 (-ji anh-da)
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Short Negation with 안 (Don't/Not)
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Negative Commands: Don't do it! (-지 말다)
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I Can't! Korean Negation with 'Mot' (못)
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