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A/V-지 않아요

An alternative, slightly more formal way to negate verbs or adjectives compared to '안'. It is very common in written Korean or formal situations but is also used in daily speech.

Summary

Equivalent

To not be / To not do

Also: 안 A/V

Example

This book is not very interesting.

이 책은 별로 재미있지 않아요.

Grammar rules

  • Attach '-지 않다' directly to the verb or adjective stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or consonant.
  • Tone defines its tense (e.g., -지 않아요 for present, -지 않았어요 for past).
  • Do not use with imperative (commands) or propositive (suggestions) sentences. Use '-지 마세요' instead.

    가지 않으세요 (X) -> 가지 마세요 (O) (Please don't go)

Patterns

1

Verbs / Adjectives

현재 (Present) · -지 않아요

2

Verbs / Adjectives

과거 (Past) · -지 않았어요

Example sentences

This book is not very interesting.

이 책은 별로 재미있지 않아요.

It did not rain yesterday.

어제는 비가 오지 않았어요.

I do not drink coffee often.

저는 커피를 자주 마시지 않아요.

Conversation

A: Are you going to the party?

파티에 갈 거예요?

B: No, I am too tired, so I won't go.

아니요, 너무 피곤해서 가지 않을 거예요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct long formal negation.

Distance.

Shopping.