Korean word

안 되다

Pronunciation

Romanizationan toeda

Meaning

  • verbnot be okay

Example

그건 안 돼요.keu geon an twae yo

That is not okay.

Illustration for 안 되다 (not be okay)

More examples

약속 시간은 안 돼요.yak ssok si ga neun an twae yo

The scheduled time does not work.

Core concept

A situation fails to meet the conditions for being okay or happening.

Common phrases

  • 시간이 안 돼요si ga ni an twae yo

    The time does not work

  • 그렇게는 안 돼요keu reo ke neun an twae yo

    That way does not work

Similar words

할 수 없다hal ssu eoptta: An action cannot be carried out because the situation or conditions prevent it.
못하다motada: A person cannot do something because of limited ability, opportunity, or circumstances.

Definition in Korean

어떤 행동이나 상태가 허용되거나 성립할 수 없음을 나타내는 동사eo tteon haeng dong i na sang tae ga heo yong doe geo na seong ni pal ssu eop sseu meul na ta nae neun tong sa

Word origin

안 (an, "not") comes before 되다 (doeda, "become or work") to show that something does not become acceptable, possible, or workable.

Usage tips

  • This word is useful when a Korean speaker rejects an idea or says that a plan cannot happen, while English chooses different words for each situation.

Other meanings

  • not be allowedverb
  • not workverb
  • be impossibleverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word