Korean Negation: How to Say ‘No’ and ‘Not’ in Korean

When you start learning Korean, one of the most important skills is learning how to express negation—in other words, how to say “no” or “not.” Luckily, Korean negation is relatively simple once you understand the basic forms.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the main negative forms in Korean:

1. 아닙니다 (anibnida)
2. 안 (an) + Verb
3. -지 않습니다 (ji anseumnida)
4. 없습니다 (eopseumnida)

Each one has its specific uses, but don’t worry – by the end of this blog, you’ll be ready to incorporate these negation forms into your Korean conversations!

5 Main Ways to Express Negation in Korean

1. 아닙니다 (Anibnida): How to Say “Is Not” in Korean

아닙니다 is a formal way to say that something is not something else. This form is specifically used with nouns and is often heard in formal or polite settings.

Structure:

• 저는 학생이 아닙니다.
  (Jeoneun haksaeng-i anibnida.)
  Translation: I am not a student.
  Here, “학생” means “student,” so you’re literally saying “I not student am.”
• 이것은 책이 아닙니다.
  (Igeoseun chaeg-i anibnida.)
  Translation: This is not a book.
  The word “책” means “book,” so here you’re saying, “This is not a book.”

In both examples, 아닙니다 fits well when you need to express Korean negation in formal or polite settings, especially when negating nouns. It’s a straightforward way to say that one thing simply is not another thing!

2. 안 (An) + Verb: Casual Korean Negation for Actions

When negating actions, 안 is used before the verb to express “not” in casual settings. It’s a common way to negate verbs in daily conversation, especially among friends.

Structure:

The structure is simple: 안 + Verb Stem + Polite 요 Ending

1. Start with the verb in its dictionary form. For example:
   • 하다 (to do)
   • 먹다 (to eat)
   • 보다 (to watch)
2. Remove 다 from the verb to get the stem:
   • 하다 → 하
   • 먹다 → 먹
   • 보다 → 보
3. Add the appropriate 요 ending for polite speech:
   • 하 + 요 → 해요
   • 먹 + 어요 → 먹어요
   • 보 + 아요 → 봐요
4. Place 안 before the verb to make it negative:
   • 안 해요 (don’t do)
   • 안 먹어요 (don’t eat)
   • 안 봐요 (don’t watch)

This makes 안 + Verb a super easy way to negate an action in casual settings. For a more detailed guide on verb conjugation, check out this article!

Sentence Examples:

• 저는 운동을 안 해요.
  (Jeoneun undong-eul an haeyo.)
  Translation: I don’t exercise.
  Here, 안 comes right before 해요 (to do), turning it into “don’t do.”
• 그 사람은 일을 안 해요.
  (Geu sarameun il-eul an haeyo.)
  Translation: That person doesn’t work.
• 저는 영화를 안 봐요.
  (Jeoneun yeonghwa-reul an bwayo.)
  Translation: I don’t watch movies.

3. -지 않습니다 (-Ji Anseumnida): Formal Negation for Actions and Descriptions

If you’re looking for a more formal way to negate verbs, -지 않습니다 is your go-to! This type of negation is similar to saying “do not” or “does not” in English, but it carries a bit more politeness than 안. You’ll often see it in more formal settings, such as news reports, business conversations, or polite discussions.

Structure:

Verb Stem + 지 않습니다

1. Start with the verb stem, as before:
   • 하다 → 하
   • 먹다 → 먹
   • 보다 → 보
2. Add 지 않습니다 to the stem:
   • 하지 않습니다 (do not do)
   • 먹지 않습니다 (do not eat)
   • 보지 않습니다 (do not watch)

Sentence Examples:

• 저는 커피를 마시지 않습니다.
  (Jeoneun keopi-reul masiji anseumnida.)
  Translation: I do not drink coffee.
• 그 영화는 재미있지 않습니다.
  (Geu yeonghwa-neun jaemiitji anseumnida.)
  Translation: That movie is not interesting.

This form is best for sounding respectful while using negative forms in Korean. For a deeper dive into verb conjugation and negation, visit this helpful guide!

4. 없습니다 (Eopseumnida): Saying “There Isn’t” or “I Don’t Have”

Lastly, let’s talk about 없습니다! This negation form means “there isn’t” or “do not have” and is used specifically with nouns. It’s perfect for expressing the absence or lack of something in a polite and formal way.

Sentence Examples:

• 저는 돈이 없습니다.
  (Jeoneun don-i eopseumnida.)
  Translation: I don’t have money.
• 이 방에는 창문이 없습니다.
  (I bang-e changmun-i eopseumnida.)
  Translation: There isn’t a window in this room.

Why Use 이/가 instead of 을/를?

In 없습니다 sentences, 이 or 가 are used with nouns to indicate the subject or topic of the sentence. You may wonder why 을 or 를 aren’t used here. This is because 이/가 particles highlight the presence or absence of the subject (such as “money” or “window”) itself, rather than the action done to it. 을/를 would typically be used when the noun is the object of an action rather than the main subject.

For more details on 이/가 , 을/를 and more particles, check out this comprehensive guide on Korean particles.

Why These Forms of Korean Negation Matter

When learning Korean, understanding negation is crucial. Here’s why each form matters:

• 아닙니다: Essential for negating nouns, perfect for formal conversations.
• 안 + Verb: Casual and widely used, ideal for informal chats with friends.
• -지 않습니다: Adds a respectful tone, making it suitable for work or polite social situations.
• 없습니다: Perfect for expressing what you don’t have or what doesn’t exist in a respectful way.

Tips for Practicing Korean Negation

• Watch Korean Dramas: Try to hear how these negation forms are used naturally in conversations. This will help reinforce their usage.
• Practice with Language Partners: Try out these structures with Korean-speaking friends or through language exchange platforms.
• Use a Language App: Apps like LingoDeer offer interactive exercises for beginner Korean learners, covering Korean conjugation, negation, and much more.

Learning to say “no” or “not” in Korean is an important step in achieving fluency. With these forms of negation, you’ll be able to express yourself confidently in Korean conversation!