Understanding Korean Negation: The Difference Between 안 and 못

Learning Korean negation can be tricky for English speakers because Korean has two distinct ways to express “not” – 안 and 못. While both translate to “not” in English, they serve very different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably. Understanding this difference is crucial for expressing yourself accurately in Korean.

안 (an) – Willful Negation or Simple Denial

안 is used when someone chooses not to do something or when making a simple negative statement. It expresses unwillingness, preference, or a deliberate decision not to act.

Examples with 안:Korean Negation

Korean: 저는 커피를 안 마셔요.

English: I don’t drink coffee.

Key words: 저는 (I), 커피를 (coffee + object particle), 안 (not), 마셔요 (drink)

Korean: 오늘 학교에 안 가요.

English: I’m not going to school today.

Key words: 오늘 (today), 학교에 (to school), 안 (not), 가요 (go)

Korean: 그 영화를 안 봤어요.

English: I didn’t watch that movie.

Key words: 그 (that), 영화를 (movie + object particle), 안 (not), 봤어요 (watched)

Korean: 김치를 안 좋아해요.

English: I don’t like kimchi.

Key words: 김치를 (kimchi + object particle), 안 (not), 좋아해요 (like)

Korean: 일요일에는 안 일해요.

English: I don’t work on Sundays. Key words: 일요일에는 (on Sundays), 안 (not), 일해요 (work)

못 (mot) – Inability or Impossibility

못 is used when someone cannot do something due to external circumstances, lack of ability, or physical impossibility. It expresses inability rather than unwillingness.

Examples with 못:

Korean: 한국어를 못 해요.

English: I can’t speak Korean.

Key words: 한국어를 (Korean language + object particle), 못 (cannot), 해요 (speak/do)

Korean: 어제 집에 못 갔어요.

English: I couldn’t go home yesterday.

Key words: 어제 (yesterday), 집에 (to home), 못 (couldn’t), 갔어요 (went)

Korean: 돈이 없어서 못 사요.

English: I can’t buy it because I don’t have money.

Key words: 돈이 (money + subject particle), 없어서 (don’t have, so), 못 (can’t), 사요 (buy)

Korean: 비가 와서 못 나가요.

English: I can’t go out because it’s raining.

Key words: 비가 (rain + subject particle), 와서 (comes, so), 못 (can’t), 나가요 (go out)

Korean: 다리가 아파서 못 걸어요.

English: I can’t walk because my leg hurts.

Key words: 다리가 (leg + subject particle), 아파서 (hurts, so), 못 (can’t), 걸어요 (walk)

Korean: 영어를 못 해요.

English: I can’t speak English.

Key words: 영어를 (English + object particle), 못 (can’t), 해요 (speak/do)

Key Differences in Usage : Korean Negation

The choice between 안 and 못 depends on the reason behind the negation:

Use 안 when you choose not to do something or when making a factual negative statement
Use 못 when external factors prevent you from doing something or when you lack the ability

Comparing Similar Situations:

안 먹어요 vs 못 먹어요

안 먹어요 = “I don’t eat (it)” – by choice, perhaps you don’t like the food
못 먹어요 = “I can’t eat (it)” – perhaps you’re allergic or physically unable

안 와요 vs 못 와요

안 와요 = “I’m not coming” – you choose not to come
못 와요 = “I can’t come” – something prevents you from coming

안 자요 vs 못 자요

안 자요 = “I’m not sleeping” – you choose to stay awake
못 자요 = “I can’t sleep” – insomnia or something prevents sleep

안 해요 vs 못 해요

안 해요 = “I don’t do it” – you choose not to do it
못 해요 = “I can’t do it” – you lack the ability or are prevented

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Korean Negation

Many learners incorrectly use 안 when they mean 못, especially when talking about abilities. Remember:

Wrong: 수영을 안 해요 (when you mean you can’t swim)
Correct: 수영을 못 해요 (I can’t swim – lack of ability)
Wrong: 시간이 없어서 안 가요 (when external circumstances prevent you)
Correct: 시간이 없어서 못 가요 (I can’t go because I don’t have time)
Wrong: 운전을 안 해요 (when you mean you can’t drive)
Correct: 운전을 못 해요 (I can’t drive – lack of skill)

More Practice Examples : Korean Negation

Korean: 매운 음식을 안 먹어요.

English: I don’t eat spicy food.

Key words: 매운 (spicy), 음식을 (food + object particle), 안 (not), 먹어요 (eat)

Korean: 감기 때문에 못 왔어요.

English: I couldn’t come because of a cold.

Key words: 감기 (cold), 때문에 (because of), 못 (couldn’t), 왔어요 (came)

Practice Tips: Korean Negation

To master this distinction, ask yourself: “Am I choosing not to do this, or am I unable to do this?” If it’s a choice or preference, use 안. If it’s due to inability or external circumstances, use 못.

Understanding the difference between 안 and 못 will make your Korean sound more natural and help you express your intentions clearly. Practice with simple sentences first, then gradually work up to more complex expressions as you become comfortable with this fundamental aspect of Korean grammar.