Elementary - Grade 5

Lesson 2: Making Negative Sentences

(안 / -지 않다)

How to say "No" and "Not"

Saying "no" is just as important as saying "yes"! In Korean, there are two main ways to turn an action verb (like "eat") or a descriptive verb (like "cold") into a negative.

Both methods mean the same thing: "do not..." or "is not...".

The Two "Not" Patterns

Rule 1: 안 + Verb (The "Short Form")

This is the most common and simple way. You just add 안 (an) *before* the verb.

가요 (I go) 안 가요

"I do not go."

추워요 (It's cold) 안 추워요

"It is not cold."

Rule 2: Verb Stem + -지 않다 (The "Long Form")

This form is a bit more formal but means the same thing. You add -지 않다 to the verb stem (after dropping `다`).

가다 (to go) 가지 않아요

"I do not go."

춥다 (to be cold) 춥지 않아요

"It is not cold."

Special Rule: Noun + 하다 Verbs

For verbs like 공부하다 (to study), which are a Noun + `하다`, you have to be careful!

  • Rule 1 (Short Form): The 안 *splits* the noun and the verb.
    공부 안 해요. (I don't study)
    (안 공부해요 is incorrect!)
  • Rule 2 (Long Form): This is normal. Just add `-지 않다` to the stem.
    공부하지 않아요. (I don't study)

Special Rule: "to be" (아니다)

You can't use `안` or `-지 않다` with the copula `이다` ("to be").
To say "I am *not* a student," you must use a completely different verb: 아니다 (to not be).

저는 학생이에요. (I am a student) 저는 학생이 아니에요.

"I am not a student."

Negative Sentences

  • 저는 안 먹어요. (I don't eat.)

    = 저는 먹지 않아요. (I don't eat.)

  • 이것은 안 비싸요. (This is not expensive.)

    = 이것은 비싸지 않아요. (This is not expensive.)

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