안 vs 지 않다: Two Ways to Say 'Not'
Same meaning, different register — plus one placement rule that catches everybody.
Korean gives you two ways to negate a verb, and unlike most particle pairs, they genuinely mean the same thing. 안 먹어요 and 먹지 않아요 both mean "I don't eat".
So the choice is about register and rhythm, not meaning. But there is one placement rule with 하다 verbs that trips up nearly every learner, and a small group of verbs that reject both forms entirely.
Quick Summary
안 is the short, spoken negation placed before the verb. 지 않다 is the longer, more formal ending attached to the stem.
| Particle | Core Meaning | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안 (an) | Not (short form) | Everyday speech, short sentences | 안 먹어요 I don't eat |
| 지 않다 (ji anta) | Not (long form) | Writing, formal speech, emphasis | 먹지 않아요 I do not eat |
When to Use 안
1. Everyday Conversation
안 is what you will hear most in daily speech. It goes directly before the verb or adjective, as a separate word.
오늘은 안 바빠요.
I'm not busy today.
2. Split 하다 Verbs
With noun + 하다 verbs, 안 goes between the noun and 하다, not in front of the whole word. This is the single most common negation mistake.
공부 안 해요.
I don't study.
3. Quick Answers
For short replies and casual denials, 안 is far more natural than the long form, which would sound stiff.
아니요, 안 갔어요.
No, I didn't go.
When to Use 지 않다
Attach 지 않다 to the verb stem. It is the default in writing, news, formal announcements, and academic text, and it also gives a little extra weight in speech — useful when you want the negation to land firmly rather than in passing. With long or compound verbs it often reads more smoothly than 안.
그렇게 생각하지 않습니다.
I do not think so.
이해하지 않았어요.
I did not understand.
쉽지 않아요.
It isn't easy.
Core Concept
Common Mistakes
How to Choose in 5 Seconds
Follow these 5-second rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any meaning difference at all?
Not in the core meaning. The difference is register and emphasis: 안 is shorter and more conversational, 지 않다 is more formal and lands with slightly more weight.
Why does 안 go inside 공부하다?
Because 공부하다 is really the noun 공부 plus the verb 하다. 안 negates the verb part, so it slots in right before 하다: 공부 안 해요.
Which verbs cannot use 안?
알다 → 모르다, 있다 → 없다, and 맛있다 → 맛없다 all have dedicated negative forms. Using 안 with these sounds wrong to native speakers.
Can I use 안 with adjectives?
Yes. 안 예뻐요 and 예쁘지 않아요 are both correct and mean the same thing. The same register rule applies.
What about 못?
못 is a third option meaning 'cannot' — inability rather than choice. It has its own long form, 지 못하다, which follows the same formal/casual split.