Meaning
To express impossibility or prohibition.
Cultural Background
Direct refusal is often softened with '죄송하지만' (I'm sorry, but). In business, '안 됩니다' is preferred over '안 돼요'. Parents use '안 돼' to discipline children. Signs often use '안 됨' or '금지'.
Softening the blow
Always add '죄송하지만' (I'm sorry, but) before '안 돼요' to sound polite.
Don't be rude
Using '안 돼' to a stranger or superior is very rude.
Meaning
To express impossibility or prohibition.
Softening the blow
Always add '죄송하지만' (I'm sorry, but) before '안 돼요' to sound polite.
Don't be rude
Using '안 돼' to a stranger or superior is very rude.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
여기서 담배 피우면 ____.
Smoking is prohibited, so '안 돼요' is the correct choice.
Which is the correct spelling?
Choose the correct spelling.
The contraction of '되어' is '돼'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
2 exercises여기서 담배 피우면 ____.
Smoking is prohibited, so '안 돼요' is the correct choice.
Choose the correct spelling.
The contraction of '되어' is '돼'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNo, it is the standard polite form. Only '안 돼' is casual.
It is always '안 돼요', never '안 되요'.
Related Phrases
안 됩니다
specialized formFormal version
안 돼
specialized formCasual version
불가능해요
synonymIt is impossible
어려워요
similarIt is difficult
