KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › 안 + 동사/형용사
Korean Grammar “안 + 동사/형용사”: How to Use It (TOPIK 1)
How to attach it
Attach the pattern to the verb stem, which is the dictionary form without 다. Compare how each verb below changes depending on its last sound.
| Dictionary form | Meaning | With this pattern | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | to see, to watch | 안 보다 | an boda |
| 읽다 | to read | 안 읽다 | an ikda |
| 열다 | to open | 안 열다 | an yeolda |
| 닫다 | to close | 안 닫다 | an datda |
What changes
- 안 is a separate word placed before the verb or adjective to make it negative; the verb itself does not change.
Explanation
저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요. 그래서 먹지 않아요.
“안” is placed before a verb or adjective to negate it (“not”), expressing a simple or voluntary negation. The sentences mean “I don’t like spicy food. So I don’t eat it.” “못” means “cannot” because of ability or circumstances, so for likes and dislikes you need “안.”
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요. 그래서 먹지 않아요.
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 | ||
| 저 | ㅈ+ㅓ | jeo |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 매운 | ||
| 매 | ㅁ+ㅐ | mae |
| 운 | ㅇ+ㅜ+ㄴ | un |
| 음식을 | ||
| 음 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㅁ | eum |
| 식 | ㅅ+ㅣ+ㄱ | [시] si |
| 을 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ | [글] geul |
| 안 | ㅇ+ㅏ+ㄴ | an |
| 좋아해요 | ||
| 좋 | ㅈ+ㅗ+ㅎ | [조] jo |
| 아 | ㅇ+ㅏ | a |
| 해 | ㅎ+ㅐ | hae |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
| 그래서 | ||
| 그 | ㄱ+ㅡ | geu |
| 래 | ㄹ+ㅐ | rae |
| 서 | ㅅ+ㅓ | seo |
| 먹지 | ||
| 먹 | ㅁ+ㅓ+ㄱ | meok |
| 지 | ㅈ+ㅣ | [찌] ji |
| 않아요 | ||
| 않 | ㅇ+ㅏ+ㄶ | [아] a |
| 아 | ㅇ+ㅏ | [나] na |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 식을 → [시글]
- Silent ㅎ: a final ㅎ (including the ㅎ inside ㄶ and ㅀ) is not pronounced before a vowel. 좋아 → [조아]
- Tensing: after a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ sound, ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ and ㅈ become tense (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ). 먹지 → [먹찌]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in the example sentence
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 음식 | noun | food | TOPIK level 1 |
| 안 | adverb | not (negation) | TOPIK level 1 |
| 좋다 | adjective | good, nice | TOPIK level 1 |
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 저는 매운 음식을 ____ 좋아해요. 그래서 먹지 않아요.
Show the answer
Answer: 저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요. 그래서 먹지 않아요.
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