Grammar · Negation

안 and -지 않아요, not

Pattern

안 + [verb] · [stem] + 지 않아요

안 goes directly in front of the verb: 안 가요, 안 매워요. For 하다 verbs built on a noun it goes between the two parts: 공부 안 해요. -지 않아요 attaches to the stem and means the same (가지 않아요), but sounds a little more careful and written.

The mistake to avoid

안 공부해요 is the classic mistake; 안 splits 공부해요 into 공부 안 해요. And 있어요 meaning 'there is' does not take 안, since 없어요 is its opposite.

Examples

Romanisation help

오늘은 학교에 안 가요.

oneureun hakgyoe an gayo.

I am not going to school today.

운동 안 해요.

undong an haeyo.

I do not exercise.

고기를 먹지 않아요.

gogireul meokji anayo.

I do not eat meat.

아침은 안 먹어요.

achimeun an meogeoyo.

I do not eat breakfast.