-지 말다
Don't Do
-지 말다 is the 'don't do' command in Korean. You attach it to a verb stem to tell someone not to do an action.
How It Works
To tell someone not to do something, you use the pattern Verb Stem + -지 말다. The verb 말다 is then conjugated based on the situation and who you are talking to. It's a direct command to refrain from an action.
Common Conjugations:
- -지 마세요: Standard polite form (해요체). This is the most common and versatile form you will use. It's polite and can be used with most people. (e.g., 가지 마세요 - Please don't go.)
- -지 마십시오: Formal polite form (하십시오체). Used in very formal settings, public announcements, or when showing a high degree of respect. (e.g., 들어가지 마십시오 - Please do not enter.)
- -지 마: Informal/casual form (반말). Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you. (e.g., 걱정하지 마 - Don't worry.)
The structure is always the same: find the verb stem and attach -지 말다, then conjugate 말다.
Examples (4)
- 사진을 찍지 마세요.
Please don't take pictures.
Word by Word: Picture object marker take don't please.
- 너무 걱정하지 마.
Don't worry too much.
Word by Word: Too much worry don't.
This is the informal version (-지 마), used with a close friend or someone younger.
- 수업 시간에 자지 마십시오.
Please do not sleep during class time.
Word by Word: Class time in sleep don't please (formal).
This is the formal version (-지 마십시오), suitable for a teacher addressing students or in a public announcement.
- 늦게 전화하지 마세요.
Please don't call late.
Word by Word: Late call don't please.
Common Mistakes
Using 안 instead of -지 말다 for commands.
Different Meaning안 가세요.Better가지 마세요.안 is used for negative statements ('I am not going'), not negative commands. To tell someone 'Don't go', you must use -지 마세요.
Attaching -지 말다 to adjectives.
Not Quite슬프지 마세요.Better슬퍼하지 마세요.Commands can only be used with action verbs. Adjectives like 슬프다 (to be sad) describe a state, not an action. To make a command, you often need to change the adjective into a verb form, like 슬퍼하다 (to feel/act sad).
Learn This First
To use this negative command, you need both conjugation and negation knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -지 마세요Please Don't
-지 마세요 is the most common, standard polite conjugation of -지 말다. It's the form you'll use most often in daily conversations.
- -(으)세요Please
-세요 is the positive command ('Please do...'), while -지 말다 is its direct negative counterpart ('Don't do...'). They are opposites.
- 안/못Not
These are other common ways to make a sentence negative. However, 안 and 못 are used for statements ('I don't/can't do...'), whereas -지 말다 is specifically for commands ('Don't do...').
- Verb stems
This pattern attaches directly to verb stems. Understanding how to find the stem of a verb is essential for using -지 말다 correctly.
- -지 마Don't (Casual)
The shortened casual form used in everyday intimate speech.
- -지 마라Do Not (Plain)
The plain-style command form derived from -지 말다.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.