-지 마세요/-지 마 in Korean: “don't”
-지 마세요/-지 마
-ji maseyo/-ji ma
don't
Beginner · Sentence endings
-지 마세요/-지 마 (-ji maseyo/-ji ma) means "don't." You add it to a verb to tell someone not to do something. -지 마세요 is polite and -지 마 is casual.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb stem (polite) | + 지 마세요 | 가다 → 가지 마세요, 먹다 → 먹지 마세요 |
| Verb stem (casual) | + 지 마 | 울다 → 울지 마 |
| 하다 verb | 하 + 지 마세요 | 걱정하다 → 걱정하지 마세요 |
| Very formal (signs, notices) | + 지 마십시오 | 들어가다 → 들어가지 마십시오 |
How to use it
-지 마세요 comes from 말다 (to stop, not do) and makes a negative command: "don't do it." It attaches to verbs.
Pick the level that fits the person: 지 마 for friends and younger people, 지 마세요 for most polite situations, and 지 마십시오 for formal signs and announcements.
You'll also hear 아프지 마 ("don't get sick") as a caring wish, even though 아프다 is an adjective. For feelings, Korean usually uses the -아/어하다 form: 슬퍼하지 마세요 ("don't be sad").
Examples
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Comforting someone
A friend is crying
A museum guard
A friend working late
Don’t mix it up with
안 + verb: 안 가세요 means "you're not going" or "aren't you going?" To tell someone not to go, say 가지 마세요.
-(으)세요: -(으)세요 asks someone to do something. -지 마세요 asks them not to.
Common mistakes
Using 안 for a negative command. "Don't eat" is 먹지 마세요, not 안 먹으세요.
Using it with feeling adjectives. "Don't be sad" is 슬퍼하지 마세요, using the -아/어하다 verb form, rather than 슬프지 마세요.
Want the basics first? Read Saying no: 안 vs 못.
Questions learners ask
What does 하지 마 mean?
하지 마 means "don't do it." It is casual. The polite version is 하지 마세요.
What is the difference between 지 마 and 지 마세요?
They mean the same thing. 지 마 is for friends and younger people, and 지 마세요 is polite.
What does 아프지 마 mean?
It means "don't get sick" or "stay well." People say it to show they care.