A2 noun #700 most common 2 min read

~지 말다

A grammar structure used to tell someone not to do something.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use this to say 'no' to an action. If you want to say 'don't eat', you say '먹지 마세요'. It is very easy to use once you know the verb stem. Just add -지 마세요 to be polite!

At this level, you start using it for more complex instructions. You can tell people 'don't go there' (거기에 가지 마세요) or 'don't drink this' (이거 마시지 마세요). It helps you communicate your needs clearly.

You will see this used in written signs and formal instructions. It is the standard way to express prohibition. You can combine it with various verb tenses to create nuanced negative commands in your daily conversations.

In this stage, you notice the register differences. You might use ~지 말게 for casual, slightly older-sounding speech, or ~지 마라 for blunt, authoritative commands. Understanding these nuances makes you sound much more native.

Advanced learners use this in literary contexts or when giving strong advice. It can be used to express a strong desire for something not to happen, such as in poetry or dramatic dialogue, adding emotional weight to the prohibition.

At the mastery level, you understand the etymological connection between 말다 and the concept of 'stopping'. You can manipulate this structure for rhetorical effect, using it in complex sentence structures to emphasize the importance of avoiding certain behaviors or thoughts.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used for commands
  • Attaches to verb stem
  • Politeness varies
  • Essential for daily life

Hey there! Think of ~지 말다 as your go-to tool for saying 'don't' in Korean. When you want to tell someone to stop an action or prevent them from doing something, you just attach this to the verb stem.

It’s super useful for daily life, whether you're telling a friend don't go or asking someone don't worry. It turns any positive verb into a negative command, making it one of the most important grammar points you'll learn early on!

The word 말다 historically means 'to stop' or 'to cease'. Over time, it evolved into an auxiliary verb used specifically to negate actions in the imperative and propositive moods.

It has deep roots in Middle Korean, where it functioned similarly to indicate the cessation of an act. It’s fascinating how this simple verb became the standard way to express prohibition across all levels of Korean politeness, from casual speech to formal writing.

You use ~지 말다 by taking a verb stem and adding ~지 before 말다. For example, 'eat' (먹다) becomes 'don't eat' (먹지 말다).

Depending on who you are talking to, you change the ending of 말다. Use ~지 마세요 for polite requests, ~지 마 for casual friends, or ~지 마십시오 for very formal settings. It’s incredibly versatile and used everywhere from street signs to friendly texts.

1. 걱정하지 마세요: Don't worry. (Used to comfort someone). 2. 잊지 마세요: Don't forget. (Used for reminders). 3. 늦지 마세요: Don't be late. (Used for appointments). 4. 말하지 마세요: Don't tell. (Used for secrets). 5. 보지 마세요: Don't look. (Used when playing hide and seek).

To form this, take the verb stem and add -지 말다. It is not pluralized as it is a grammatical structure. The pronunciation is straightforward: 'ji' like the start of 'jeep' and 'mal-da' with a clear 'l' sound.

In fast speech, the 'l' sound in 말다 can sometimes blend slightly with the following syllable, but generally, it remains very crisp. There are no specific stress patterns in Korean like in English, so keep it flat and even.

Fun Fact

It originates from the verb '말다' which means to roll or to stop.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dʒi mal-da

Sounds like 'gee mal-dah'

US dʒi mal-da

Sounds like 'jee mal-dah'

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the 'j'
  • Dropping the 'l'
  • Incorrect vowel length

Rhymes With

알다 살다 팔다 갈다 멀다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy

Writing 1/5

Easy

Speaking 1/5

Easy

Listening 1/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

가다 먹다 하다

Learn Next

~지 않다 ~고 싶다

Advanced

~지 말아야 한다

Grammar to Know

Negative Imperative

먹지 마세요

Propositive

먹지 맙시다

Simple Negation

안 먹어요

Examples by Level

1

가지 마세요.

Don't go.

Polite command

2

먹지 마세요.

Don't eat.

Verb stem + 지 마세요

3

보지 마.

Don't look.

Casual form

4

울지 마세요.

Don't cry.

Polite form

5

하지 마.

Don't do it.

Casual

6

자지 마세요.

Don't sleep.

Polite

7

웃지 마.

Don't laugh.

Casual

8

뛰지 마세요.

Don't run.

Polite

1

가지 마세요

2

먹지 마세요

3

보지 마세요

4

울지 마세요

5

하지 마세요

6

자지 마세요

7

웃지 마세요

8

뛰지 마세요

1

가지 마세요

2

먹지 마세요

3

보지 마세요

4

울지 마세요

5

하지 마세요

6

자지 마세요

7

웃지 마세요

8

뛰지 마세요

1

가지 마세요

2

먹지 마세요

3

보지 마세요

4

울지 마세요

5

하지 마세요

6

자지 마세요

7

웃지 마세요

8

뛰지 마세요

1

가지 마세요

2

먹지 마세요

3

보지 마세요

4

울지 마세요

5

하지 마세요

6

자지 마세요

7

웃지 마세요

8

뛰지 마세요

1

가지 마세요

2

먹지 마세요

3

보지 마세요

4

울지 마세요

5

하지 마세요

6

자지 마세요

7

웃지 마세요

8

뛰지 마세요

Common Collocations

걱정하지 마세요
잊지 마세요
늦지 마세요
말하지 마세요
보지 마세요
가지 마세요
뛰지 마세요
울지 마세요
먹지 마세요
웃지 마세요

Idioms & Expressions

"눈 감아 주다"

To turn a blind eye

한 번만 눈 감아 주세요.

neutral

"입을 맞추다"

To collude

입을 맞추지 마세요.

neutral

"손을 떼다"

To wash one's hands of

그 일에서 손을 떼지 마세요.

neutral

"발을 빼다"

To withdraw

지금 발을 빼지 마세요.

neutral

"귀를 막다"

To ignore

귀를 막지 마세요.

neutral

"마음을 먹다"

To make up one's mind

마음을 먹지 마세요.

neutral

Easily Confused

~지 말다 vs ~지 않다

Both are negative

One is factual, one is command

먹지 않다 vs 먹지 마세요

~지 말다 vs 못하다

Negative

Inability

먹지 못하다

~지 말다 vs 안하다

Negative

Simple negation

안 먹다

~지 말다 vs 없다

Negative

Non-existence

없다

Sentence Patterns

A1

Verb stem + 지 마세요

가지 마세요.

A2

Verb stem + 지 마

하지 마.

B1

Verb stem + 지 마십시오

떠들지 마십시오.

B2

Verb stem + 지 말아라

울지 말아라.

C1

Verb stem + 지 말게

하지 말게.

Word Family

Nouns

말 speech/stop

Verbs

말다 to stop

Related

~지 않다 simple negation

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

~지 마십시오 ~지 마세요 ~지 마 ~지 마라

Common Mistakes

Using ~지 말다 with adjectives → Use ~지 않다
Adjectives don't take ~지 말다 because they aren't actions.
Forgetting the stem → Verb stem + 지 말다
Must attach to the stem, not the full verb.
Incorrect politeness level → Match to context
Using casual forms in formal settings is rude.
Confusing with ~지 않다 → Use ~지 않다 for simple negation
~지 말다 is for commands only.
Spelling as ~지 말라 → Depends on conjugation
Ensure the ending matches the sentence type.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Associate with a stop sign.

💡

Native usage

Used for all commands.

🌍

Cultural insight

Politeness is key.

💡

Shortcut

Verb stem + 지 마세요.

💡

Say it right

Clear 'l' sound.

💡

Avoid this

Don't use with adjectives.

💡

Did you know?

It means to stop.

💡

Study smart

Practice with daily verbs.

💡

Practice

Repeat out loud.

💡

Context

Used in signs.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'mall' where you are told NOT to enter.

Visual Association

A stop sign.

Word Web

Prohibition Commands Negation

Challenge

Write 5 'don't' sentences.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: To stop or cease

Cultural Context

Can sound bossy if used incorrectly.

Used like 'Don't' in English.

K-Pop lyrics K-Dramas

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At school

  • 뛰지 마세요
  • 떠들지 마세요
  • 늦지 마세요

At home

  • 먹지 마세요
  • 만지지 마세요
  • 울지 마세요

In public

  • 담배 피우지 마세요
  • 사진 찍지 마세요
  • 가지 마세요

With friends

  • 걱정하지 마
  • 잊지 마
  • 하지 마

Conversation Starters

"Don't you think we should...?"

"Why did you tell me not to...?"

"What should I not do?"

"Is it okay to...?"

"Please don't..."

Journal Prompts

Write 3 things you shouldn't do.

Describe a time someone told you not to do something.

Why is it important to say no?

List 5 rules for your room using 'don't'.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, only verbs.

Add -세요.

No, it's for commands.

말다.

Extremely common.

No.

No, only verb stems.

It can be both.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

거기에 ___ 마세요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 가지

Go is 가다.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'Don't eat'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 먹지 마세요

Eat is 먹다.

true false B1

Can you use ~지 말다 with adjectives?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

Only for action verbs.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Standard phrase.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Correct order.

Score: /5

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