A2 verb #1,000 most common 2 min read

안되다

It means something is not working or is not allowed.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 안되다 when something is not okay. If you want to do something but your teacher says no, they say '안 돼요!' It is very simple. Use it when you are sad or when something is broken.

At this level, you start using it for plans. If your friend asks 'Can we meet at 5?', you can say '5시는 안 돼요' (5 o'clock doesn't work). It is a polite way to say no to a schedule.

You can use it to express empathy. When someone tells you sad news, saying '정말 안됐네요' (That is really too bad) shows you understand their feelings. It is a very useful social tool for building rapport.

Use it for abstract concepts. You might say '그렇게 하면 안 돼요' (You shouldn't do it that way) to give advice or correct behavior. It carries more weight than just saying 'no'—it implies a violation of a standard.

In advanced contexts, 안되다 is used to describe systemic failure or societal issues. You might read in a newspaper that a policy '안 될 것 같다' (seems like it won't work). It is a subtle way to express skepticism about future outcomes.

At the mastery level, you recognize the nuance between 안 되다 (the phrase) and 안되다 (the verb). The former is a negation of the verb 되다, while the latter is a distinct lexical item meaning 'to be pitiable.' Mastering this distinction shows true fluency.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means not to work or fail.
  • Used for prohibition.
  • Used to express pity.
  • Very common in daily life.

Think of 안되다 as the ultimate 'no' word in Korean. It is a combination of 안 (not) and 되다 (to become/work). When you use it, you are basically saying that something isn't happening or isn't allowed to happen.

It is incredibly common because it covers so many scenarios. Whether your phone is broken, you aren't allowed to enter a room, or a plan just fell through, this word is your go-to. It is the linguistic equivalent of a red light.

The word 안되다 stems from the Middle Korean roots of 아니 (not) and 되다 (to become). Historically, 되다 was used to indicate a state of completion or success. By prefixing it with the negation 안, the language created a shorthand for 'failure to reach a state of completion.'

Over centuries, it evolved from purely describing physical processes into a social marker. It became the standard way to express social boundaries and moral disapproval, reflecting the high-context nature of Korean culture.

You will hear 안되다 everywhere. In casual speech, it is often used to express sympathy, like 'That is too bad' (안됐네요). In formal settings, it is used to decline requests or enforce rules.

It pairs well with nouns like 일 (work) or 공부 (study) to describe failure. Remember that the register changes based on conjugation: 안 돼요 is polite, while 안 돼 is casual.

1. 안되면 되게 하라: 'If it doesn't work, make it work' (A classic motivational phrase). 2. 안 될 말이다: 'That is out of the question' (Used to reject an absurd idea). 3. 안 된 일이다: 'It is a pity' (Expressing regret). 4. 잘되고 안 되고: 'Success and failure' (The ups and downs of life). 5. 안 될 리가 없다: 'There is no way it won't work' (Expressing confidence).

Grammatically, 안되다 is a verb. It is often used with the particle -면 (if) to form conditional sentences like 안 되면 (if it doesn't work). The pronunciation is straightforward, but watch the liaison between the 'n' sound and the 'd' sound.

IPA: [an-dwe-da]. It rhymes with words like 안개다 (to clear up) in terms of rhythm, though the meanings are vastly different. Stress usually falls on the first syllable.

Fun Fact

It reflects the Korean value of 'process' over 'result'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK an-dwe-da

Crisp 'an' followed by 'dwe'

US an-dwe-da

Flat 'a' sound

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing 'dwe'
  • Adding extra vowels
  • Wrong stress

Rhymes With

안개다 반대다 안대다 만대다 잔대다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to write

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

안 되다 하다

Learn Next

불가능하다 실패하다 어렵다

Advanced

안쓰럽다 안타깝다

Grammar to Know

Negation

안 먹어요

Conditional

하면

Politeness

요

Examples by Level

1

그거 안 돼요.

That does not work.

Polite ending.

2

지금은 안 돼요.

Now is not okay.

Time marker.

3

안 돼요!

No!

Simple command.

4

이거 안 돼요.

This is broken.

Subject marker.

5

안 될까요?

Is it not possible?

Question form.

6

안 되면 어떡하죠?

What if it fails?

Conditional.

7

안 된대요.

They say it is not allowed.

Reported speech.

8

정말 안 돼요.

It really does not work.

Adverb usage.

1

그 계획은 안 될 것 같아요.

2

여기서 담배 피우면 안 돼요.

3

사진 찍으면 안 돼요.

4

시간이 안 돼서 미안해요.

5

그건 안 되는 일이에요.

6

공부가 잘 안 돼요.

7

왜 안 돼요?

8

다 안 돼요.

1

그렇게 말하면 안 돼요.

2

성적이 잘 안 돼서 고민이에요.

3

일이 생각처럼 안 되네요.

4

그럼 안 될 이유가 없죠.

5

안 된 일이지만 어쩔 수 없어요.

6

그는 안 되는 사람이에요.

7

안 될 것 같으면 말해줘요.

8

모두가 안 된다고 했어요.

1

그건 도덕적으로 안 되는 행동이에요.

2

사업이 잘 안 돼서 문을 닫았어요.

3

안 될 거라는 생각은 버리세요.

4

그는 안 되는 일만 골라서 해요.

5

안 될 줄 알면서도 도전했어요.

6

그런 식으로 하면 안 될 텐데요.

7

안 되는 게 어디 있어요?

8

안 될 이유를 찾지 마세요.

1

그 정책은 시행해도 안 될 것이 자명하다.

2

안 되는 집안은 뭘 해도 안 된다.

3

그의 시도는 결국 안 되고 말았다.

4

안 될 것을 알면서도 희망을 품었다.

5

그런 안 되는 소리는 하지 마라.

6

안 되는 일에 매달리지 마세요.

7

사회적 합의가 안 되면 안 된다.

8

모든 것이 안 되는 상황이었다.

1

안된 사람을 보면 마음이 아프다.

2

그는 안된 처지에 놓여 있었다.

3

인생이 안 될 때는 잠시 쉬어가라.

4

안 될 리가 없다고 생각했다.

5

그들의 관계는 결국 안 되고 말았다.

6

안 되는 것은 과감히 포기해야 한다.

7

그는 참 안된 사람이다.

8

세상 일이 마음대로 안 되는 법이다.

Common Collocations

일이 안 되다
공부가 안 되다
말이 안 되다
시간이 안 되다
안 될 것 같다
안 되는 일
절대 안 되다
잘 안 되다
안 될 리가 없다
안 되게 하다

Idioms & Expressions

"말이 안 되다"

It makes no sense

그건 말이 안 돼요.

casual

"안 되면 되게 하라"

Force it to work

안 되면 되게 하라!

motivational

"안 된 일이다"

It is a pity

참 안 된 일이에요.

neutral

"안 될 말"

Nonsense/Out of the question

그건 안 될 말이에요.

formal

"잘되고 안 되고"

Success and failure

잘되고 안 되고는 운이다.

neutral

"안 될 리가 없다"

It must work

안 될 리가 없잖아!

casual

Easily Confused

안되다 vs 안하다

Both start with '안'

안하다 is 'not to do' (choice), 안되다 is 'cannot' (inability)

공부를 안해요 vs 공부가 안돼요

안되다 vs 못하다

Both mean 'cannot'

못하다 is lack of ability, 안되다 is external failure

수영을 못해요 vs 수영이 안돼요

안되다 vs 없다

Both express negation

없다 is non-existence, 안되다 is non-functioning

시간이 없어요 vs 시간이 안돼요

안되다 vs 안쓰럽다

Both used for pity

안쓰럽다 is the feeling of pity, 안되다 is the situation

안쓰러운 마음 vs 안된 상황

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + -가/이 + 안 되다

일이 안 돼요.

A2

Verb + -면 + 안 되다

먹으면 안 돼요.

B1

Subject + -가/이 + 안 될 것 같다

안 될 것 같아요.

B2

안 될 이유가 없다

안 될 이유가 없어요.

C1

안 된 사람

그는 안 된 사람이에요.

Word Family

Nouns

안됨 failure/inability

Verbs

되다 to become

Adjectives

안된 pitiable/unfortunate

Related

못하다 similar negation

How to Use It

frequency

10/10

Formality Scale

불가능합니다 (Formal) 안 돼요 (Polite) 안 돼 (Casual) 안 되네 (Slang/Exclamation)

Common Mistakes

Using '안되다' as one word for everything → Distinguish between '안 되다' (phrase) and '안되다' (verb)
One is negation, the other is a state of pity.
Confusing with '안하다' → Use '안하다' for choice, '안되다' for inability
One is refusal, one is impossibility.
Overusing in formal writing → Use '불가능하다' in academic papers
안되다 is too conversational.
Incorrect spacing → Always space '안' from '되다' when negating
Grammar rule for negation.
Misusing for physical objects → Use '고장 나다' for broken items
안되다 is for processes.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a broken robot saying '안 돼!'

💡

Native Context

Use it when declining invitations.

🌍

Cultural Insight

It shows empathy for others.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

It is always a verb.

💡

Say It Right

Focus on the 'dwe' sound.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't confuse with '안하다'.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the most used words.

💡

Study Smart

Learn it with collocations.

💡

Politeness

Always use '안 돼요' with strangers.

🌍

Social Norms

Use it to set boundaries.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

An (No) + Dwe (Do) = No Do!

Visual Association

A broken lightbulb.

Word Web

Failure Prohibition Pity Impossibility

Challenge

Say '안 돼요' to five things today.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Not to become

Cultural Context

Can sound rude if used to dismiss someone.

Similar to 'doesn't work' or 'can't'.

Korean dramas (frequent usage) Motivational posters

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 그건 안 됩니다
  • 일이 안 돼요
  • 시간이 안 돼요

School

  • 공부가 안 돼요
  • 이해가 안 돼요
  • 안 돼요!

Social

  • 안 됐네요
  • 안 될 것 같아요
  • 안 될 리가 없죠

Travel

  • 안 돼요?
  • 여기는 안 돼요
  • 안 되는 건가요?

Conversation Starters

"오늘 일이 잘 안 되나요?"

"왜 안 된다고 생각하세요?"

"안 될 상황에서 어떻게 하세요?"

"안 되는 일을 포기한 적 있나요?"

"안 된 사람을 보면 어떤 마음인가요?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time things didn't work out.

Describe a situation where you had to say no.

How do you handle failure?

What does '안되다' mean to you personally?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It depends on the meaning; usually two when negating.

Yes, to express pity.

Depends on the tone.

안 됐어요.

No, use other verbs.

Often, yes.

Yes, for declining.

되다/가능하다.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

내일은 시간이 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 안 돼요

Time doesn't work.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'It is not allowed'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 안 돼요

Standard phrase for prohibition.

true false B1

'안되다' can mean 'to be pitiable'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, in the context of '안된 사람'.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Collocations.

sentence order B2

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

Correct structure.

fill blank B2

그 계획은 결국 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 안 됐어요

Past tense failure.

multiple choice C1

What is the formal synonym for '안되다'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 불가능하다

Formal register.

true false C1

You should use '안되다' in academic papers.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

Use '불가능하다' instead.

sentence order C2

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

Strong confidence.

fill blank C2

그의 처지가 참 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 안됐다

Pitiable state.

Score: /10

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