안 (an) · 못 (mos)
Both 안 (an) and 못 (mot) express negation, but 안 indicates intentional negation, while 못 emphasizes inability or situational negation.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adverb expressing intentional negation or refusal
When to use
Intentional negation, Voluntary refusal, Ability-independent negation
The nuance
Use 안 when the speaker intentionally chooses not to do something, regardless of ability or circumstances.
An adverb expressing inability or impossibility due to lack of ability or circumstances
When to use
Inability negation, Situational impossibility, Intention-independent negation
The nuance
Use 못 when the speaker cannot do something due to inability or situational constraints, regardless of intention.
안 가요.
an ga-yo., an ga yo.
안 indicates intentional negation, fitting when the speaker chooses not to go.
못 가요.
mos ga-yo., mos ga yo.
못 expresses inability or situational impossibility, fitting when the speaker cannot go.
안 먹었어요.
an meok-eoss-eo-yo., an meok eoss eo yo.
Use 안 when the speaker intentionally did not eat.
못 먹었어요.
mos meok-eoss-eo-yo., mos meok eoss eo yo.
Use 못 when the speaker was unable to eat due to circumstances.
못 안 가요.
mos an ga-yo., mos an ga yo.
못 cannot precede 안 to form double negation; this sentence is ungrammatical.
안 못 가요.
an mos ga-yo., an mos ga yo.
Using 안 and 못 together as negations is ungrammatical.
안 할 수 없어요.
an hal su eop-eo-yo., an hal su eop eo yo.
Double negation with 안 and 수 없다 is unnatural here.
못 못 가요.
mos mos ga-yo., mos mos ga yo.
Repeating 못 is ungrammatical.
Which negation to use when unable due to lack of ability?
Which negation is used for intentional refusal?
Fill in the blank: "I can't study ( ) because of tomorrow's exam."
Fill in the blank: "I'm tired today, so I will ( ) exercise."
What does it mean?
