TOPIK · Level 3
14 words
Korean word
않다
Pronunciation
Romanizationanta
Meaning
- verbnot
Example
나는 그를 믿지않아.na neun keu reul mit jji a na
I do not believe him.
More examples
그는 다른 사람의 말에 신경 쓰지 않다.keu neun ta reun sa ra mui ma re sin gyeong sseu ji an ta
He does not care about what others say.
Core concept
A verb that expresses negation by itself and can also join another verb to make a longer negative expression.
Common phrases
말하지 않다mal ha ji an ta
not talk
신경 쓰지 않다sin gyeong sseu ji an ta
not mind
참지 않다cham ji an ta
not put up with
Similar words
안 하다an hada: A casual spoken expression for not doing an action.
지 않다chi anta: A negative helper form placed after a verb, common in writing and polite speech.
못하다motada: An inability to do something because of limited ability or difficult circumstances.
아니다anida: A verb for saying that someone or something is not a particular person, thing, or state.
Definition in Korean
혼자서 부정의 뜻을 지니며 다른 동사와 결합해 '지 않다' 같은 복합부정을 만들고, 구어에서는 '안'으로 대체되는 경우가 많다.hon ja seo pu jeong ui tteu seul chi ni myeo ta reun tong sa wa kyeol ha pae chi an ta ka teun po kap ppu jeong eul man deul go ku eo e seo neun an eu ro tae che doe neun kyeong u ga man ta
Word origin
The form developed from an older Korean negative expression and became a verb-like helper that joins other verbs to express negation.
Usage tips
- The longer negative form is useful in writing and polite speech because it can take tense and politeness endings, while casual conversation often uses a shorter alternative.