Grammar · Negation

못, cannot

Pattern

못 + [verb]

못 sits in front of the verb exactly like 안, but it means 'cannot' rather than 'do not'. It splits 하다 verbs the same way: 수영 못 해요 'I cannot swim'. The longer form is -지 못해요 (가지 못해요).

The mistake to avoid

Choose by meaning: 안 가요 is a choice, while 못 가요 means something stops you. 잘 못해요, written as one word, is the modest 'I am not good at it'.

Examples

Romanisation help

내일은 못 가요.

naeireun mot gayo.

I cannot go tomorrow.

어젯밤에 잠을 못 잤어요.

eojetbame jameul mot jasseoyo.

I could not sleep last night.

한국어를 잘 못해요.

hangugeoreul jal motaeyo.

I am not good at Korean.

매운 음식은 못 먹어요.

maeun eumsigeun mot meogeoyo.

I cannot eat spicy food.