What Does -지 않다 Mean? Korean Negation Explained
10-Second Answer
-지 않다 is the long-form way to negate a verb — stem + 지 않아요 means the same as putting 안 in front of the verb. 가지 않아요 = 안 가요 = "I'm not going." The two aren't identical in feel: -지 않다 tends to sound slightly more formal or deliberate.
The Pattern
| Verb | Short form (안) | Long form (-지 않다) |
|---|---|---|
| 가다 (go) | 안 가요 | 가지 않아요 |
| 먹다 (eat) | 안 먹어요 | 먹지 않아요 |
| 좋다 (be good) | 안 좋아요 | 좋지 않아요 |
Structure: verb stem + 지 + 않다 (conjugated). 않다 itself conjugates like a regular verb — 않아요 (polite), 않았어요 (past), 않습니다 (formal).
Quick Examples
이 영화는 재미있지 않아요.
i yeonghwa-neun jaemiitji anayo.
This movie isn't fun.
저는 술을 마시지 않습니다.
jeoneun sureul masiji anseumnida.
I do not drink alcohol.
Formal register — common in writing, self-introductions, professional contexts.
When to Prefer Which
| Situation | Prefer |
|---|---|
| Everyday spoken Korean | 안/못 (short form) — faster, more natural |
| Writing, formal speech, presentations | -지 않다/-지 못하다 — reads as more careful/formal |
| Adjectives (있다-type descriptive verbs) | -지 않다 often sounds more natural than 안 + adjective |
이 방은 안 커요.
This room isn't big.
Both work, but…
이 방은 크지 않아요.
This room isn't big.
…this often sounds a touch more natural for descriptive adjectives.
The 못 Version: -지 못하다
Just like 안 has a long form, so does 못 — following the same logic as the 안 vs 못 comparison:
가지 못해요.
I can't go.
Long form of 못 가요 — inability, not choice.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Thinking -지 않다 and 안 differ in MEANING
They don't — the choice-vs-inability distinction still comes from which negator (않다 vs 못하다) you use, not from short vs long form.
Mistake #2 — Using long form exclusively in casual chat
가지 않아 to a close friend can sound oddly formal/stiff — 안 가 is the natural casual choice.
Mini Quiz
1. What's the long-form equivalent of 안 먹어요?
2. Which is more natural in a formal written self-introduction?
3. 가지 못해요 corresponds to which short form?
Related Knowledge
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Korean Particles: The Complete Guide
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.