Formal Negation: -ji anta
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To make a verb negative in Korean, simply add -ji anta to the verb stem.
- Take the verb stem (remove -da): '먹다' (to eat) -> '먹'.
- Attach -ji: '먹' + '지' = '먹지'.
- Add the negative auxiliary 'anta': '먹지 않다' (do not eat).
Overview
Korean language learners encounter various methods for expressing negation. While 안 (an) offers a concise, pre-verbal negation, the -지 않다 (-ji anta) construction provides a more grammatically flexible and often more formal alternative. This pattern functions as the primary long-form negation for both action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives), allowing you to express "do not," "is not," or "does not" in a structured manner.
Its usage signals a conscious choice not to perform an action or describes a state that is not true. Understanding -지 않다 is crucial for developing accurate and contextually appropriate Korean communication, especially as you navigate situations requiring politeness or written expression.
Unlike 안, which directly precedes the verb or adjective it negates, -지 않다 attaches to the verb or adjective stem, with the auxiliary verb 않다 then handling all subsequent conjugations for tense, mood, and speech level. This structure allows for greater nuance in formality and a clearer separation of the verb's core meaning from its negation. It is the grammatical workhorse for expressing non-existence or non-action when a more complete or formal statement is required, making it indispensable for A2 learners aiming for foundational fluency.
How This Grammar Works
-지 않다 structure operates by taking the base form of any action verb or descriptive verb (adjective), isolating its stem, and then appending the suffix -지 (-ji). This -지 acts as a connective element, fixing the main verb's meaning while preparing it for the auxiliary negation 않다 (anta). The critical insight is that 않다 is a separate verb, meaning "to not do" or "to not be," and it is this auxiliary verb that carries all the necessary grammatical inflections for politeness, tense, and mood.-지 is attached, remains unchanged throughout the negation process.가지 않아요 (gaji anayo), 가 (ga, the stem of 가다 – to go) signifies the action of going, while 않아요 (anayo, the conjugated form of 않다) expresses the negation in the present polite tense. This makes the construction highly versatile and grammatically robust.공부하다 – gongbuhada, to study), where inserting 안 can sometimes feel unnatural or create ambiguity. By using -지 않다, you clearly apply the negation to the entire concept of "studying," resulting in 공부하지 않아요 (gongbuhaji anayo), which translates to "I do not study."-지 않다 feels more deliberate and complete than simply placing 안 before a verb; it's a full verbal construction rather than a simple adverbial modification.Word Order Rules
-지 않다 negation follows the typical Korean Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) pattern, with the negation occurring at the very end of the verbal phrase. The key is that -지 않다 forms a complete verbal unit with the main verb stem, serving as the predicate of the sentence.-지 않다 (conjugated)저는 사과를 먹지 않아요 (jeoneun sagwareul meokji anayo). Here, 저 (jeo) is the subject, 사과를 (sagwareul) is the object, 먹지 (meokji) is the verb stem 먹 (meok) plus -지, and 않아요 (anayo) is the conjugated auxiliary verb. The entire -지 않아요 unit acts as the main predicate, conveying the negated action.안, which generally precedes the verb or adjective: 저는 사과를 안 먹어요 (jeoneun sagwareul an meogeoyo). The -지 않다 form is a post-verbal negation, in the sense that the negation particle -지 is after the verb stem, and the auxiliary 않다 comes after that. This makes it a longer, more explicit construction.안 in complex sentences or with certain verb structures.Formation Pattern
-지 않다 negation is remarkably consistent, requiring only the verb or adjective stem. There are no irregular conjugations specific to the -지 attachment itself; all variations occur within the auxiliary verb 않다.
다 (da) from the dictionary form of the verb or adjective.
가다 (gada, to go) → Stem: 가 (ga)
먹다 (meokda, to eat) → Stem: 먹 (meok)
예쁘다 (yeppeuda, to be pretty) → Stem: 예쁘 (yeppeu)
-지: Directly append -지 to the stem. Ensure there is no space between the stem and -지.
가 + -지 → 가지 (gaji)
먹 + -지 → 먹지 (meokji)
예쁘 + -지 → 예쁘지 (yeppeuji)
않다: Add 않다 after -지. Crucially, there must be a space between -지 and 않다.
가지 + 않다 → 가지 않다 (gaji anta)
먹지 + 않다 → 먹지 않다 (meokji anta)
예쁘지 + 않다 → 예쁘지 않다 (yeppeuji anta)
않다: This is where the politeness level and tense are determined. Conjugate 않다 as you would any regular verb. The stem of 않다 is 않 (an).
않다:
-ㅂ니다/-습니다) | Casual Polite (-아요/-어요) | Plain/Informal (-아/-어) | Future (-ㄹ/을 거예요) | Past (-았/었) |
않습니다 (anseumnida) | 않아요 (anayo) | 않아 (ana) | 않을 거예요 (aneul geoyeoyo) | 않았어요 (anasseoyo) |
가다 (to go):
가지 않다 | gaji anta | to not go |
가지 않습니다 | gaji anseumnida | I do not go. (formal) |
가지 않아요 | gaji anayo | I do not go. (polite) |
가지 않아 | gaji ana | I don't go. (casual) |
가지 않았습니다 | gaji anasseumnida | I did not go. (formal) |
가지 않았어요 | gaji anasseoyo | I did not go. (polite) |
가지 않을 거예요 | gaji aneul geoyeoyo | I will not go. (polite) |
-(으)시 (-(eu)si) suffix is attached to the auxiliary verb 않다, specifically to its stem 않, before adding the final conjugation. It is not attached to the main verb stem. This signifies respect for the subject performing the non-action or non-state.
하시다 (hasida, to do, honorific) → 하시지 않다 (hasiji anta, to not do, honorific)
하시지 않으십니다 (hasiji aneusimnida, formal polite) / 하시지 않으세요 (hasiji aneusseyo, casual polite)
Seonsaengnim-eun sukje-reul hasiji aneusimnida.) - The teacher does not do homework. (Respectfully stated.)
When To Use It
-지 않다 construction serves several key functions in Korean, extending beyond a simple negative statement. Its usage implies specific nuances related to formality, clarity, and the nature of the negation itself.-지 않다 over 안. It inherently conveys a greater degree of formality and politeness. In formal speeches, business communications, academic writing, news reports, and respectful conversations, -지 않다 is the preferred negation method.안.- Example: 저는 담배를 피우지 않습니다. (
Jeoneun dambae-reul piuji anseumnida.) - I do not smoke. (Formal and direct statement, often seen in official contexts or with strangers.) - Example: 날씨가 좋지 않아요. (
Nalssiga jochi anayo.) - The weather is not good. (Polite and gentle way to express a negative observation.)
하다 (hada, to do) (e.g., 공부하다 – to study, 운동하다 – to exercise). While 안 can sometimes be placed before 하다 (e.g., 공부 안 하다), the -지 않다 form is often clearer and more natural, especially with longer verbs.- Compare:
운동 안 해요vs.운동하지 않아요(undonghaji anayo). Both mean "I don't exercise," but운동하지 않아요flows more smoothly and feels more complete. - This becomes even more apparent with verbs like
생각하다(saenggakhada, to think):생각 안 해요(saenggak an haeyo) is acceptable, but생각하지 않아요(saenggakhaji anayo) can emphasize the negation of the entire thought process.
-지 않다 is used when you are deliberately choosing not to do something, or when you are stating a factual non-occurrence or non-existence. It highlights volition or the objective truth of a non-state.- Example of conscious refusal: 저는 그 일을 하고 싶지 않아요. (
Jeoneun geu il-eul hago sipji anayo.) - I do not want to do that work. (A clear statement of one's will.) - Example of stating a fact: 그 가게는 주말에 문 열지 않아요. (
Geu gage-neun jumal-e mun yeolji anayo.) - That store does not open on weekends. (A factual statement about the store's operating hours.)
-지 to the adjective stem and then conjugate 않다.- Example: 그 옷은 비싸지 않아요. (
Geu os-eun bissaji anayo.) - Those clothes are not expensive. - Example: 그 영화는 재미있지 않습니다. (
Geu yeonghwa-neun jaemiitji anseumnida.) - That movie is not interesting.
-지 않다 is the standard for negation. Its structured nature is well-suited for written communication, where clarity and grammatical completeness are paramount. While 안 might appear in very informal written dialogue (like texting), -지 않다 maintains its strong presence across all other written forms, solidifying its role as the backbone of written Korean negation.Common Mistakes
-지 않다. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes can significantly accelerate mastery of this negation pattern.안 with -지 않다. This creates an awkward and grammatically incorrect double negative, similar to saying "I don't not go" in English.- Incorrect: ❌
저는 안 가지 않아요.(Jeoneun an gaji anayo.) - This literally translates to something like, "I don't not go." - Correct: ✅
저는 가지 않아요.(Jeoneun gaji anayo.) - I do not go. - Correct (short form): ✅
저는 안 가요.(Jeoneun an gayo.) - I don't go.
안 or -지 않다 for a single negation, not both. They are alternative ways to express the same negative meaning, chosen based on context and desired formality, not combined.-지) should never be conjugated for tense or politeness when used with -지 않다. All grammatical inflections belong solely to the auxiliary 않다.- Incorrect (Past Tense): ❌
저는 갔지 않아요.(Jeoneun gatji anayo.) - Attempting to put past tense on가다(gada). - Correct (Past Tense): ✅
저는 가지 않았어요.(Jeoneun gaji anasseoyo.) - I did not go.
-지 acts as a neutral connector. The main verb's role is to provide the core action or state, while 않다 performs the grammatical work of negation and conjugation. Changing the main verb's stem before -지 disrupts this grammatical division of labor.-지 않다 is no exception. There should be no space between the verb/adjective stem and -지, but there must be a space between -지 and 않다.- Incorrect (no space between -지 and 않다): ❌
저는 먹지않아요.(Jeoneun meokjianayo.) - Incorrect (space between stem and -지): ❌
저는 먹 지 않아요.(Jeoneun meok ji anayo.) - Correct: ✅
저는 먹지 않아요.(Jeoneun meokji anayo.) - I do not eat.
가지 (gaji) functions as a single unit, but 가지 and 않아요 are distinct components (main verb phrase + auxiliary verb) that combine to form the predicate.-지 않다 with -지 못하다:-지, their meanings are fundamentally different. -지 않다 expresses a choice not to do something or a factual non-state. -지 못하다 (-ji mothada) expresses an inability to do something due to external circumstances or lack of skill.저는 술을 마시지 않아요.(Jeoneun sur-eul masiji anayo.) - I do not drink alcohol. (A choice.)저는 술을 마시지 못해요.(Jeoneun sur-eul masiji mothaeyo.) - I cannot drink alcohol. (Perhaps I'm underage, allergic, or have a medical condition preventing it.)
안 (not, choice/fact) and 못 (cannot, inability). Since 않다 corresponds to 안 and 못하다 corresponds to 못, mixing them up changes the entire implication of the sentence.Contrast With Similar Patterns
-지 않다 is enhanced by comparing it with other negation patterns in Korean, particularly 안 and -지 못하다. These comparisons highlight the specific contexts and nuances where each form is appropriate.안 vs. -지 않다:안 (an) | -지 않다 (-ji anta) |하다 in compound verbs. | Attaches -지 to stem, followed by conjugated 않다. |안 예쁘다 - not pretty). | Also natural (예쁘지 않다 - not pretty). |공부 안 하다 often preferred over 안 공부하다). | Smooth and natural (공부하지 않다). |- Example:
저는 커피 안 마셔요.(Jeoneun keopi an masyeoyo.) - I don't drink coffee. (Casual, simple statement.) - Example:
저는 커피를 마시지 않아요.(Jeoneun keopi-reul masiji anayo.) - I do not drink coffee. (Polite, more complete statement, perhaps when refusing an offer.)
안 and -지 않다 is often a matter of register and perceived nuance. While both convey negation, -지 않다 provides a fuller, more considered expression, which aligns with more formal or polite social interactions in Korean culture.-지 않다 vs. -지 못하다:-지 않다 (-ji anta) | -지 못하다 (-ji mothada) |안 (an) | 못 (mot) |- Example:
저는 수영을 배우지 않아요.(Jeoneun suyeong-eul baeuji anayo.) - I do not learn swimming. (It's my choice not to.) - Example:
저는 수영을 배우지 못해요.(Jeoneun suyeong-eul baeuji mothaeyo.) - I cannot learn swimming. (Perhaps I have no time, no money, or no access to a pool.)
-지 않다 vs. -지 말다 (-ji malda):-지 않다 is a general negation, -지 말다 is specifically used to form negative commands or prohibitions. It translates to "don't do..." or "stop doing...".가지 마세요.(Gaji maseyo.) - Please don't go. (A command/prohibition.)가지 않아요.(Gaji anayo.) - I don't go. (A statement of fact/choice.)
-지, serve entirely different communicative functions. Learning to differentiate them allows for precise expression in diverse situations.Real Conversations
Observing -지 않다 in authentic dialogue demonstrates its versatility across various social contexts, from professional settings to polite daily exchanges. Pay attention to the formality and implied nuance in each scenario.
Scenario 1
In a business meeting, a manager needs to state that a certain budget has not been approved.
- Manager Kim: 김 과장님, 이번 프로젝트 예산은 승인되었습니까? (Gim Gwajangnim, ibeon peurojekteu yesan-eun seungin-doe-eosseumnikka?) - Manager Kim, has the budget for this project been approved?
- Manager Lee: 죄송합니다만, 아직 승인되지 않았습니다. 다음 주에 다시 보고드리겠습니다. (Joesonghamnida-man, ajik seungin-doeji anasseumnida. Daeum ju-e dasi bogodeurigeosseumnida.) - I'm sorry, but it has not been approved yet. I will report back next week.
Explanation
승인되지 않았습니다 (seungin-doeji anasseumnida) conveys a formal and clear statement of fact, appropriate for a business context. It avoids the potentially blunt 안 되었어요 (an doeeosseoyo).Scenario 2
A friend offers you coffee, but you prefer not to drink it.
- Friend: 커피 한잔 할래요? (Keopi hanjan hallaeyo?) - Want a cup of coffee?
- You: 아니요, 괜찮아요. 저는 요즘 밤에 커피를 마시지 않아요. (Aniyo, gwaenchannayo. Jeoneun yojeum bam-e keopi-reul masiji anayo.) - No, I'm okay. I don't drink coffee at night these days.
Explanation
마시지 않아요 (masiji anayo) is a polite way to state your choice. It's softer than 안 마셔요 (an masyeoyo) when declining an offer.Scenario 3
Discussing personal preferences or habits.
- Colleague: 주말에 등산 자주 가세요? (Jumal-e deungsan jaju gaseyo?) - Do you often go hiking on weekends?
- You: 아니요, 저는 운동을 좋아하지 않아요. 그래서 주말에 등산을 가지 않아요. (Aniyo, jeoneun undong-eul joahaji anayo. Geuraeseo jumal-e deungsan-eul gaji anayo.) - No, I don't like exercise. So I don't go hiking on weekends.
Explanation
좋아하지 않아요 (joahaji anayo) and 가지 않아요 (gaji anayo) are used to state personal preferences and habits. The long form provides a clear and complete statement suitable for general conversation.Scenario 4
Describing something that lacks a certain quality.
- Friend: 그 식당 음식 맛있어요? (Geu sikdang eumsin masisseoyo?) - Is the food at that restaurant delicious?
- You: 솔직히, 그렇게 맛있지 않아요. (Soljikhi, geureoke masitji anayo.) - Honestly, it's not that delicious.
Explanation
맛있지 않아요 (masitji anayo) is a common way to negate an adjective politely, offering a gentle critique rather than a harsh one.Quick FAQ
-지 않다 to solidify your understanding.-(으)시 (honorifics) with -지 않다?Yes, absolutely. The honorific suffix -(으)시 is attached to the stem of the auxiliary verb 않다 (i.e., 않으시다), not the main verb stem. So, for 가다 (to go) and an honored subject, it becomes 가지 않으시다, which then conjugates to forms like 가지 않으십니다 (formal polite) or 가지 않으세요 (casual polite).
안 always interchangeable with -지 않다?While they both express negation, they are not always interchangeable in terms of nuance and formality. 안 is typically more concise and informal, suitable for casual speech. -지 않다 is generally more formal, deliberate, and sounds more complete. There are also instances, particularly with long or compound verbs, where -지 않다 might feel more natural and less awkward than 안.
-지 않다 in casual speech?You can certainly use 가지 않아 (gaji ana, informal plain form of 가지 않다) in casual speech, especially if you want to sound more emphatic or provide a fuller statement of refusal or non-fact compared to a very brief 안 가 (an ga). While 안 is often preferred for extreme brevity, -지 않다 forms in 해체 (haeche) can convey a more considered or slightly firmer tone, even among close friends.
-지 않다 be used with nouns or particles?No. The -지 않다 construction is specifically for negating action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives). To negate nouns, you would typically use 아니다 (anida, to not be) or 없다 (eopda, to not have/exist). For example, 학생이 아닙니다 (haksaeng-i animnida, I am not a student) or 돈이 없어요 (don-i eopseoyo, I don't have money).
-지 않다 over 안?You should prioritize -지 않다 in formal writing (reports, essays, official documents), public speaking, or when you want to express a negation with a higher degree of politeness and completeness. It's also often preferred for compound verbs (e.g., those ending in 하다) and when you want to clearly articulate a conscious decision not to do something, or a factual non-state, rather than a simple, brief denial.
Conjugation of -ji anta
| 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 |
|---|---|
|
먹지 않아요
|
안 먹어요
|
|
가지 않아요
|
안 가요
|
Meanings
This structure is the standard way to negate descriptive and action verbs in Korean, indicating that an action does not occur or a state does not exist.
Action Negation
Used to negate an action verb.
“공부하지 않아요.”
“가지 않아요.”
State Negation
Used to negate a descriptive verb (adjective).
“예쁘지 않아요.”
“크지 않아요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + da
|
먹다
|
|
Negative (Long)
|
Verb + ji anta
|
먹지 않다
|
|
Negative (Short)
|
An + Verb
|
안 먹다
|
|
Past Negative
|
Verb + ji anatta
|
먹지 않았다
|
|
Future Negative
|
Verb + ji anheul geo
|
먹지 않을 거야
|
|
Question
|
Verb + ji anayo?
|
먹지 않아요?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Aniyo, -ji anayo
|
아니요, 먹지 않아요
|
Formality Spectrum
고기를 먹지 않습니다. (Dining)
고기를 먹지 않아요. (Dining)
고기 안 먹어. (Dining)
고기 안 먹음. (Dining)
Negation Map
Long Form
- -지 않다 Formal/Standard
Short Form
- 안 Casual
Register Comparison
Negation Decision
Is it formal?
Verb Types
Verbs
- • Action
- • Descriptive
Examples by Level
저는 먹지 않아요.
I do not eat.
가지 않아요.
I do not go.
보지 않아요.
I do not see.
하지 않아요.
I do not do.
오늘 학교에 가지 않아요.
I am not going to school today.
이것은 작지 않아요.
This is not small.
저는 커피를 마시지 않아요.
I do not drink coffee.
그 영화를 보지 않았어요.
I did not watch that movie.
회의에 참석하지 않을 것입니다.
I will not attend the meeting.
그 제안은 좋지 않다고 생각합니다.
I don't think that proposal is good.
아직 결정을 내리지 않았습니다.
I have not made a decision yet.
그렇게 말하지 않는 것이 좋습니다.
It is better not to say it like that.
상황이 생각만큼 좋지 않았습니다.
The situation was not as good as I thought.
규정을 준수하지 않으면 안 됩니다.
You must comply with the regulations.
그는 자신의 잘못을 인정하지 않았습니다.
He did not admit his mistake.
우리는 포기하지 않을 것입니다.
We will not give up.
그의 주장은 논리적이지 않다는 평가를 받았습니다.
His argument was evaluated as not being logical.
변화가 필요하지 않다고 주장하는 사람은 없습니다.
No one argues that change is not necessary.
그 사실을 인지하지 못했다는 것은 변명이 되지 않습니다.
Not being aware of the fact is not an excuse.
결코 쉽지 않은 결정이었음을 이해합니다.
I understand that it was by no means an easy decision.
본 사안은 결코 가볍게 다루어지지 않아야 합니다.
This matter must by no means be treated lightly.
그의 행보는 대중의 기대에 부합하지 않는 것으로 보입니다.
His actions appear not to meet the public's expectations.
그러한 방식으로는 문제를 해결하지 못할 것이 자명합니다.
It is self-evident that you will not be able to solve the problem that way.
그의 언행은 결코 예의 바르지 않다고 할 수 있습니다.
One could say that his words and actions are by no means polite.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'not', but register differs.
Both negate, but '못' means inability.
Similar to above.
Common Mistakes
먹지 안아요
먹지 않아요
안 먹지 않아요
먹지 않아요
먹지다 않아요
먹지 않아요
먹지 안습니다
먹지 않습니다
예쁘지 안아요
예쁘지 않아요
가다지 않아요
가지 않아요
먹지 않다요
먹지 않아요
먹지 안았어요
먹지 않았어요
먹지 않겠어요
먹지 않을 거예요
먹지 안을 거예요
먹지 않을 거예요
먹지 아니하다
먹지 않다
먹지 않음이 아니다
먹지 않는 것이 아니다
먹지 않게 되었다
먹지 않게 되었다
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___을/를 먹지 않아요.
오늘 ___에 가지 않아요.
그것은 ___지 않아요.
저는 ___을/를 하지 않을 거예요.
Real World Usage
그 업무를 경험하지 않았습니다.
오늘 안 가.
고수는 넣지 마세요.
참석하지 못함을 알립니다.
이 길로 가지 않아요.
좋아하지 않음.
Check the stem
Don't double negate
Conjugate the end
Register matters
Smart Tips
Always use -ji anta instead of '안'.
Use the formal -ji 않습니다 form.
Use -ji anta for adjectives.
Use -ji anta to be safe.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ji' and 'an' often link smoothly.
Statement
먹지 않아요 ↘
Neutral statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Ji-anta sounds like 'Gee, I don't-a'. Use it when you want to be formal.
Visual Association
Imagine a polite butler holding a tray with a sign that says '-ji anta' to politely decline an offer.
Rhyme
To say no in a formal way, add -ji anta every day.
Story
Min-su was at a fancy dinner. He didn't want the soup. Instead of saying '안 먹어' (casual), he politely said '먹지 않습니다' (formal). The host was impressed by his manners.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about things you don't do using -ji anta.
Cultural Notes
Using -ji anta is essential for showing respect to superiors.
Formal writing almost exclusively uses -ji anta.
Using this with friends can sound distant.
The structure comes from the verb '아니하다' (to not do).
Conversation Starters
오늘 커피 마셨어요?
내일 학교에 가요?
이 영화 재미있어요?
그 계획에 동의하세요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 사과를 ___ 않아요.
Which is formal?
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 가지 안아요.
가요 -> ?
'-ji anta' is used for casual speech.
A: 커피 마셔요? B: 아니요, ___.
I / not / go / school.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 사과를 ___ 않아요.
Which is formal?
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 가지 안아요.
가요 -> ?
'-ji anta' is used for casual speech.
A: 커피 마셔요? B: 아니요, ___.
I / not / go / school.
Match past negative.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises날씨가 ___지 않아요.
내일은 운동___.
Translate: I don't like it.
Arrange:
Match verbs:
먹 지 않아요.
어제 옷을 사___ 않았어요.
저는 모르___.
Arrange:
Translate: It wasn't spicy.
선생님은 책을 읽___ 않으세요.
자다지 않아요.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, it works for action and descriptive verbs.
Meaning is the same, but register is different.
Conjugate 'anta' to past tense: '않았어요'.
It can sound a bit distant or formal.
It's a standard spelling rule in Korean.
Yes, '먹지 않아요?' is common.
You might sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect.
Yes, it is the standard for formal writing.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No + verb
Korean is suffix-based, Spanish is prefix-based.
ne...pas
Korean negation is attached to the verb stem.
nicht
Korean negation is part of the verb conjugation.
nai
The specific suffix forms differ.
la/lam
Korean uses a compound verb structure.
bu/mei
Korean is suffix-heavy.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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...
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...
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...
