Korean Long Negation: Using -지 않다 (-ji anh-da)
-지 않다 to any verb stem to create a clear, polished, and versatile negative sentence.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Make any verb negative by adding -지 않다 after the verb stem.
- Take the verb stem: 가다 (to go) -> 가.
- Add -지: 가지.
- Add 않다: 가지 않다 (do not go).
Overview
Korean features distinct methods for expressing negation, signifying what "is not" or "does not happen." For A1 learners, understanding these methods is fundamental to accurate communication. The two primary patterns for general negation are 안 (an), often termed short negation, and -지 않다 (-ji anh-da), known as long negation. While 안 offers a concise and frequently used informal option, -지 않다 provides a more explicit, structurally consistent, and often more formal approach.
This long negation pattern is pervasive in both spoken and written Korean, ranging from polite daily exchanges to formal reports and academic texts.
The grammatical core of -지 않다 lies in its derivation. 않다 is a contraction of 아니하다 (ani-hada), which means "to not do" or "to not be." By combining a verb or adjective stem with the connective ending -지 and this auxiliary verb 않다, you are literally constructing a phrase that means "as for [verb/adjective stem], it does not do/be." This explicit construction offers enhanced clarity compared to the more compressed 안 form, making it a valuable tool for learners to express negation precisely without concern for the main verb's conjugation or stem type. Mastering -지 않다 is essential for developing a nuanced and polished command of Korean, especially in contexts demanding greater precision or politeness.
From a linguistic perspective, -지 않다 functions as an analytic negation, where the negation is expressed through a separate lexical item (않다) rather than being synthetically attached to the main verb (like 안 often is). This separation allows for greater flexibility in tense and mood marking on the negating element itself, which is a common characteristic of auxiliary verb constructions. This structure makes -지 않다 highly productive, applicable to almost all verbs and adjectives, providing a consistent framework for expressing non-occurrence or non-existence of a state.
How This Grammar Works
-지 않다 pattern functions by attaching a fixed grammatical component, -지, to the stem of any verb or adjective, followed by the auxiliary verb 않다. This structure creates a single negative unit that modifies the meaning of the preceding action or state. The component -지 acts as an invariable connective ending, linking the main verb or adjective stem to 않다, which then carries the semantic burden of negation.-지 does not change based on whether the preceding stem ends in a vowel or a consonant (a batchim).않다 is unique because it is the element that undergoes conjugation for tense, politeness, and mood, while the main verb or adjective stem remains in its base -지 form. This simplifies the negation process; you only need to learn the conjugations for 않다. For instance, to say "to not eat," you take the verb 먹다 (meok-da), remove -다 to get the stem 먹 (meok), attach -지 to form 먹지 (meok-ji), and then add 않다.먹지 않다 (meok-ji anh-da) is the base negative form.크다 (keu-da) meaning "to be big," the stem is 크 (keu), leading to 크지 않다 (keu-ji anh-da) for "to not be big." This grammatical mechanism allows for a consistent and predictable negation strategy across the entire lexicon of verbs and adjectives. The main verb or adjective establishes the core action or state, and then 않다 declares that this action or state "is not" occurring or "is not" the case. This clear division of labor within the grammatical structure is why -지 않다 is often preferred in contexts where explicit clarity of negation is paramount.저는 숙제를 하지 않습니다.(jeo-neun suk-je-reul ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.) – "I do not do my homework." (Here,하다is the main verb, negated by않습니다).하늘이 맑지 않아요.(ha-neul-i mak-ji an-a-yo.) – "The sky is not clear." (Here,맑다is the main adjective, negated by않아요).그는 거짓말을 하지 않았어요.(geu-neun geo-jit-mal-eul ha-ji an-a-sseo-yo.) – "He did not lie." (Past tense negation of하다).
Word Order Rules
-지 않다 is strictly defined and crucial for correct sentence construction in Korean. The pattern always follows the structure: [Subject] + [Object/Complement] + [Verb/Adjective Stem] + -지 않다. The key principle is that -지 않다 must directly attach to the stem of the verb or adjective it is negating.-지, nor between -지 and 않다.안. With 안, the negator typically precedes the verb or adjective, as in 저는 안 먹어요 ("I don't eat"). However, for 하다 (hada) verbs (verbs formed by Noun + 하다, like 공부하다 – to study), 안 splits the compound verb, becoming 저는 공부 안 해요 ("I don't study").-지 않다, this splitting does not occur; the entire 하다 verb's stem is treated as one unit before -지 않다 is attached. For example, to negate 공부하다, you would say 저는 공부하지 않아요 ("I don't study"). Attempting to place 안 within the -지 않다 structure, such as 저는 안 공부하지 않아요, would be grammatically incorrect and highly unnatural.않다 dictates this strict post-stem placement. The main verb or adjective establishes the core action or state, and then 않다 acts upon that established meaning to negate it. Think of it as a logical sequence: first, the concept is presented (가다 – to go), then it is declared as not happening (가지 않다 – to not go).저는 집에 가지 않아요.(jeo-neun jip-e ga-ji an-a-yo.) – "I don't go home." (Incorrect:가지 집에 않아요)그 책은 재미있지 않습니다.(geu chaek-eun jae-mi-it-ji an-seum-ni-da.) – "That book is not interesting." (Incorrect:재미있지 그 책은 않습니다)우리는 영화를 보지 않을 거예요.(u-ri-neun yeong-hwa-reul bo-ji an-eul geo-ye-yo.) – "We will not watch the movie." (The object영화를comes before the negated verb phrase).
저는 아직 숙제를 하지 않아요 (jeo-neun a-jik suk-je-reul ha-ji an-a-yo) – "I still don't do my homework." Here, 아직 (a-jik, still/yet) comes before 숙제를 하지 않아요. This maintains the integrity of the [Stem]-지 않다 unit.Formation Pattern
-지 않다 follows a straightforward and highly consistent pattern, making it one of the most reliable grammatical structures for beginners. The process involves identifying the verb or adjective stem and then attaching the negation suffix and auxiliary verb. This predictability is a major advantage for A1 learners.
-다 (-da). Remove this -다 to reveal the stem.
가다 (to go) → Stem: 가 (ga)
읽다 (to read) → Stem: 읽 (il-k)
예쁘다 (to be pretty) → Stem: 예쁘 (ye-ppeu)
-지 (-ji) to the Stem: This is the invariable connective ending that links the stem to the negating auxiliary verb. -지 is always attached directly to the stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. There are no exceptions or variations here.
가 + -지 → 가지 (ga-ji)
읽 + -지 → 읽지 (il-k-ji)
예쁘 + -지 → 예쁘지 (ye-ppeu-ji)
않다 (anh-da) to -지: Once you have the [Stem]-지 form, append the auxiliary verb 않다. This creates the base long negation form.
가지 + 않다 → 가지 않다 (to not go)
읽지 + 않다 → 읽지 않다 (to not read)
예쁘지 + 않다 → 예쁘지 않다 (to not be pretty)
않다 for Politeness and Tense: This is the final and most flexible step. Since 않다 functions as a regular verb, it must be conjugated to match the desired politeness level (polite 해체 (hae-che), formal 합니다체 (hap-ni-da-che)) and tense (present, past, future). The main verb/adjective stem remains unchanged in its -[stem]-지 form.
않다:
해체) | Formal Present (합니다체) | Polite Past (해체) | Formal Past (합니다체) | Polite Future (해체) | Formal Future (합니다체) |
않다 | 않아요 (an-a-yo) | 않습니다 (an-seum-ni-da) | 않았어요 (an-a-sseo-yo) | 않았습니다 (an-a-sseum-ni-da) | 않을 거예요 (an-eul geo-ye-yo) | 않을 겁니다 (an-eul geom-ni-da) |
배우다 (to learn):
배우 (bae-u)
배우지 않다
저는 한국어를 배우지 않아요. (jeo-neun han-gu-geo-reul bae-u-ji an-a-yo.) – "I don't learn Korean."
그는 진실을 배우지 않았습니다. (geu-neun jin-sil-eul bae-u-ji an-a-sseum-ni-da.) – "He did not learn the truth."
비싸다 (to be expensive):
비싸 (bi-ssa)
비싸지 않다
이 옷은 비싸지 않아요. (i ot-eun bi-ssa-ji an-a-yo.) – "These clothes are not expensive."
내년에는 물가가 비싸지 않을 겁니다. (nae-nyeon-e-neun mul-kka-ga bi-ssa-ji an-eul geom-ni-da.) – "Next year, prices will not be expensive."
When To Use It
-지 않다) and short negation (안) often hinges on context, desired nuance, and the specific verb or adjective being negated. While both convey "not," -지 않다 is employed in several key situations where it is either preferred or provides clearer communication.- 1Formality and Clarity:
-지 않다generally carries a slightly more formal or deliberate tone than안. It is the preferred negation pattern in formal writing, such as official documents, news reports, academic papers, and professional emails. In spoken Korean, using-지 않다can convey politeness, thoughtfulness, or a more definitive statement, particularly in formal settings like business meetings or public speaking. This explicitness makes it less ambiguous, as the negation is clearly attributed to the않다component rather than being a simple prefix.
저는 그 제안에 동의하지 않습니다.(jeo-neun geu je-an-e dong-ui-ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.) – "I do not agree with that proposal." (Formal, clear statement in a business context).규칙을 어기지 마십시오.(gyu-chik-eul eo-gi-ji ma-sip-si-o.) – "Please do not break the rules." (Strong, formal imperative negation).
- 1With Adjectives: While both forms can technically work,
-지 않다is very commonly and naturally used with adjectives. It often sounds more fluid and less abrupt than the short안form when describing a non-state. This is especially true for longer or more complex adjectives, or when providing a descriptive negation rather than a simple denial.
날씨가 춥지 않아요.(nal-ssi-ga chup-ji an-a-yo.) – "The weather is not cold." (More common than날씨가 안 추워요for a general statement of observation).이 음식은 맵지 않습니다.(i eum-sik-eun maep-ji an-seum-ni-da.) – "This food is not spicy." (Polite and natural, describing a characteristic).그 가수는 유명하지 않아요.(geu ga-su-neun yu-myeong-ha-ji an-a-yo.) – "That singer is not famous." (Common descriptive negation).
- 1With
하다Verbs (Noun +하다): For verbs formed by combining a noun with하다(e.g.,공부하다– to study,운동하다– to exercise),-지 않다attaches directly to the entire compound stem (공부하-,운동하-). This provides a single, unambiguous way to negate them. While안can also negate하다verbs by splitting them (공부 안 하다),-지 않다offers a consistent structural alternative that many find more elegant or formal, particularly in written Korean.
매일 운동하지 않아요.(mae-il un-dong-ha-ji an-a-yo.) – "I don't exercise every day." (Sounds natural and polite, avoiding the split of안 운동해요).이 문제에 대해 깊이 생각하지 않았습니다.(i mun-je-e dae-hae gip-i saeng-gak-ha-ji an-a-sseum-ni-da.) – "I haven't thought deeply about this problem." (Formal past tense negation of생각하다).
- 1Emphasizing Negation or Providing Explanation: Sometimes, using
-지 않다can subtly emphasize the negation more than안, or it might be chosen when a speaker intends to elaborate on why something is not happening. It provides a slightly stronger sense of declarative non-occurrence, making the negation itself a more prominent part of the statement. This is especially true when combined with particles like-는/-은for emphasis (-지는 않다).
저는 그 영화를 좋아하지 않아요.(jeo-neun geu yeong-hwa-reul jo-a-ha-ji an-a-yo.) – "I don't like that movie." (Can feel more definitive or explanatory than안 좋아해요).그것은 중요하지 않다고 생각해요.(geu-geot-eun jung-yo-ha-ji an-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.) – "I think that's not important." (Negation as part of a thought or belief).
안 is excellent for quick, casual negation, -지 않다 allows for more nuanced, polite, and formally appropriate expressions of "not," particularly in structured communication and with adjectives, highlighting its role in conveying a deliberate non-action or non-state.Common Mistakes
-지 않다. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying reasons is crucial for advancing beyond basic A1 proficiency. Avoiding these will make your Korean sound significantly more natural.- 1Incorrect Negation of
있다(it-da, to exist/have) and알다(al-da, to know): This is perhaps the most frequent and significant error. While you can technically form있지 않다and알지 않다by applying the general rule, native Korean speakers almost exclusively use their dedicated antonyms:없다(eop-da) for "to not exist/have" and모르다(mo-reu-da) for "to not know."
- Incorrect/Unnatural:
저는 돈이 있지 않아요.(jeo-neun don-i it-ji an-a-yo.) – "I don't have money." - Correct/Natural:
저는 돈이 없어요.(jeo-neun don-i eop-seo-yo.) – "I don't have money." - Reason:
없다and모르다are lexicalized negations; they are established words meaning the opposite, rather than being a grammatical construction of negation. Using-지 않다here sounds foreign and unnatural, much like saying "I am not having money" instead of "I don't have money" in English. This is a crucial idiomatic distinction to grasp at the A1 level.
- 1Double Negation (Combining
안and-지 않다): An A1 learner might mistakenly try to use both안and-지 않다in the same clause, leading to a grammatically redundant or confusing double negative. This is a direct misunderstanding of how the two negation patterns function as alternatives.
- Incorrect:
저는 어제 안 가지 않았어요.(jeo-neun eo-je an ga-ji an-a-sseo-yo.) – Attempting to say "I didn't go yesterday." - Correct:
저는 어제 가지 않았어요.(jeo-neun eo-je ga-ji an-a-sseo-yo.) – "I didn't go yesterday." - Reason: Both
안and않다serve the same purpose of negation within a single predicate. Using both creates an unintended, complex, or grammatically flawed meaning at the A1 level. (While advanced learners may encounter deliberate double negatives for rhetorical emphasis, this is far beyond the scope of A1 and will almost always sound wrong to a beginner).
- 1Attaching Tense or Politeness to the Main Verb/Adjective Stem: Remember that only
않다conjugates for tense and politeness. The stem to which-지is attached remains in its base, unconjugated form. A common error is attempting to conjugate the main verb before attaching-지 않다.
- Incorrect:
저는 밥을 먹었지 않아요.(jeo-neun bap-eul meog-eot-ji an-a-yo.) – Attempting to say "I didn't eat rice." - Correct:
저는 밥을 먹지 않았어요.(jeo-neun bap-eul meok-ji an-a-sseo-yo.) – "I didn't eat rice." - Reason: The tense marker (
-었/-았) belongs exclusively to않다when forming long negation. The-[stem]-지structure is fixed; it acts as a nominalized clause that않다then negates. You are essentially saying "the act of eating is not" rather than "I did not eat."
- 1Misplacing or Splitting
-지 않다: As discussed in word order, nothing can interrupt the[Stem]-지 않다sequence. Inserting adverbs or other particles between-지and않다is incorrect, as this unit functions as a single, inseparable negated predicate.
- Incorrect:
저는 숙제를 하지 아직 않아요.(jeo-neun suk-je-reul ha-ji a-jik an-a-yo.) – Trying to say "I still don't do my homework." - Correct:
저는 아직 숙제를 하지 않아요.(jeo-neun a-jik suk-je-reul ha-ji an-a-yo.) – "I still don't do my homework." (The adverb아직must precede the entire negated predicate). This mistake arises from not recognizing-[stem]-지 않다as a single grammatical unit.
-지 않다 effectively and sound much more natural and accurate in their Korean expressions, distinguishing between grammatical construction and idiomatic usage.Contrast With Similar Patterns
-지 않다, it is essential to understand how it contrasts with other negation patterns in Korean, particularly 안 (an) and -지 못하다 (-ji mot-ha-da). These three structures, while all expressing a form of "not," carry distinct meanings and are used in different contexts.- 1
안(an) - Short Negation:
- Meaning: Expresses simple negation, meaning "do not" or "is not." It indicates that an action is not performed or a state does not exist, often due to choice or a simple factual statement, without external hindrance or inability.
- Structure:
안precedes the verb or adjective. For하다verbs (Noun +하다),안is placed between the noun and하다(e.g.,공부 안 해요). - Formality: Generally more casual and frequently used in everyday spoken Korean. It can sometimes sound abrupt or blunt depending on intonation and context, especially in more formal situations. It is the go-to for quick, direct denials.
- Conjugation:
안itself does not conjugate; the main verb or adjective to which it attaches is conjugated for tense and politeness. - Example:
저는 커피 안 마셔요.(jeo-neun keo-pi an ma-syeo-yo.) – "I don't drink coffee." (A casual, simple statement of choice). - Example:
날씨가 안 추워요.(nal-ssi-ga an chu-weo-yo.) – "The weather isn't cold." (A common, direct observation).
- 1
-지 않다(-ji anh-da) - Long Negation (Simple Negation):
- Meaning: Also expresses simple negation, "do not" or "is not," but often with greater formality or clarity. It conveys that an action is not performed or a state does not exist due to choice or fact, similar to
안, but with a more deliberate tone. - Structure:
[Verb/Adjective Stem] + -지 + 않다. The auxiliary verb않다is the element that conjugates for tense and politeness. - Formality: Generally perceived as more formal, polite, and explicit than
안. It is preferred in written contexts, formal speech, and when a clear, unambiguous statement of non-occurrence is desired. It creates a slightly softer refusal or statement of fact than안. - Conjugation: Only
않다conjugates for tense and politeness; the main stem remains in its-[stem]-지form. - Example:
저는 커피를 마시지 않아요.(jeo-neun keo-pi-reul ma-si-ji an-a-yo.) – "I do not drink coffee." (Polite, slightly more formal way of stating choice). - Example:
날씨가 춥지 않아요.(nal-ssi-ga chup-ji an-a-yo.) – "The weather is not cold." (Often feels more natural and descriptive with adjectives).
- 1
-지 못하다(-ji mot-ha-da) - Inability Negation:
- Meaning: Expresses inability or impossibility, meaning "cannot" or "unable to." It signifies that the subject wants or intends to perform an action but is prevented by circumstances, lack of skill, or external factors. It is never used for adjectives.
- Structure:
[Verb Stem] + -지 + 못하다. Similar to-지 않다, but uses못하다as the auxiliary verb.못하다also means "to be poor at/unable to do." - Formality: Can be used in both formal and informal contexts; the formality depends on how
못하다is conjugated. It can be paired with the short negation못(mot), which directly precedes the verb (e.g.,못 가요– I can't go). - Conjugation: Only
못하다conjugates for tense and politeness. - Example:
저는 운전하지 못해요.(jeo-neun un-jeon-ha-ji mot-hae-yo.) – "I cannot drive." (Implies lack of ability or license). - Example:
오늘은 너무 바빠서 가지 못했습니다.(o-neul-eun neo-mu ba-ppa-seo ga-ji mot-haet-seum-ni-da.) – "I couldn't go today because I was too busy." (Formal, past tense, expressing inability due to circumstances).
-지 않다 (-ji anh-da) | 안 (an) | -지 못하다 (-ji mot-ha-da) |V/Adj Stem + -지 않다 | 안 + V/Adj (or Noun + 안 하다) | V Stem + -지 못하다 |못하다 conjugation) |않다 conjugates | Main V/Adj conjugates | 못하다 conjugates |있다, 알다) | Verbs & Adjectives (with 하다 verbs splitting) | Action Verbs Only |먹지 않아요 (I don't eat [by choice]) | 안 먹어요 (I don't eat [by choice]) | 먹지 못해요 (I can't eat [due to inability/circumstance]) |안 and -지 않다 often overlap in meaning, with the choice often coming down to formality or desired emphasis.Real Conversations
Observing how -지 않다 is naturally integrated into various conversational contexts helps solidify understanding. These examples illustrate its usage in both formal and casual settings, highlighting its role in conveying clarity and politeness, and sometimes even subtle rhetorical intent. Pay attention to how it shapes the speaker's tone.
Polite Refusal in a Daily Scenario:
- Friend: "오늘 저녁 같이 먹을까요?" (o-neul jeo-nyeok ga-chi meog-eul-kka-yo?) – "Shall we eat dinner together tonight?"
- You: "죄송하지만, 오늘은 시간이 되지 않아요." (joe-song-ha-ji-man, o-neul-eun si-gan-i doe-ji an-a-yo.) – "I'm sorry, but today I don't have time."
- Observation: Using 되지 않아요 (do-e-ji an-a-yo, literally "time does not become") sounds more polite and less abrupt than 안 돼요 (an doe-yo, "it's not possible/can't"). It conveys a gentle refusal while explicitly stating the reason, making it suitable in various social contexts where directness might be perceived as rude.
Making a Factual Statement (Slightly Formal/Objective):
- Colleague: "이번 프로젝트가 순조롭게 진행되고 있나요?" (i-beon peu-ro-jek-teu-ga sun-jo-rop-ge jin-haeng-doe-go in-na-yo?) – "Is this project proceeding smoothly?"
- You: "아니요, 아직 예상했던 대로 진행되지 않고 있습니다." (a-ni-yo, a-jik ye-sang-haet-deon dae-ro jin-haeng-doe-ji an-ko it-seum-ni-da.) – "No, it is not proceeding as expected yet."
- Observation: In a professional context, 진행되지 않고 있습니다 (jin-haeng-doe-ji an-ko it-seum-ni-da, "it is not proceeding") offers a clear, formal, and objective status update. This is much preferred over a simple 안 진행돼요 (an jin-haeng-dwae-yo), which would sound unprofessional and too casual in most work environments.
Casual Opinion/Description (with Adjective):
- Friend (texting): "어제 본 영화 재미있었어?" (eo-je bon yeong-hwa jae-mi-i-sseot-seo?) – "Was the movie we watched yesterday fun?"
- You (texting): "음... 솔직히 말하면 아주 재미있지는 않았어." (eum... sol-jik-hi mal-ha-myeon a-ju jae-mi-it-ji-neun an-a-sseo.) – "Hmm... honestly, it wasn't very fun."
- Observation: Even in casual texting, 재미있지는 않았어 (jae-mi-it-ji-neun an-a-sseo, "it wasn't interesting") is very common and natural for negating adjectives. The addition of the particle -는 (-neun) here emphasizes the negation, making it "it really wasn't interesting" or "it wasn't interesting, as for that point." This shows how 은/는 can combine with -지 않다 for nuanced emphasis.
Rhetorical Question/Emotional Nuance:
- Child: "엄마, 이 숙제 너무 어렵지 않아요?" (eom-ma, i suk-je neo-mu eo-ryeop-ji an-a-yo?) – "Mom, isn't this homework too difficult?"
- Observation: Here, 어렵지 않아요? (eo-ryeop-ji an-a-yo?) uses -지 않다 in a rhetorical question, implying "it is too difficult, isn't it?" It expresses a feeling or seeking confirmation of a shared sentiment. This particular usage is very common, often conveying a sense of mild complaint, surprise, or seeking agreement.
These real-world examples demonstrate that -지 않다 is a versatile tool that allows speakers to express negation with varying degrees of politeness, formality, and descriptive clarity, often chosen to convey a more measured or deliberate message than the simpler 안 form.
Quick FAQ
-지 않다, offering concise and clear answers to reinforce understanding and clarify frequent points of confusion.- Q: Is
-지 않다always more formal than안? - A: Generally, yes.
-지 않다tends to be perceived as more formal, polite, and explicit, especially in written contexts and formal speeches. However, in polite conversational Korean, particularly with adjectives (e.g.,춥지 않아요for "it's not cold"), it often sounds very natural and can be interchangeable with안depending on nuance. Its use provides a clear, unambiguous statement of negation.
- Q: Can I use
-지 않다with있다(it-da, to exist/have) and알다(al-da, to know)? - A: No, you should avoid it. While technically forming
있지 않다and알지 않다is grammatically derivable, native speakers almost universally prefer using their direct antonyms:없다(eop-da, to not exist/have) and모르다(mo-reu-da, to not know). Using-지 않다with these two verbs will sound unnatural and may cause confusion. Always use없다and모르다in these cases for natural Korean.
- Q: What is the main difference between
-지 않다and-지 못하다(-ji mot-ha-da)? - A:
-지 않다expresses simple negation: "do not" or "is not" (due to choice or fact). For example,저는 술을 마시지 않아요("I don't drink alcohol" – by personal choice). In contrast,-지 못하다expresses inability or impossibility: "cannot" or "unable to" (due to circumstances or lack of ability). For example,저는 술을 마시지 못해요("I can't drink alcohol" – perhaps due to health reasons or legal restrictions). The distinction is between not doing by choice and being unable to do.
- Q: Does
-지 않다work with all verbs and adjectives? - A: Yes,
-지 않다is a highly versatile negation pattern that can be used with virtually all verbs and adjectives in Korean. The only significant exceptions are the idiomatic negations of있다(use없다) and알다(use모르다). It attaches uniformly to the stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant, making its application very consistent and easy to apply.
- Q: How do I negate
하다verbs (Noun +하다) using-지 않다? - A: For
하다verbs like공부하다(to study) or운동하다(to exercise), you simply take the entire stem (e.g.,공부하-,운동하-) and attach-지 않다. For example,공부하지 않아요("I don't study") or운동하지 않습니다("I don't exercise"). This is different from the short negation안, which splits the하다verb (e.g.,공부 안 해요). The long negation preserves the integrity of the compound verb.
Conjugation of -지 않다
| Tense | Polite (해요) | Formal (합니다) |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
먹지 않아요
|
먹지 않습니다
|
|
Past
|
먹지 않았어요
|
먹지 않았습니다
|
|
Future
|
먹지 않을 거예요
|
먹지 않을 것입니다
|
Comparison with Short Negation
| Long Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
가지 않아요
|
안 가요
|
|
먹지 않아요
|
안 먹어요
|
Meanings
This structure is the standard way to negate verbs and adjectives in Korean, often used in formal or written contexts.
General Negation
Used to negate an action or state.
“공부하지 않아요.”
“가지 않아요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 다
|
먹다
|
|
Negative (Long)
|
Verb Stem + 지 않다
|
먹지 않다
|
|
Negative (Short)
|
안 + Verb
|
안 먹다
|
|
Past Negative
|
Verb Stem + 지 않았다
|
먹지 않았다
|
|
Future Negative
|
Verb Stem + 지 않겠다
|
먹지 않겠다
|
|
Question
|
Verb Stem + 지 않나요?
|
먹지 않나요?
|
|
Short Answer
|
아니요, -지 않아요
|
아니요, 먹지 않아요
|
Formality Spectrum
저는 고기를 먹지 않습니다. (Dining)
저는 고기를 먹지 않아요. (Dining)
나 고기 안 먹어. (Dining)
고기 안 먹음. (Dining)
Negation Map
Long Form
- -지 않다 Standard
Short Form
- 안 Casual
Formality Levels
How to Negate
Is it a verb?
Negation Types
Verbs
- • 가다
- • 먹다
- • 자다
Adjectives
- • 예쁘다
- • 크다
- • 춥다
Examples by Level
저는 학교에 가지 않아요.
I do not go to school.
이것은 맛있지 않아요.
This is not delicious.
저는 자지 않아요.
I do not sleep.
그는 오지 않아요.
He does not come.
오늘은 춥지 않습니다.
It is not cold today.
저는 숙제를 하지 않았어요.
I did not do my homework.
그 영화는 재미있지 않았어요.
That movie was not interesting.
우리는 기다리지 않을 거예요.
We will not wait.
그 제안을 받아들이지 않기로 했습니다.
I decided not to accept the proposal.
그는 사실을 말하지 않았던 것 같아요.
I don't think he told the truth.
이 제품은 품질이 좋지 않습니다.
This product's quality is not good.
아무도 그 소식을 알지 못하지 않아요.
It's not that nobody knows the news.
그가 왜 오지 않았는지 이해할 수 없습니다.
I cannot understand why he did not come.
상황이 생각만큼 나쁘지 않다고 봅니다.
I don't think the situation is as bad as you think.
그들은 협력하지 않기로 합의했습니다.
They agreed not to cooperate.
이러한 조치는 충분하지 않은 것으로 보입니다.
These measures do not appear to be sufficient.
그의 행동은 결코 정당화되지 않습니다.
His actions are by no means justified.
우리는 그 결과를 예상하지 않았던 것은 아닙니다.
It is not that we did not anticipate the results.
그는 자신의 잘못을 인정하지 않으려 했습니다.
He tried not to admit his mistake.
그 사실이 알려지지 않기를 바랐습니다.
I hoped that the fact would not be known.
그의 주장은 논리적으로 타당하지 않다는 것이 중론입니다.
The consensus is that his argument is not logically sound.
그는 결코 타협하지 않겠다는 의지를 보였습니다.
He showed a will not to compromise at all.
그 사건은 결코 우연히 발생하지 않았음을 명시해야 합니다.
It must be stated that the incident did not occur by chance.
그녀는 자신의 감정을 드러내지 않으려 부단히 애썼습니다.
She tried hard not to reveal her feelings.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the placement of '안' and the suffix '-지 않다'.
Learners use '지 않다' when they mean 'cannot'.
Learners use '지 않다' for possession.
Common Mistakes
먹다지 않아요
먹지 않아요
먹지 않다요
먹지 않아요
안 먹지 않아요
먹지 않아요
먹지 안아요
먹지 않아요
예쁘지 않다요
예쁘지 않아요
가고 있지 않아요
가지 않고 있어요
먹지 않았아요
먹지 않았어요
먹지 않기로 했어요
먹지 않기로 했어요
먹지 않을 거예요
먹지 않을 거예요
먹지 않음
먹지 않음
먹지 아니한다
먹지 않는다
먹지 않지 않다
먹지 않지 않다
먹지 아니할 수 없다
먹지 않을 수 없다
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___지 않아요.
이것은 ___지 않아요.
저는 어제 ___지 않았어요.
그는 ___지 않을 거예요.
Real World Usage
나 안 가.
그 점에 대해서는 동의하지 않습니다.
양파는 넣지 마세요.
저는 고기를 먹지 않아요.
이거 진짜 좋지 않음?
참석하지 못함을 사과드립니다.
Consistency
Don't Double Negate
Adjective Negation
Formality Matters
Smart Tips
Always use -지 않다 instead of '안' in emails.
Use -지 않다 for adjectives to avoid ambiguity.
Use the formal -지 않습니다 form.
Use the noun form -지 않음.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'h' sound in '않다' is often silent or weak in fast speech.
Aspiration
The 't' sound becomes aspirated.
Statement
먹지 않아요 ↘
Falling intonation for a standard statement.
Question
먹지 않아요? ↗
Rising intonation for a question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ji' as a 'G' (gate) that blocks the verb. 'Ji' stops the verb from happening.
Visual Association
Imagine a red 'X' sign placed after a word. The 'X' is the 'Ji' part, and the 'An-da' is the guard standing there to make sure the action doesn't pass.
Rhyme
Stem plus Ji, then add An-da, now your sentence is a negative star.
Story
Min-su wanted to eat, but he was full. He took his spoon (the verb) and put a 'Ji' block on it. Then he added 'An-da' to guard the block. Now he doesn't eat.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about things you are NOT doing today using -지 않다.
Cultural Notes
Used in all formal settings to show respect.
Often replaced by '안' or shortened to just the verb stem.
The long form is mandatory in formal reports.
The construction comes from the verb '아니하다' (to not do), which evolved into the auxiliary '않다'.
Conversation Starters
오늘 학교에 가요?
이 음식이 맛있어요?
그 영화를 봤어요?
내일 회의에 참석할 거예요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 사과를 ___ 않아요.
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 가다지 않아요.
Which is formal?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I do not sleep.
Answer starts with: 모두 ...
A: 오늘 영화 봐요? B: 아니요, ___.
춥다 + -지 않다 (Formal)
Most formal to least formal.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 사과를 ___ 않아요.
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 가다지 않아요.
Which is formal?
않아요 / 가지 / 저는 / 학교에
I do not sleep.
A: 오늘 영화 봐요? B: 아니요, ___.
춥다 + -지 않다 (Formal)
Most formal to least formal.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises지금 ___.
Arrange: 재미있지 / 책이 / 이 / 않아요
What is the natural long-form negation?
Translate to Korean:
Select the formal negation:
Match the following:
친구를 만나지 ___.
What is the more natural way to say this?
커피가 / 뜨겁지 / 않아요
안 예뻐? 아니, ___.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is universal for all verbs and adjectives.
It's fine, but '안' is more common for quick texts.
Because it acts as the main verb in the negative construction.
Use '못' or '-지 못하다' instead.
Yes, it is the standard formal negation.
Yes, just conjugate '않다' to past tense: '않았어요'.
No, it is very polite and standard.
Keeping the -다 in the verb stem.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No + verb
Placement: Pre-verbal vs. Post-verbal.
ne...pas
Structure: Circumfix vs. Suffix.
nicht
Syntactic flexibility.
-nai
Conjugation rules.
la + verb
Prefix vs. Suffix.
bu
Pre-verbal particle.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Advanced Negation: -지 아니하다 (The 'Long' No)
Overview Korean language learners are first introduced to negation through the simple adverb `안`. While `안` effectivel...
Formal Negation: -ji anta
Overview Korean language learners encounter various methods for expressing negation. While `안` (`an`) offers a concise,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
I Can't! Korean Negation with 'Mot' (못)
Overview In Korean, expressing inability or the state of being unable to perform an action due to external circumstances...
