Korean Negation: How to use "Not" (안)
안 right before the action, except for -하다 action verbs.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To make a sentence negative in Korean, simply place '안' directly before the verb or adjective.
- Place '안' before the verb: '안 먹어요' (I do not eat).
- Place '안' before the adjective: '안 예뻐요' (It is not pretty).
- For 'Noun + 하다' verbs, place '안' before '하다': '안 공부해요' (I do not study).
Overview
Korean features various negation forms, but the most fundamental and widely used for expressing simple "not" or "do not" is the adverbial particle 안 (an). This short-form negation is integral to daily communication at the A2 CEFR level, allowing you to negate verbs (동사, dongsa) and adjectives (형용사, hyeong-yongsa). You will encounter 안 constantly in conversational settings, text messages, and casual written exchanges.
Mastering 안 is crucial for constructing basic negative sentences and distinguishing between an intended lack of action or state and an inability to perform an action. Unlike English, where "not" often follows the verb or auxiliary verb, 안 consistently precedes the word it modifies, acting as a direct modifier to the action or description.
How This Grammar Works
안 functions as an adverb of negation. Its primary role is to express either a lack of intention (you choose not to do something) or a simple non-fact (something is simply not the case). This makes 안 the go-to negation for expressing personal preferences, declining invitations, or describing states that are not true.저는 안 가요 (jeoneun an gayo), it communicates "I am not going" with an implication of choice or a settled decision, rather than an inability. Similarly, 이 음식은 안 맛있어요 (i eumsigeun an masisseoyo) means "This food is not delicious," stating a simple factual assessment.안 is highly versatile, applicable to most action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives). Its placement directly before the verb or adjective indicates that the negation applies specifically to that action or state. This direct modification is a core principle of Korean sentence structure, where adverbs generally precede the elements they modify.안 is key to differentiating it from other negation forms, particularly the long-form -지 않다 (-ji anta), which uses an auxiliary verb construction, and 못 (mot), which expresses inability. While 안 focuses on intent or simple truth, 못 emphasizes external constraints or lack of capability. You would use 안 when you don't want to go, but 못 when you can't go due to an obstacle.Word Order Rules
안 is its placement: it always precedes the verb or adjective it negates. This forms a tight unit, with 안 directly modifying the meaning of the following word. This is crucial for maintaining clarity in Korean sentence structure.Subject + (Object) + 안 + Verb/Adjective. For example, 저는 안 먹어요 (jeoneun an meogeoyo, I don't eat) or 이것은 안 비싸요 (igeoseun an bissayo, This is not expensive).하다 (hada, to do). Many Korean verbs are constructed by combining a noun (명사, myeongsa) with 하다, such as 공부하다 (공부, gongbu, study + 하다, to do = to study). In these cases, 안 inserts itself between the noun and 하다: Noun + 안 + 하다.공부하다(to study) becomes공부 안 해요(gongbu an haeyo, I don't study). Incorrect:안 공부해요.운동하다(to exercise) becomes운동 안 해요(undong an haeyo, I don't exercise). Incorrect:안 운동해요.청소하다(to clean) becomes청소 안 해요(cheongso an haeyo, I don't clean). Incorrect:안 청소해요.
Noun + 하다 verbs reflects that the noun and 하다 form a conceptual unit, and 안 negates the action component. If 안 were placed before the noun, it would sound awkward and grammatically incorrect, akin to saying "not study do" in English. Conversely, for adjectives ending in 하다 (e.g., 친절하다, chinjeolhada, to be kind; 행복하다, haengbokhada, to be happy), 안 precedes the entire adjective: 안 친절해요 (an chinjeolhaeyo, not kind) or 안 행복해요 (an haengbokhaeyo, not happy).하다 adjectives are not formed by a separate noun component that can be split; they describe a state directly. A good rule of thumb is: if you can conceptually separate the noun from 하다 (often indicated by the possibility of inserting a particle like 을/를 between them, though not grammatically correct for negation), then 안 goes in the middle. Otherwise, 안 goes at the beginning.Formation Pattern
안 is straightforward once you understand its placement. The particle 안 remains constant, regardless of the verb or adjective's tense, mood, or speech level. You simply place 안 directly before the conjugated form of the verb or adjective you wish to negate. For compound Noun + 하다 verbs, remember to insert 안 between the noun and 하다. The following table illustrates the pattern with various examples:
-아요/어요) | Formal Present (-ㅂ니다/습니다) | 안 + Polite Present | 안 + Formal Present | Romanization (안 + Polite) | Meaning (안 + Polite) |
가다 (gada) | to go | 가요 (gayo) | 갑니다 (gamnida) | 안 가요 (an gayo) | 안 갑니다 (an gamnida) | an gayo | I don't go / Not going |
먹다 (meokda) | to eat | 먹어요 (meogeoyo) | 먹습니다 (meokseumnida) | 안 먹어요 (an meogeoyo) | 안 먹습니다 (an meokseumnida) | an meogeoyo | I don't eat / Not eating |
좋다 (jota) | to be good | 좋아요 (joayo) | 좋습니다 (joseumnida) | 안 좋아요 (an joayo) | 안 좋습니다 (an joseumnida) | an joayo | It's not good |
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) | to be pretty | 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) | 예쁩니다 (yeppeumnida) | 안 예뻐요 (an yeppeoyo) | 안 예쁩니다 (an yeppeumnida) | an yeppeoyo | It's not pretty |
공부하다 (gongbuhada) | to study | 공부해요 (gongbuhaeyo) | 공부합니다 (gongbuhamnida) | 공부 안 해요 (gongbu an haeyo) | 공부 안 합니다 (gongbu an hamnida) | gongbu an haeyo | I don't study / Not studying |
운동하다 (undonghada) | to exercise | 운동해요 (undonghaeyo) | 운동합니다 (undonghamnida) | 운동 안 해요 (undong an haeyo) | 운동 안 합니다 (undong an hamnida) | undong an haeyo | I don't exercise / Not exercising |
안 itself is invariant. Its form does not change to reflect past, present, or future tenses. For example, to express "didn't go," you would say 안 갔어요 (an gasseoyo), where 가다 is conjugated into the past tense (갔어요), but 안 remains the same. Similarly, for the future tense, 안 갈 거예요 (an gal geoyeyo) means "won't go." This makes 안 grammatically stable and relatively simple to apply across various temporal contexts.
When To Use It
안 is primarily used in two broad contexts, reflecting its core meanings of lack of intention/choice and simple non-fact. Understanding these contexts will help you choose 안 appropriately over other negation forms.- 1Expressing Lack of Intention or Choice: Use
안when you, the speaker, are deliberately choosing not to do something, or when someone else is opting not to perform an action. This often implies a decision, preference, or a subjective reason for the non-action.
저는 술을 안 마셔요.(jeoneun sureul an masyeoyo.) – I don't drink alcohol (by choice/preference).오늘은 너무 피곤해서 운동 안 할 거예요.(oneureun neomu pigonhaeseo undong an hal geoyeyo.) – I'm too tired today, so I won't exercise (my decision).그 사람은 약속을 안 지켜요.(geu sarameun yaksogeul an jikyeoyo.) – That person doesn't keep promises (they choose not to).
- 1Stating Simple Non-Facts or Descriptive Negations:
안is used to simply state that something is not true, or that a descriptive state (adjective) is not present. This is often an objective observation or a straightforward denial.
이 책은 안 재미있어요.(i chaegeun an jaemiisseoyo.) – This book is not interesting (a simple assessment).날씨가 안 좋아요.(nalssiga an joayo.) – The weather is not good (a factual description).저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요.(jeoneun maeun eumsigeul an joahaeyo.) – I don't like spicy food (a statement of preference, a non-fact about my liking).
- 1Conversational and Casual Contexts:
안is the most common negation in everyday speech, informal conversations with friends, family, or colleagues, and in casual written communication like text messages and social media. Its brevity makes it efficient for quick exchanges. While it can be used in slightly more formal polite speech (with-(으)세요or-(스)ㅂ니다endings), for very formal or highly official contexts, the long-form-지 않다is often preferred for its perceived neutrality and literary tone.
Common Mistakes
안. Recognizing these common errors is essential for developing accurate and natural-sounding Korean.- 1Confusing
안(an) with않(anh): This is perhaps the most pervasive error.안is an independent adverb, meaning "not," which precedes a verb or adjective.않is not an independent word; it is only used as part of the long-form negation-지 않다or in contracted forms like않다(which is the base form of않다, not안다). The key distinction lies in spacing. If you see a space before the verb, it should almost always be안.
- Correct:
안 가요(an gayo, I don't go) - Incorrect:
않 가요(grammatically invalid) - Correct (Long-form):
가지 않아요(gaji anayo, I don't go) - Incorrect:
가 안아요(grammatically invalid)
- 1Incorrect Placement with
Noun + 하다Verbs: As discussed,안must split the compoundNoun + 하다verb. Placing안before the entire compound is a common mistake.
- Correct:
공부 안 해요(gongbu an haeyo, I don't study) - Incorrect:
안 공부해요(an gongbuhaeyo)
- 1Incorrectly Negating
있다(itda, to be/have): The verb있다has its own dedicated negative counterpart,없다(eopda, to not be/not have). You should never use안 있다(an itda).
- Correct:
돈이 없어요(don-i eopseoyo, I don't have money) - Incorrect:
돈이 안 있어요(don-i an isseoyo) - Correct:
여기에 사람이 없어요(yeogie sarami eopseoyo, There are no people here) - Incorrect:
여기에 사람이 안 있어요(yeogie sarami an isseoyo)
없다 is the only correct way to negate 있다.- 1Negating Verbs with Inherent Negative Meanings: Some verbs already carry a negative meaning and are therefore not typically negated with
안. The most prominent example is알다(alda, to know), whose negation is모르다(moreuda, to not know/not understand).
- Correct:
모르겠어요(moreugesseoyo, I don't know/I don't understand) - Incorrect:
안 알아요(an arayo)
안 알다 is technically understandable, it sounds unnatural and is not idiomatic. Always opt for 모르다 when expressing "not know."- 1Overuse in Highly Formal Contexts: While
안can be used politely, in very formal written documents, academic papers, or official speeches, the long-form-지 않다is often preferred for its slightly more neutral and formal nuance. Using안exclusively in such contexts might subtly reduce the formality of your expression, even with polite verb endings.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
안 from these similar patterns is crucial for precise communication.안 vs. -지 않다 (Long-Form Negation)안 and -지 않다 convey general negation. However, their structural and contextual usages differ:안 Negation | -지 않다 Negation |안 + Verb/Adjective | Verb/Adjective Stem + -지 않다 |하다 Verbs | Noun + 안 + 하다 | Noun + 하지 않다 |저는 커피를 안 마셔요. (jeoneun keopireul an masyeoyo.) – I don't drink coffee (casual, simple fact/choice). | 저는 커피를 마시지 않아요. (jeoneun keopireul masiji anayo.) – I don't drink coffee (more formal/neutral). |날씨가 안 추워요. (nalssiga an chuwoyo.) – The weather isn't cold (casual observation). | 날씨가 춥지 않아요. (nalssiga chupji anayo.) – The weather isn't cold (more neutral/standard). |-지 않다 can sometimes feel slightly softer or more polite, particularly when delivering potentially negative news. Think of 안 as a direct "no," and -지 않다 as a slightly more elaborate "it is not the case that..."안 vs. 못 (Inability Negation)안 relates to choice or simple non-fact, whereas 못 (mot) relates to inability or external circumstance preventing an action. 못 also functions as an adverb, preceding the verb or adjective.안 Negation (Lack of Intention/State) | 못 Negation (Inability/Circumstance) |하다 Verbs | Noun + 안 + 하다 | Noun + 못 + 하다 |\저는 숙제를 안 했어요. (jeoneun sukjereul an haesseoyo.) – I didn't do my homework (by choice/neglect). | 저는 숙제를 못 했어요. (jeoneun sukjereul mot haesseoyo.) – I couldn't do my homework (e.g., ran out of time, too difficult). |저는 매운 음식을 안 먹어요. (jeoneun maeun eumsigeul an meogeoyo.) – I don't eat spicy food (I choose not to/don't like it). | 저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요. (jeoneun maeun eumsigeul mot meogeoyo.) – I cannot eat spicy food (e.g., allergic, stomach issue). |안 and 못 can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence. Always consider whether the non-action is due to a personal decision/state or an external hindrance.안 vs. -지 말다 (Negative Commands/Prohibitions)안 describes a state or a lack of action, -지 말다 (-ji malda) is used for negative commands or prohibitions – telling someone not to do something. This is a crucial functional difference.안example:저는 안 가요.(I'm not going.) - Statement of fact/intention.-지 말다example:가지 마세요.(gaji maseyo.) - Don't go. - Command.
안 in a command (안 가세요 - you are not going?) would sound like a question about someone's lack of action, not a prohibition.Real Conversations
Understanding 안 in practical contexts highlights its essential role in daily Korean communication. Observe its usage in these common scenarios:
- Declining an offer or invitation:
- A: 주말에 같이 영화 볼까요? (jumare gachi yeonghwa bolkkayo?, Shall we watch a movie together this weekend?)
- B: 음... 죄송해요. 저는 영화를 안 좋아해서요. (eum... joesonghaeyo. jeoneun yeonghwareul an joahaeseoyo., Hmm... Sorry. I don't like movies.)
- B: 이번 주말은 약속이 있어서 안 될 것 같아요. (ibeon jumareun yaksogi isseoseo an doel geot gatayo., I have an appointment this weekend, so I think I won't be able to.)
- Expressing preferences or dislikes:
- A: 매운 음식 잘 드세요? (maeun eumsik jal deuseyo?, Can you eat spicy food well?)
- B: 아니요, 저는 매운 음식을 안 먹어요. (aniyo, jeoneun maeun eumsigeul an meogeoyo., No, I don't eat spicy food.)
- Stating a non-fact or lack of current action:
- A: 아직 퇴근 안 했어요? (ajik toeguen an haesseoyo?, Haven't you left work yet?)
- B: 네, 일이 많아서 아직 안 끝났어요. (ne, iri manaseo ajik an kkeunnasseoyo., Yes, I have a lot of work, so it's not finished yet.)
- Describing a state:
- A: 날씨가 많이 추워요? (nalssiga mani chuwoyo?, Is the weather very cold?)
- B: 아니요, 오늘은 생각보다 안 추워요. (aniyo, oneureun saenggakboda an chuwoyo., No, it's not as cold as I thought today.)
These examples demonstrate how 안 integrates seamlessly into everyday Korean. Its directness and brevity make it suitable for quick, natural responses, mirroring how native speakers communicate in various informal and semi-formal contexts.
Quick FAQ
안:- Can
안be used with every verb and adjective?
있다 (itda, to be/have), which is negated with 없다 (eopda), and 알다 (alda, to know), which uses 모르다 (moreuda, to not know).- Is
안considered rude?
안 itself is a neutral adverb. Its politeness is determined by the honorifics and speech level of the verb ending (e.g., -요 for polite, -ㅂ니다/습니다 for formal). Saying 안 가요 is perfectly polite.- Does
안change form with different tenses (past, present, future)?
안 is invariant. It always remains 안. The verb or adjective it modifies will be conjugated into the appropriate tense. For example, 안 먹었어요 (didn't eat), 안 먹을 거예요 (won't eat).- What's the main difference between
안and못?
안 expresses a lack of intention or a simple non-fact ("do not," "not" by choice or state). 못 expresses inability or a failure to do something due to external circumstances ("cannot").- Can I use
안in text messages or social media?
안 is very common in informal written communication due to its conciseness and directness. It is frequently used in text messages, instant messaging, and social media posts among friends and family.- Why does
안go between the noun and하다inNoun + 하다verbs?
공부하다 (gongbuhada, to study), 공부 is the noun (study) and 하다 is the verb (to do). 안 negates the 'doing' aspect (하다), so it logically places itself directly before 하다 to negate that specific action. It conceptually negates the act of 'doing study,' rather than 'not studying.'- Can
안be used to negate nouns?
안 negates verbs and adjectives. To negate a noun (i.e., to say "it is not X"), you would use 이/가 아니다 (i/ga anida). For example, 학생이 아니에요 (haksaengi anieyo, I am not a student).Negation Formation
| Affirmative | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
안 가요
|
Don't go
|
|
먹다
|
안 먹어요
|
Don't eat
|
|
예쁘다
|
안 예뻐요
|
Not pretty
|
|
공부하다
|
공부 안 해요
|
Don't study
|
|
좋다
|
안 좋아요
|
Not good
|
|
바쁘다
|
안 바빠요
|
Not busy
|
Meanings
The particle '안' is the most common way to negate verbs and adjectives in Korean, equivalent to 'not' in English.
General Negation
Used to negate an action or a state.
“저는 안 가요.”
“날씨가 안 좋아요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb
|
먹어요
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Verb
|
안 먹어요
|
|
Past Negative
|
안 + Past Verb
|
안 먹었어요
|
|
Future Negative
|
안 + Future Verb
|
안 먹을 거예요
|
|
Noun+하다
|
Noun + 안 + 하다
|
공부 안 해요
|
|
Adjective
|
안 + Adjective
|
안 예뻐요
|
Formality Spectrum
먹지 않습니다. (Daily life)
안 먹어요. (Daily life)
안 먹어. (Daily life)
안 먹어! (Daily life)
Negation Logic
Actions
- 안 먹어요 Not eating
States
- 안 예뻐요 Not pretty
Examples by Level
저는 안 먹어요.
I do not eat.
안 가요.
I am not going.
안 예뻐요.
It is not pretty.
안 좋아요.
It is not good.
오늘 학교에 안 가요.
I am not going to school today.
커피를 안 마셔요.
I do not drink coffee.
그 영화는 안 재미있어요.
That movie is not interesting.
숙제를 안 했어요.
I did not do homework.
그는 오늘 회사에 안 올 거예요.
He will not come to work today.
저는 매운 음식을 안 먹어요.
I do not eat spicy food.
이 가방은 안 비싸요.
This bag is not expensive.
어제는 안 바빴어요.
I was not busy yesterday.
그가 왜 안 오는지 모르겠어요.
I don't know why he isn't coming.
저는 그런 말을 안 했어요.
I did not say such a thing.
날씨가 안 좋아서 안 나갔어요.
Because the weather wasn't good, I didn't go out.
그 계획은 안 될 것 같아요.
I don't think that plan will work.
그는 결코 안 올 사람이 아니에요.
He is not the type of person who wouldn't come.
안 가본 곳이 없어요.
There is no place I haven't been to.
그렇게 안 하면 안 돼요.
You must do it that way.
안 먹은 셈 치고 다시 시작해요.
Let's pretend we didn't eat and start over.
안 가느니만 못하다.
It is better not to go at all.
안 본 사이에 많이 컸네요.
You've grown a lot since I last saw you.
안 그래도 연락하려고 했어요.
I was actually just about to call you.
안 하면 손해예요.
If you don't do it, it's your loss.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'not doing' (안) with 'cannot do' (못).
Learners try to use '안' with '있다'.
Learners use '안' in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
먹어요 안
안 먹어요
안 있어요
없어요
안 공부해요
공부 안 해요
안 예뻐요요
안 예뻐요
안 가고 싶어요
가고 싶지 않아요
안 먹었다
안 먹었어요
안 비싸요요
안 비싸요
안 할 수 없어요
할 수밖에 없어요
안 먹는 중이에요
먹지 않는 중이에요
안 가야 해요
가지 말아야 해요
안 가고 싶어해요
가고 싶어하지 않아요
안 먹어본 적이 없어요
먹어본 적이 없어요
안 할 리가 없어요
할 리가 없어요
안 해버렸어요
하지 못했어요
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___를 안 먹어요.
오늘은 날씨가 안 ___.
저는 ___를 안 공부해요.
그는 ___에 안 가요.
Real World Usage
안 가!
고수 안 넣어요.
안 해본 일입니다.
안 멀어요.
안 예쁜 곳이 없네.
안 매운 맛으로 주세요.
Placement
Existence
Noun+하다
Politeness
Smart Tips
Put '안' directly before the verb.
Don't use '안', use '없다'.
Put '안' between the noun and '하다'.
Use '지 않다' instead of '안'.
Pronunciation
Liaison
When '안' is followed by a vowel, it flows smoothly.
Falling
안 가요 ↓
Standard statement
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '안' as a 'No' sign you hold up in front of the verb.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant red 'X' stamp appearing in front of an action, like a person eating.
Rhyme
For a verb that you don't do, put '안' right in front of you.
Story
Min-su wanted to eat, but he was full. He looked at the cake. He said '안 먹어' (I'm not eating). He felt proud of his self-control.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about things you are NOT doing today.
Cultural Notes
Using '안' is very direct. In some polite situations, people prefer '지 않다' to sound less blunt.
Derived from the adverb '아니' (no).
Conversation Starters
오늘 뭐 안 해요?
매운 음식 안 좋아해요?
왜 어제 학교에 안 왔어요?
그 계획이 안 될 것 같아요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 커피를 ___ 마셔요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
안 있어요.
가요.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
안 / 먹어요 / 저는
공부하다 (negative)
Can you use '안' with '있다'?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 커피를 ___ 마셔요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
안 있어요.
가요.
Match the negative.
안 / 먹어요 / 저는
공부하다 (negative)
Can you use '안' with '있다'?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesTranslate: It's not cold.
Which is the correct way to say 'don't swim'?
Match the pairs:
어제 ___ 잤어요.
커피를 않 마셔요.
Reorder: [뜨거워요, 커피가, 안]
I don't like it.
돈이 ___.
Translate: I am not exercising.
바빠 안 요.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Almost everything, except '있다'.
Directly before the verb.
It's neutral. Use '지 않다' for formal.
Use '못' instead of '안'.
Because '공부' is a noun and '하다' is the verb.
Yes, but '지 않다' is better for formal reports.
No, '안' is for verbs/adjectives.
No, '안' stays the same.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No + verb
Spanish 'no' is used for everything, while Korean has '안' and '못'.
ne...pas
Korean is a single particle before the verb.
nicht
Placement is the main difference.
~nai
Prefix vs Suffix.
la
Arabic has different particles for different tenses.
bu
Chinese 'bu' is used for present/future, 'mei' for past.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Polite Negation: Saying 'Not' Professionally (-지 않다)
Overview In Korean, expressing negation goes beyond a simple 'no.' The choice between different negative forms often con...
Formal Negation: Cannot (지 못하다)
Overview This grammar pattern, `~지 못하다` (ji mot-hada), is a fundamental construction in Korean used to express **ina...
Korean Long Negation: Using -지 않다 (-ji anh-da)
Overview Korean features distinct methods for expressing negation, signifying what "is not" or "does not happen." For A1...
Short Negation with 안 (Don't/Not)
Overview Korean negation allows you to express what is not, what you don't do, or what isn't true. Among the various neg...
Negative Commands: Don't do it! (-지 말다)
Overview When you need to tell someone to stop an action, refrain from doing something, or issue a direct prohibition, K...
