안 vs 못: Korean Negation Explained

Korean has two beginner negation words that look deceptively similar:

• 안 = not / do not
• 못 = cannot / unable to / fail to

Compare:

• 오늘 운동을 안 해요. → I do not exercise today.
• 오늘 운동을 못 해요. → I cannot exercise today.

The first can be a choice. The second says something prevents the action.

Chamelingo has a free 안 vs 못 reference plus a separate 못 inability page.

안: simple negation

Put 안 before the verb:

• 안 가요. → I do not go.
• 안 먹어요. → I do not eat.
• 안 비싸요. → It is not expensive.
• 공부 안 해요. → I do not study.

안 is often neutral about the reason. Maybe you chose not to do it. Maybe it simply is not true.

못: inability or failed action

Put 못 before an action verb:

• 못 가요. → I cannot go.
• 못 먹어요. → I cannot eat it.
• 한국어를 잘 못 해요. → I cannot speak/do Korean well.
• 어제 숙제를 못 했어요. → I could not do the homework / I failed to do it.

The reason can be physical ability, lack of skill, time, rules, circumstances, or something else blocking the action.

Same verb, different meaning

That contrast matters in real conversation because 못 often sounds like an explanation rather than a preference.

안 with 하다 verbs

With many 하다 verbs, casual Korean commonly puts 안 before 하다:

• 공부를 안 해요. → I do not study.
• 운동을 안 해요. → I do not exercise.

You will also hear compact forms in conversation, but keeping the noun + 을/를 + 안 해요 pattern clear is useful for beginners.

Review the 을/를 object particle if needed.

Common mistake: using 못 for a preference

If you simply choose not to drink coffee, 커피를 안 마셔요 is clearer.

커피를 못 마셔요 suggests that you cannot drink it, perhaps because of caffeine, health, taste tolerance, or another limitation.

Longer negation

You will also encounter -지 않다:

• 가지 않아요. → I do not go.
• 먹지 않아요. → I do not eat.

For beginner conversation, short 안 + verb is extremely useful. Learn the longer form for recognition and for contexts where it fits better.

Mini practice

Choose 안 or 못.

1. I cannot come tomorrow. → 내일 못 와요.
2. I do not watch TV. → TV를 안 봐요.
3. I could not sleep. → 잠을 못 잤어요.
4. I am not busy. → 안 바빠요.

Continue learning

• 안 vs 못 interactive reference
• 못 inability
• Verb conjugation guide
• Present tense reference
• Grammar hub

Remember the meaning contrast rather than memorizing two translations: 안 negates; 못 says the action is not possible or did not succeed.