-지 않다 vs -지 못하다Isn't / Won't vs Can't (two types of negation)
Level 2미리보기🩺 건강·몸상태 · Health & Motion
Verb/Adj stem + -지 않다 · Verb stem + -지 못하다
Korean has two distinct negative patterns: -지 않다 for describing a state or choice ('isn't / doesn't'), and -지 못하다 for inability ('can't'). Mixing them up is one of the most common learner mistakes.
이야기 속에서는 이렇게 쓰입니다
멀미를 참는 것이 쉽지 않지.
Fighting off motion sickness isn't easy.
Fighting off motion sickness isn't easy.
규칙
-지 않다 · Isn't / Doesn'tNeutral negation — describes a state or a choice
쉽지 않아요 = it isn't easy
먹지 않아요 = (I) don't eat it / (I'm) not eating
오지 않아요 = (she) isn't coming
쉽지 않아요 = it isn't easy
먹지 않아요 = (I) don't eat it / (I'm) not eating
오지 않아요 = (she) isn't coming
-지 못하다 · Can'tInability — something prevents you from doing it
참지 못하겠어요 = I can't stand it (any longer)
먹지 못해요 = can't eat it (allergy / circumstances)
오지 못해요 = can't make it (something came up)
참지 못하겠어요 = I can't stand it (any longer)
먹지 못해요 = can't eat it (allergy / circumstances)
오지 못해요 = can't make it (something came up)
With adjectives · 형용사에는 않다만못하다 is for actions, not states:
✓ 쉽지 않아요 (it isn't easy)
✗ 쉽지 못해요 (awkward — 'can't be easy' makes no sense)
안 vs 못 shorthand:
안 먹어요 = don't eat
못 먹어요 = can't eat
✓ 쉽지 않아요 (it isn't easy)
✗ 쉽지 못해요 (awkward — 'can't be easy' makes no sense)
안 vs 못 shorthand:
안 먹어요 = don't eat
못 먹어요 = can't eat
Common mistake · 주의❌ 한국어를 잘하지 못 않아요 (double negative)
✓ 한국어를 잘하지 못해요 (can't speak Korean well)
✓ 한국어를 잘하지 않아요 (don't speak Korean well — by choice or habit)
✓ 한국어를 잘하지 못해요 (can't speak Korean well)
✓ 한국어를 잘하지 않아요 (don't speak Korean well — by choice or habit)
예문
- 오늘은 학교에 가지 않아요.I'm not going to school today.
- 이 음식은 맵지 않아요.This food isn't spicy.
- 숙제를 하지 못했어요.I couldn't do my homework.
- 한국어를 잘 하지 못해요.I can't speak Korean well.
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이 문법은 Level 2 ep10 「멀미해요」 에 나옵니다. 이야기를 보고 듣고 연습하려면 아래에서 이어서 학습하세요.
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