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Negation

안 and 못

안 before the verb = 'not'

Simple, common negation.

💬 Examples
안 가요.
an gayo.
(I) don't go.
📝 안 + verb
안 먹어요.
an meogeoyo.
(I) don't eat.
📝 안 negation
못 = 'cannot' (inability)

Placed before the verb.

📊 Negation
Form Meaning Example
안 + verb not (won't) 안 가요
못 + verb cannot 못 가요
-지 않다 not (long form) 가지 않아요
-지 못하다 cannot (long form) 가지 못해요
💬 Examples
못 가요.
mot gayo.
(I) can't go.
📝 못 = cannot
한국어를 못 해요.
hangugeoreul mot haeyo.
(I) can't speak Korean.
📝 못 = inability
Longer negation: -지 않다 / -지 못하다

Equivalent, slightly more formal.

💬 Examples
가지 않아요.
gaji anayo.
(I) don't go.
📝 -지 않다 = not (full form)
먹지 못해요.
meokji mothaeyo.
(I) can't eat.
📝 -지 못하다 = cannot