Negation (안)

안 is the simplest way to negate a verb or adjective in Korean. It is placed directly before the verb or adjective: '안 먹어요' (I don't eat), '안 좋아요' (It's not good).

For 하다 (to do) compound verbs, 안 is inserted between the noun and 하다. For example, '공부 안 해요' (I don't study), not '안 공부해요.' This is a very common mistake for beginners. The noun part separates from 하다, and 안 goes between them.

There is also a longer negation form using -지 않다, which has the same meaning but sounds slightly more formal. At Level 1, 안 is the more common and practical choice. Note that 안 is used for voluntary negation (choosing not to do something), while 못 is used for inability (cannot do something).