안 negation (not, don't)

In English, we usually put "not" after a helping verb. We say "I do not go." Korean keeps it simpler. You just place 안 directly before the verb or adjective. That is it! No complex conjugation changes are needed for the negation itself. The verb still conjugates for politeness or tense as usual. The 안 is actually a shortened version of 아니. It functions as an adverb. It tells us the action is not happening. Imagine you are at a convenience store. You see a snack you don't like. You point and say, 안 사요 (I'm not buying it). It is immediate and clear. This pattern works for most verbs and adjectives. It is the "go-to" for casual and polite speech. Just remember to leave a small space after 안 when writing. Even native speakers forget that space sometimes, so don't sweat it too much!

1. 1For basic verbs and adjectives: Place 안 + [conjugated verb/adjective].
2. 2가다 (to go) → 안 가요 (not going)
3. 3먹다 (to eat) → 안 먹어요 (not eating)
4. 4비싸다 (to be expensive) → 안 비싸요 (not expensive)
5. 5For 하다 verbs (Noun + 하다): Place the Noun + 안 + 해요.
6. 6공부하다 (to study) → 공부 안 해요 (not studying)
7. 7운동하다 (to exercise) → 운동 안 해요 (not exercising)
8. 8This is the "sandwich rule." The 안 goes inside the verb!
9. 9For 하다 adjectives: Place 안 + [conjugated adjective].
10. 10친절하다 (to be kind) → 안 친절해요 (not kind)
11. 11건강하다 (to be healthy) → 안 건강해요 (not healthy)
12. 12Adjectives don't like being split up like verbs do. Keep them whole!

Use 안 when you want to express a lack of intention. For example, "I won't eat" or "I'm not going." It is perfect for declining invitations politely. If a friend asks you to go hiking on a Monday, you say 안 가요. It also works for stating facts about the world. "The weather is not cold" becomes 날씨가 안 추워요. Use it when ordering food to avoid ingredients. "I don't eat meat" is 고기 안 먹어요. In a job interview, you might say 담배 안 피워요 (I don't smoke). It is versatile and fits almost any scenario. Whether you are at the gym or a nightclub, 안 is your best friend for setting boundaries.

Don't use 안 when you physically *can't* do something. If you are too sick to walk, don't say 안 가요. That sounds like you are just being stubborn! Instead, you would use 못. Also, some words have their own special "secret" negative versions. 있다 (to have/be) never becomes 안 있다. It transforms into 없다. Similarly, 알다 (to know) never becomes 안 알아요. It becomes 모르다. Using 안 with these is like trying to put pineapple on pizza. Some people might do it, but the purists will definitely look at you funny. Finally, avoid 안 in very formal writing or speeches. In those cases, the longer -지 않다 pattern is more professional.

The biggest trap is the 하다 verb split. Many people say 안 공부해요. This sounds very "foreign." It should be 공부 안 해요. Think of the noun part as the object. You are "doing not-study." Another mistake is forgetting the space. In texting, people often write 안가 instead of 안 가. It's okay for friends, but bad for tests! Don't use 안 with 맛있다 (to be delicious). Use 맛없다. Saying 안 맛있어요 is technically okay but sounds like a toddler speaking. Also, watch out for the double negative. Don't use 안 with a negative verb like 없다. 안 없어요 actually means "It's not that it's not here." That will give your Korean friends a headache!

There is a "long version" of this called -지 않다. Both mean "not." 안 is short and punchy. -지 않다 is longer and sounds a bit more formal. In a casual chat, use 안. In a graduation speech, use -지 않다. Then there is 못. This means "cannot." 안 먹어요 means "I won't eat (by choice)." 못 먹어요 means "I can't eat (due to allergy or empty fridge)." Mixing these up can lead to funny situations. If you tell a date 안 예뻐요, you are saying they are "not pretty." That is a grammar traffic light turning red! Always double-check if you mean "don't" or "can't."