Beginner
Estimated read: 3 mins
안 A/V-아/어요
Used to negate a verb or adjective. It expresses a simple negative state or the subject's intention not to do an action. It is commonly used in casual, spoken Korean.
Summary
Equivalent
Not (Word Negation)
Also: -지 않아요
Example
The weather is not cold today.
오늘 날씨가 안 추워요.
Grammar rules
- Place '안' directly before the verb or adjective.
- For verbs ending in '하다' (e.g., 공부하다, 일하다), place '안' between the noun and '하다' (e.g., 공부 안 하다).
- Note: Adjectives that end in '하다' like '피곤하다' take '안' before the entire word (e.g., 안 피곤하다).
- The verbs '알다' (to know) and '있다' (to have/exist) have their own negative forms: '모르다' (not to know) and '없다' (to not have/exist). You do not use '안' with them.
안 알아요 (X) -> 몰라요 (O) / 안 있어요 (X) -> 없어요 (O)
Patterns
1
General Verbs/Adjectives
현재/과거/미래 (All Tenses) · 안 + A/V
2
Noun + 하다 Verbs
현재/과거/미래 (All Tenses) · Noun + 안 + 하다
Example sentences
Noun + 하다 Verbs · 현재/과거/미래 (All Tenses) · Noun + 안 + 하다
The weather is not cold today.
오늘 날씨가 안 추워요.
Noun + 하다 Verbs · 현재/과거/미래 (All Tenses) · Noun + 안 + 하다
I did not eat breakfast.
저는 아침을 안 먹었어요.
Noun + 하다 Verbs · 현재/과거/미래 (All Tenses) · Noun + 안 + 하다
I don't study on weekends.
주말에는 공부 안 해요.
Conversation
A: Is this t-shirt pretty?
이 티셔츠가 예뻐요?
B: No, the color is not pretty.
아니요, 색깔이 안 예뻐요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct negative form.
Eating habits.
Working.