Negative Sentences in Korean: How to Use 안 and -지 않다 (+ Examples)

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안녕하세요! Today we’re covering negative sentences in Korean — how to say “I’m not,” “I don’t,” or “I didn’t do something.” Good news: it’s actually pretty straightforward once you learn the two main methods!

In Korean, you can’t just slap a “not” anywhere in a sentence like in English. There are specific ways to negate verbs and adjectives — but once you know the patterns, it becomes second nature.

Let’s get into it!

Overall, there are two ways of making negative sentences.

  • 1) Add 안 before a verb
  • 2) Using the negative verb ending, – 지 않다

Generally, method (1) is simpler and more commonly used and method (2) is more formal but not more polite.

Method 1 – 안

Specifically, ‘안’ (an) is the most commonly used negation word in Korean for simply negating the action or state expressed by the verb or adjective. It is placed directly before the verb or adjective it negates.

How to Conjugate with 안

안 + CONJUGATED VERB

  1. 가다 – to go
  2. Drop the 다 and add relevant ending (we will do present tense)
  3. 가 + 아요 –> 가아요 –> 가요
  4. Add 안 before the verb –> 안 가요 (I am not going)

Examples

  • 봐요 –> 안 봐요 = I cannot see/I am not looking
  • 해요 –> 안 해요 = I am not doing (it)
  • 좋아해요 –> 안 좋아해요 = I don’t like (it)
  • 먹어요 –> 안 먹어요 = I am not eating
  • 자요 –> 안 자요 = I am not sleeping
  • 와요 –> 안 와요 = I am not coming

Furthermore, with this method, you don’t need to change the verb ending so it is very very simple to use. You just add 안 in front of your conjugated verb!

Now, let’s try past tense.

  • 봤어요 –> 안 봤어요 = I didn’t see
  • 갔어요 –> 안 갔어요 = I didn’t go

Now, let’s look at the future tense.

  • 볼 거예요 –> 안 볼 거예요 = I will not see, I will not look
  • 갈 거예요 –> 안 갈 거예요 = I will not go

Exercise 1

Make the below into negative sentences in present tense.

  1. 만들다 – to make
  2. 사다 – to buy
  3. 오다 – to come
  4. 만나다 – to meet
  5. 찾다 – to find/to look (for something)
  6. 물오보다 – to ask
  7. 입다 – to wear

Practice 2

Fill the blanks with the correctly conjugated word (Be careful some are present tense, some are past and some are I don’t want to).

  1. 내일______________ (내일 – tomorrow) = I am not coming tomorrow
  2. 점심 ______________(점심 – lunch) = I am not eating lunch
  3. 엄마 _______________(엄마 – mum) = I didn’t meet mum
  4. 그거 ________________ (그거 – that) = I am not wearing that

Method 2 – 지 않다

Additionally, creating negative sentences in Korean using the “지 않다” form is an essential aspect of mastering Korean grammar. This method offers a more formal approach to negation.

  • Furthermore, the “지 않다” form is a common way to negate verbs and adjectives in Korean. It’s often used in more formal or polite contexts.
  • Additionally, this form is versatile and can be used with almost any verb or adjective.

Conjugation Rules for -지 않다

VERB STEM + 지 않다

  1. First, take a verb i.e. 가다
  2. Then, drop “다” i.e. 가
  3. Next, add “지 않다”
  4. Finally, conjugate the “지 않다” depending on how you want to conjugate it.

Notably, the conjugation of ‘않다’ follows regular verb conjugation rules.

  • 지 않다 –> 지 않 –> 지 않 + 아요 –> 지 않아요
  • 지 않다 –> 지 않 –> 지 않 + 았어요 –> 지 않았어요
  • 지 않다 –> 지 않 –> 지 않 + 을 거예요 –> 지 않을 거예요

Present tense: -지 않아요 (same rules as when conjugating normal verbs)

Past tense: -지 않았어요 (same rules as when conjugating normal verbs)

Now, you just add it to the verb.

가다 –> 가 –> 가 + 지 않아요 –> 가지 않아요 = I am not going

가다 –> 다 –> 가 + 지 않았어요 –> 가지 않았어요 = I didn’t go

버리다 –> 버리 –> 버리 + 지 않았어요 –> 버리지 않았어요 = I didn’t throw (it) away

먹다 –> 먹 –> 먹 + 지 않아요 –> 먹지 않아요 = I am not eating it

자다 –> 자 –> 자 + 지 않았어요 –> 자지 않았어요 = I didn’t sleep

보다 –> 보 –> 보 + 지 않아요 –> 보지 않아요 = I am not watching (it)

하다 –> 하 –> 하 + 지 않았어요 –> 하지 않았어요 = I didn’t do it

Challenge 3

Conjugate these verbs using 지 않다 form in present tense.

  1. 사다 – to buy
  2. 살다 – to live
  3. 만들다 – to make
  4. 만나다 – to meet
  5. 오다 – to come
  6. 물어보다 – to ask
  7. 입다 – to wear

Try It Yourself: Activity 4

Fill the blanks with the correctly conjugated word.

  1. 거기 _______________________(거기 – there) = I don’t live there
  2. 비 _________________________(비 – rain) = Rain is not coming/ It’s not raining)
  3. 드레스 _________________________(드레스 – dress) I am not wearing a dress
  4. 남자친구 _________________________(남자친구 – boyfriend) I am not meeting (my) boyfriend

Below Are the Answers for Exercise 1

  1. 만들다 –> 만들어요 –> 안 만들어요 = I am not making (it)
  2. 사다 –> 사요 –> 안 사요 = I am not buying
  3. 오다 –> 와요 –> 안 와요 = I am not coming
  4. 만나다 –> 만나요 –> 안 만나요 = I am not meeting (them/him/her)
  5. 찾다 –> 찾아요 –> 안 찾아요 = I am not looking (for it)
  6. 물어보다 –> 물어봐요 –> 안 물어봐요 = I am not asking
  7. 입다 –> 입어요 –> 안 입어요 = I am not wearing (it)

Check Your Answers for Practice 2

  1. 내일 안 와요. – I am not coming tomorrow.
  2. 점심 안 먹어요. – I am not eating lunch.
  3. 내일 엄마 안 만났어요. – I am not meeting mum tomorrow.
  4. 그거 안 입어요. – I am not wearing that.

Here Are the Answers for Challenge 3

  1. 사지 않아요
  2. 만들지 않아요
  3. 만나지 않아요
  4. 오지 않아요
  5. 물어보지 않아요
  6. 입지 않아요

Review the Answers for Activity 4

  1. 거기 살지 않아요
  2. 비 오지 않아요
  3. 드레스 입지 않아요
  4. 남자친구 만나지 않아요

Conclusion

In summary, we’ve now explored the key aspects of forming negative sentences in Korean, covering the use of 안 for short negation and 지 않다 for long negation.

Indeed, negation in Korean goes beyond just saying ‘no’. It’s about understanding the nuances of the language and the context in which each form is used.

Call to Action:

  • Additionally, practice regularly: incorporate these negation forms into your daily Korean practice. Try creating sentences using both negation methods.
  • Furthermore, engage with native speakers: if possible, practice these forms with native Korean speakers. Pay attention to how they use negation in natural conversation.
  • Also, join language learning communities: participate in online forums, language exchange groups, or Korean language study apps to practice with others.
  • Moreover, explore further: dive into Korean media like films, dramas, and music. Listen for negative sentences and how they’re used in context.

By actively practicing and immersing yourself in the language, you’ll become more confident and proficient in using Korean negation. So, keep studying and practicing!

감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) for joining us on this linguistic journey. Your dedication to learning Korean is commendable, and we look forward to seeing your progress in mastering this beautiful language. Once you’ve mastered negation, explore 지 마세요 (how to say “don’t do that”) and review the Korean present tense to see negation in context.

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