Learning a new language involves not only acquiring vocabulary but also understanding its grammar structures. One such important structure in the Korean language is “하면 안 되다”. This grammar construction is used to express prohibitions or convey recommendations, indicating actions that should not be done or are not allowed. Mastering this structure is crucial for effective communication and navigating social etiquette in Korean-speaking contexts.
In previous lesson, we have covered how to say things like “Is it ok to….” or ” You don’t have to….”. In this lesson we will look at how to say things like “You shouldn’t…”.
Conjugation
VERB STEM + (으)면 안 되다
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop “다” i.e. 가
- Add the appropriate ending based on the following rules:
- If the verb ends in a vowel, add 면 안 되다
- If the verb ends in a consonant, add 으면 안 되다
Now, “되다” is also in its original verb form so we need to conjugate it to the present tense. So 되다 becomes 돼요. So the full phrase will be 가면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t go)
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 으면 안 돼요 –> 먹으면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t eat)
- 오다 –> 오 + 면 안 돼요 –> 오면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t come)
- 보다 –> 보 + 면 안 돼요 –> 보면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t see)
- 하다 –> 하 + 면 안 돼요 –> 하면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t do)
- 놀다 –> 놀 + 놀면 안 돼요 –> 놀면 안 돼요 (Shouldn’t play/hang out)
Understanding the meaning
Let’s break down the phrase so that you can understand why it means what it means.
면
“면” is a conditional particle that is used to indicate a conditional or hypothetical situation. It is often translated as “if” or “when” in English. When combined with verbs or verb phrases, “면” creates a conditional clause that expresses a condition upon which something else may happen or a result may occur. It is used to describe hypothetical or possible situations. It sets up a condition and suggests a potential outcome or consequence.
- 먹으면 – (if I eat/when I eat)
- 보면 – (if I see/when I see)
- 만나면 – (if I meet/when I meet)
- 자면 – (if I sleep/when I sleep)
- 나가면 – (if I sleep/when I sleep)
안 돼요
We have covered the verb 되다 in a previous lesson and so you should know that it can have few different meanings. In this case “안 돼요” is translated to as “not okay”.
So let’s have a look at each of the elements:
- 가 – go
- 면 – if
- 안 – not
- 돼요 – okay
Since the order is in Korean, it might not yet make enough sense so let’s re-arrange it a little.
- 면 – if
- 가 – go
- 안 – not
- 돼요 – okay
The above essentially means “If you go, it’s not okay” and therefore gets translated to “You shouldn’t go”. As previously mentioned, not everything can be literally translated from one language to another but understanding the thinking behind it will hopefully help you remember it better.
Examples
- 늦으면 안 돼요. – It’s not okay to be late –> You shouldn’t be late.
- 지하철에서 음식을 먹으면 안 돼요. – It’s not ok to eat food in the subway –> You shouldn’t eat food in the subway
- 이 방에서는 신발을 신으면 안 돼요. – It’s not ok to wear shoes in this room –> You shouldn’t wear shoes in this room.
- 영화관에서는 대화를 하면 안 돼요. – It’s not ok to talk in the cinema. –> You shouldn’t talk in the cinema.
- 여기서 사진 찍으면 안 돼요. – It’s not ok to take pictures here –> You shouldn’t take pictures here.
Cultural point
Korean culture has a huge effect on the Korean language. Korean people were always taught what is right and what is wrong, what is expected of them and how they should behave in certain situations. The Korean language is not also a very direct language and we can see that through many expressions or ways they choose their words.
In this case, instead of directly saying “You shouldn’t do something”, using the -(으)면 안돼요 structure is a general way of saying something is not ok to do.
-(으)면 안 돼요 used with questions
Let’s have a look at what happens when we use this structure as a question.
- 여기 앉으면 안 돼요?
If we literally look at this sentence, it would be translated as “Is it not okay if I sit here?”. However, it oftentimes will be translated as “Am I not supposed to sit here?” or “Am I not allowed to sit here?”.
Examples
- 받으면 안 돼요? – I shouldn’t receive it?/Am I not allowed to receive it?
- 보내면 안 돼요? – I shouldn’t send it?/Am I not allowed to send it?
- 나가면 안 돼요? – I shouldn’t go out?/Am I not allowed to go out?
- 웃으면 안 돼요? – I shouldn’t laugh?/ Am I not allowed to laugh?
Adding double negative
We can also add another “안” to the phrase that then slightly changes the meaning.
- 지금 – Now
- 안 – Not
- 자 – Sleep
- 면 – If
- 안 – Not
- 돼요? – OK
The phrase “지금 안 자면 안 돼요?” can be translated to “Can you not sleep now?”. This phrase is more like a request asking if the listener can not do something. In this instance, they might want to talk more or need something and that’s why they are asking the other person to not sleep.
I would literally translate this sentence as “Is it not possible for you not to go?. Rather than it being a command or saying you are not allowed to do something, the speaker is asking whether it’s ok or possible for you to NOT do something.
The below sample sentences should demonstrate the meaning. I have also added additional sentences for more context.
- 안 가면 안 돼요? 저랑 같이 있어요. – Can you not go? Stay with me.
- 그거 안 쓰면 안 돼요? 너무 창피해요. Can you not write that? I am embarrassed.
- 오늘 운동 안 하면 안 돼요? 저랑 같이 놀아요. – Can you not exercise today? Hang out with me.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- 이 방에서는 ____________. – You shouldn’t practice in this room.
- 이 문을 _____________. – You shouldn’t open this door.
- ______________________? – Can you not argue?
- ___________________. – You shouldn’t lie.
- 맨날 __________________? – Can you not worry all the time?
Activity 1 Answers
- 이 방에서는 연습하면 안 돼요. – You shouldn’t practice in this room.
- 이 문을 열면 안 돼요. – You shouldn’t open this door.
- 안 싸우면 안 돼요? – Can you not argue?
- 거짓말하면 안 돼요. – You shouldn’t lie.
- 맨날 걱정 안 하면 안 돼요? – Can you not worry all the time?