안 vs 못
Try it freeTake the 1-question 안 vs 못 testChoose the right form, then read the explanation for each answer.Open →Explanation
안 negates volition or simple non-occurrence: you don’t do it (by choice or general no). 오늘 안 가요: I’m not going today.
못 marks inability or failure: you can’t / couldn’t. 한국어를 잘 못해요. I’m not good at Korean / I can’t speak it well.
Word order: 안/못 usually sits right before the verb (or adjective). 안 먹어요 / 못 먹어요.
Past: 안 갔어요 (didn’t go) vs 못 갔어요 (couldn’t go). The second often implies obstacle, illness, traffic, prohibition, or lack of skill.
With 잘, 못 is extremely common for skills: 노래를 잘 못해요. Using 안 here can sound like refusal rather than ability.
Some fixed patterns prefer one or the other; when unsure, ask: is this choice or ability? That single question picks the right particle-like adverb.
Examples
고기 안 먹어요.
I don’t eat meat (choice/habit).
고기를 못 먹어요.
I can’t eat meat (allergy, restriction, inability).
어제 숙제를 못 했어요.
I couldn’t do homework yesterday.
어제 숙제를 안 했어요.
I didn’t do homework yesterday (didn’t do it).
Common mistakes
- Using 안 for skill inability (sounds like “I refuse to”).
- Double negatives stacked without control (안 못…): keep one clear negator.
How to practice
- Write four sentences about your life: two 안, two 못.
- Explain each choice in English in one clause. Choice vs ability.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 1
“I can’t swim” (ability) is closest to…
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