-지 마
Don't (Casual)
-지 마 is the casual way to say 'Don't do something'. It's used with friends and people younger than you.
How It Works
-지 마 is the informal, non-polite way to command someone not to do something. It's the casual equivalent of the more polite -지 마세요 (please don't).
How to use:
1. Take a verb, like 하다 (to do) or 보다 (to see).
2. Drop the -다 to get the verb stem: 하- or 보-.
3. Attach -지 마 directly to the stem.
- 하다 → 하 + 지 마 → 하지 마 (Don't do it)
- 보다 → 보 + 지 마 → 보지 마 (Don't look)
This works for all verbs, including those with consonant stems:
- 읽다 → 읽 + 지 마 → 읽지 마 (Don't read)
Because it's a casual form, you should only use it with close friends, family members of similar or younger age, or in situations where casual speech is appropriate. Using it with strangers or elders would be considered rude.
Examples (4)
- 걱정하지 마. 괜찮을 거야.
Don't worry. It'll be okay.
Word by Word: Worry don't. It will be okay.
하지 마 is formed from the verb 하다 (to do). 걱정하다 means 'to worry'.
- 너무 늦었어. 가지 마.
It's too late. Don't go.
Word by Word: Too late. Go don't.
가지 마 is the negative command form of 가다 (to go).
- 그거 먹지 마! 매워.
Don't eat that! It's spicy.
Word by Word: That eat don't! Spicy.
먹지 마 is formed from the verb 먹다 (to eat), which has a consonant stem.
- 울지 마, 내가 있잖아.
Don't cry, I'm here.
Word by Word: Cry don't, I exist, you know.
울지 마 comes from 울다 (to cry). The ㄹ at the end of the stem doesn't change.
Common Mistakes
Using -지 마 with elders or in formal situations.
Different Meaning선생님, 걱정하지 마.Better선생님, 걱정하지 마세요.-지 마 is a casual ending. For polite requests, you must use -지 마세요.
Confusing the command '-지 마' with the simple negative statement '안'.
Not Quite나는 학교에 가지 마.Better나는 학교에 안 가.-지 마 is a command ('Don't...'). To make a simple negative statement ('I don't...'), use 안 before the verb.
Learn This First
This casual negative command is a shortened form of -지 말다.
Related Patterns
- -지 마세요Please Don't
This is the polite version of -지 마. It means 'Please don't...' and is used in formal or polite situations.
- -아/어Informal Ending
-지 마 is a casual command, often used in the same social contexts as the casual statement ending -아/어 (e.g., with friends).
- 안/못Not
While -지 마 is a negative command, 안 is used to make a negative statement (e.g., 'I don't do it'). It's important to distinguish between telling someone not to do something and stating that something is not done.
- -지 마라Do Not (Plain)
-지 마라 is another form of 'don't', but it has a stronger, more authoritative tone. It's often used by parents to children or in written warnings, whereas -지 마 is more common in everyday conversation between friends.