How to Use “안” for Negation in Korean: A Direct Approach to Saying “Not”

When you want to say “not” in Korean, 안 is your go-to word for simple, direct negation. It’s incredibly common and versatile, fitting into almost any sentence to turn an affirmative statement into a negative one.

Unlike some other forms of negation, 안 is straightforward and generally easier for learners to pick up quickly. Think of it as a polite and common way to express that something isn’t happening, isn’t true, or isn’t being done.

This guide focuses on the practical placement and usage of 안 without getting bogged down in complex grammar rules.

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The Simple Rule: Just Before the Verb or Adjective

The most important thing to remember about 안 is its position. In most cases, 안 is placed directly before the verb or adjective you want to negate. This creates a short, clear negative statement.

Basic Placement: “안 + Verb/Adjective”

This is the standard and most frequent way you’ll use 안.

Examples:

1. 저는 안 가요.
   • 안 (not) + 가요 (go)
   • Meaning: I don’t go.
   • Explanation: The speaker is simply stating they are not going.
2. 오늘 숙제를 안 했어요.
   • 안 (not) + 했어요 (did)
   • Meaning: I didn’t do my homework today.
   • Explanation: A straightforward declaration that the homework wasn’t completed.
3. 이 옷은 안 예뻐요.
   • 안 (not) + 예뻐요 (pretty)
   • Meaning: These clothes are not pretty.
   • Explanation: Expressing a negative opinion about the appearance of the clothes.
4. 저는 커피를 안 마셔요.
   • 안 (not) + 마셔요 (drink)
   • Meaning: I don’t drink coffee.
   • Explanation: A common way to state a personal preference or habit.
5. 날씨가 안 추워요.
   • 안 (not) + 추워요 (cold)
   • Meaning: The weather is not cold.
   • Explanation: Describing the current temperature as not being cold.
6. 그 영화는 안 재미있었어요.
   • 안 (not) + 재미있었어요 (was interesting)
   • Meaning: That movie was not interesting.
   • Explanation: Giving a negative review of a movie.
7. 저는 아직 밥을 안 먹었어요.
   • 안 (not) + 먹었어요 (ate)
   • Meaning: I haven’t eaten yet.
   • Explanation: A common response when asked if one has eaten.
8. 문이 안 열려요.
   • 안 (not) + 열려요 (opens/is opened)
   • Meaning: The door doesn’t open.
   • Explanation: Stating that something is not functioning or cannot be opened.

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Handling “하다” Verbs: Separating Noun and “하다”

Many Korean verbs are formed by adding 하다 (to do) to a noun. These are called “하다 verbs.” When negating these, 안 usually slips between the noun and 하다. This is a very important pattern to get used to.

“Noun + 안 + 하다” Pattern

This applies to verbs like 공부하다 (to study), 운동하다 (to exercise), 요리하다 (to cook), 전화하다 (to call), etc.

Examples:

1. 저는 오늘 공부 안 했어요.
   • 공부 (study) + 안 (not) + 했어요 (did)
   • Meaning: I didn’t study today.
   • Explanation: The negation specifically applies to the act of studying.
2. 매일 운동 안 하면 건강에 안 좋아요.
   • 운동 (exercise) + 안 (not) + 하면 (if you do)
   • Meaning: If you don’t exercise every day, it’s not good for your health.
   • Explanation: Warning about the negative consequences of not exercising.
3. 저는 요리 안 해요.
   • 요리 (cooking) + 안 (not) + 해요 (do)
   • Meaning: I don’t cook.
   • Explanation: Declaring a lack of cooking habit or skill.
4. 어제 친구한테 전화 안 했어요.
   • 전화 (phone call) + 안 (not) + 했어요 (did)
   • Meaning: I didn’t call my friend yesterday.
   • Explanation: Stating that a phone call was not made.
5. 청소 안 해서 방이 더러워요.
   • 청소 (cleaning) + 안 (not) + 해서 (because did)
   • Meaning: My room is dirty because I didn’t clean.
   • Explanation: Explaining the reason for a messy room.
6. 그 회사는 주말에 일 안 해요.
   • 일 (work) + 안 (not) + 해요 (does)
   • Meaning: That company doesn’t work on weekends.
   • Explanation: Describing a company’s working hours.
7. 저는 걱정 안 해요.
   • 걱정 (worry) + 안 (not) + 해요 (do)
   • Meaning: I don’t worry.
   • Explanation: Stating a personal characteristic or emotional state.
8. 숙제 검사를 안 해서 제가 실수를 했는지 몰랐어요.
   • 검사 (checking) + 안 (not) + 해서 (because did)
   • Meaning: Because I didn’t check my homework, I didn’t know if I made a mistake.
   • Explanation: Explaining why a mistake went unnoticed.

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Special Cases and Considerations

While 안 is very flexible, there are a few points to keep in mind for truly natural usage.

When “안” Might Sound Less Natural

For longer, more formal, or inherently negative-sounding verbs (like 모르다 – to not know, which is already negative), using 안 might sound a bit repetitive or slightly less natural than a longer negation like -지 않다. However, for most everyday verbs and adjectives, 안 is perfectly fine.

• 모르다 (to not know): Instead of 안 알아요 (which can be used but is less common), you would just use 몰라요.
• 없다 (to not exist, to not have): This is already negative. You wouldn’t say 안 없어요.

Emphasizing Negation

Sometimes, the placement of 안 can slightly change the emphasis. While “안 + Verb” is the standard, placing 안 further away from the main verb (especially with 하다 verbs) can sometimes give a slightly different feel, though the meaning of negation remains. Stick to the basic rules for clarity.

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Practice Time! Using “안” in Sentences

Let’s try to negate some sentences using 안. Focus on placing 안 correctly before the verb/adjective or between the noun and 하다 for “하다 verbs.”

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence to be negative using 안.

1. 저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요. (I like spicy food.)
   • 저는 매운 음식을 ________.
2. 동생이 아직 집에 왔어요. (My younger sibling came home yet.)
   • 동생이 아직 집에 ________.
3. 저는 어제 영화를 봤어요. (I watched a movie yesterday.)
   • 저는 어제 영화를 ________.
4. 그 노래는 슬퍼요. (That song is sad.)
   • 그 노래는 ________.
5. 매일 아침 운동해요. (I exercise every morning.)
   • 매일 아침 ________.
6. 오늘은 너무 더워요. (Today is too hot.)
   • 오늘은 ________ 더워요.
7. 친구에게 메시지를 보냈어요. (I sent a message to my friend.)
   • 친구에게 메시지를 ________.
8. 저는 이 가수를 알아요. (I know this singer.)
   • 저는 이 가수를 ________. (Hint: Remember the special case for “to know” and “to not know”.)
9. 그 이야기는 사실이에요. (That story is true.)
   • 그 이야기는 ________.
10. 저는 한국어를 공부해요. (I study Korean.)
    • 저는 한국어를 ________.

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Answers to Practice Worksheet

No peeking until you’ve tried them all!

1. 저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요.
2. 동생이 아직 집에 안 왔어요.
3. 저는 어제 영화를 안 봤어요.
4. 그 노래는 안 슬퍼요.
5. 매일 아침 운동 안 해요.
6. 오늘은 안 더워요.
7. 친구에게 메시지를 안 보냈어요.
8. 저는 이 가수를 몰라요. (Remember 모르다 is the negative form for ‘to not know’)
9. 그 이야기는 안 사실이에요. (More natural: 그 이야기는 사실이 아니에요. or 사실이 아니라고 해요.)
10. 저는 한국어를 공부 안 해요.

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Conclusion: Embrace “안” for Easy Negation

Mastering the use of 안 is a crucial step toward sounding more natural and confident in Korean. It’s a simple, direct, and very common way to negate verbs and adjectives. Remember the core rule: place 안 right before the word you want to negate, and for “하다 verbs,” slip it between the noun and 하다.

Don’t be afraid to use 안 in your daily conversations. The more you practice, the more intuitive its placement will become. Listening to native speakers and observing how they use it will also be a great help.

Let’s share your experience! What’s a sentence you often find yourself wanting to negate in Korean? Try writing it out with 안 in the comments below! Keep up the great effort in your language journey!