Long Negation: ~지 않다 and ~지 못하다

Overview

Korean has two forms of negation: short and long. This lesson covers the long negation patterns:

Long negation places the negation word after the verb stem, while short negation places it before. Both convey the same core meaning, but long negation is preferred in certain situations.

~지 않다: Long Simple Negation

Form

The 않다 part conjugates like a regular adjective:

Conjugation table

Examples with action verbs

Examples with adjectives

~지 못하다: Long Inability Negation

Form

못하다 conjugates like a regular 하다 verb:

Conjugation table

Examples

Like short 못, ~지 못하다 is not used with adjectives. You cannot say 예쁘지 못해요 (use 예쁘지 않아요 instead).

Short vs Long Negation Comparison

When to Prefer Long Negation

1. Long compound verbs

With long compound verbs, long negation sounds more natural:

2. Formal writing and speech

Long negation is preferred in academic writing, news, and formal documents:

이 결과는 예상하지 못했습니다. (We did not anticipate this result.) 그 주장은 사실이 아닌 것으로 밝혀지지 않았습니다. (That claim has not been proven false.)

3. Emphasis and clarity

Long negation can feel more emphatic and deliberate:

저는 절대 포기하지 않을 거예요. I will absolutely never give up.

4. Before connective endings

When the negation is followed by a connective ending (~고, ~면, ~서, etc.), long negation often sounds more natural:

When Short Negation Is Preferred

Short negation is preferred in:

Special Expression: ~지 않다 in Questions

Long negation is commonly used in polite questions:

These questions often carry a suggestion or expectation of agreement, similar to English tag questions.

Double Negation: ~지 않을 수 없다

This advanced pattern creates an emphatic affirmative through double negation:

웃지 않을 수 없었어요. I couldn't help but laugh. (Literally: "I couldn't not laugh.")

가지 않을 수 없어요. I have no choice but to go.

Common Mistakes

Side-by-Side: All Four Negation Forms

All four are correct. Choose based on formality, verb length, and context.

Summary

1. ~지 않다 = long form of 안 (simple negation). Verb stem + 지 않다.
2. ~지 못하다 = long form of 못 (inability). Verb stem + 지 못하다.
3. 않다 conjugates normally: 않아요, 않았어요, 않을 거예요.
4. 못하다 conjugates like 하다: 못해요, 못했어요, 못할 거예요.
5. Long negation is preferred with long compound verbs, formal writing, and connective endings.
6. Short negation is preferred in quick casual speech and short verbs.
7. ~지 못하다 is not used with adjectives (same as short 못).
8. Both short and long negation convey the same meaning; the choice is about style and context.