절대 (jeol-dae, jeoldae) · 결코 (gyeol-ko, gyeolko)
Both 절대 and 결코 strongly emphasize negation, but 절대 is more forceful and commonly used in everyday speech, while 결코 sounds more formal and literary.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Expresses strong negation, very common in everyday conversation
When to use
everyday negation emphasis, strong prohibition, negation in emotional expression
The nuance
절대 is used in negative sentences to strongly emphasize that something will never happen or be done; it is natural in spoken Korean.
Strong negation in negative sentences, mainly used in written or formal contexts
When to use
literary negation emphasis, formal speeches or writing, legal or official documents
The nuance
결코 also expresses strong negation but is mainly used in literary or formal contexts; it sounds unnatural in casual spoken Korean.
나는 절대 거짓말하지 않아.
na-neun jeol-dae geo-jis-mal-ha-ji an-a., na neun jeol dae geo jis mal ha ji an a.
절대 is natural for strong negation in everyday speech.
나는 결코 거짓말하지 않아.
na-neun gyeol-ko geo-jis-mal-ha-ji an-a., na neun gyeol ko geo jis mal ha ji an a.
결코 is acceptable in formal or literary contexts.
나는 절대로 거짓말하지 않아.
na-neun jeol-dae-ro geo-jis-mal-ha-ji an-a., na neun jeol dae ro geo jis mal ha ji an a.
Adding '-로' to 절대 is natural and maintains emphasis.
나는 결코로 거짓말하지 않아.
na-neun gyeol-ko-ro geo-jis-mal-ha-ji an-a., na neun gyeol ko ro geo jis mal ha ji an a.
결코 is not used with '-로'; this form is incorrect.
그는 결코 늦지 않을 것이다.
geu-neun gyeol-ko neuj-ji an-eul geos-i-da., geu neun gyeol ko neuj ji an eul geos i da.
결코 suits formal, literary sentences.
그는 절대 늦지 않을 것이다.
geu-neun jeol-dae neuj-ji an-eul geos-i-da., geu neun jeol dae neuj ji an eul geos i da.
절대 is natural for strong negation in everyday contexts.
절대로 그럴 리가 없다.
jeol-dae-ro geu-reol ri-ga eop-da., jeol dae ro geu reol ri ga eop da.
Attaching '-로' to 절대 as an adverb here is incorrect.
결코 그런 일이 일어나지 않을 것이다.
gyeol-ko geu-reon il-i il-eo-na-ji an-eul geos-i-da., gyeol ko geu reon il i il eo na ji an eul geos i da.
결코 fits strong negation in literary style.
Which is the most natural negation emphasis in everyday conversation?
Which negation emphasis is often used in official or legal documents?
Which expression is incorrect in this sentence? '나는 결코로 거짓말하지 않아.'
