πŸ“˜ Grammar 54: How to Use ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Telling Someone Not to Do Something in Korean

πŸ“˜ How to Use ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Telling Someone Not to Do Something in Korean

Want to say “Don’t go,” “Please don’t eat that,” or “Don’t be late” in Korean?

Then it’s essential to learn ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”, the standard and polite way to tell someone **not to do something** in Korean.

This structure is incredibly common in daily life, especially when giving warnings, instructions, or advice politely.

πŸ“Œ What Does ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” Mean?

~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” is the negative imperative form in Korean, meaning:

  • ✔️ “Please don’t…”
  • ✔️ “Don’t do…” (politely)

Structure:

  • Verb stem + 지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

✅ Use this form when you want to tell someone not to do something in a polite and respectful manner.


πŸ“˜ Example Sentences

  • 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Please don’t go
    ga-ji ma-se-yo
  • 먹지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Don’t eat that
    meok-ji ma-se-yo
  • λŠ¦μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Don’t be late
    neut-ji ma-se-yo
  • λ§ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Don’t say it
    mal-ha-ji ma-se-yo

πŸ“Š Grammar Table – ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” Forms

Level Form Example Meaning
Polite ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” μšΈμ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” Don’t cry
Casual ~지 마 μšΈμ§€ 마 Don’t cry (informal)
Formal ~지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ μšΈμ§€ λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ Do not cry (very formal)

πŸ’‘ When to Use ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

  • ✔️ When giving polite commands
  • ✔️ When asking someone not to do something
  • ✔️ Works with all action verbs

Examples:

  • 사진을 찍지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Please don’t take pictures
  • 여기에 앉지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” – Don’t sit here

❗ Common Mistakes

  • ❌ 가지 μ•Šμ•„μš” → This means “I’m not going” (not a command)
  • ❌ 가지 μ•ŠμœΌμ„Έμš” → Sounds strange; use 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” instead
  • Remember: only action verbs can take ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

πŸ§ͺ Mini Quiz – Test Yourself!

  1. How do you say “Don’t speak (polite)”?
    a) λ§ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”
    b) 말을 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”
    Click to Show Answer

    ✅ a) λ§ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

  2. Translate: “Don’t be late.”
    a) λŠ¦μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”
    b) 늦으면 μ•ˆ λΌμš”
    Click to Show Answer

    ✅ a) λŠ¦μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

  3. Which is correct for “Please don’t open the window”?
    a) 창문을 열지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”
    b) 창문을 μ•ˆ μ—΄μ–΄μš”
    Click to Show Answer

    ✅ a) 창문을 열지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”


✅ Conclusion

Now you can use ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” to politely tell someone not to do something in Korean!

  • Attach it to verb stems to form negative commands
  • Use “~지 마” casually and “~지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€” formally
  • Essential grammar for daily communication

Practice these:

  • “Don’t touch it” → λ§Œμ§€μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”
  • “Please don’t forget” → μžŠμ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”


πŸ“˜ Coming Up Next

Next lesson: How to Use ~γ„Ή 수 μžˆλ‹€ / μ—†λ‹€ – Expressing Ability and Possibility
Learn how to say “I can go,” “I can’t speak,” and more!

Related Keywords:
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