Korean · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Never" in Korean: 절대 … 않다
절대 … 않다jeoldae … anta
Never in Korean is 절대 … 않다 (jeoldae … anta). 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
Never: starting the exchange
그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.geugoseneun jeoldae gaji anhayo.
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How to pronounce 절대 … 않다
Say it
jeoldae … anta
/tɕʌltɛ antʰa/
절대 … 않다 is read jeoldae … anta. In 절대 가지 않아요, read the full phrase as jeoldae gaji anhayo.
"Never" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 절대 … 않다jeoldae … anta | Never The inventory form for never. | The inventory form for never. |
| 절대 가지 않아요jeoldae gaji anhayo | I never go 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never. | 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never. |
How to use 절대 … 않다 in real life
- 1Never: starting the exchange
그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
geugoseneun jeoldae gaji anhayo.
I never go there.
절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
- 2Never: adding useful context
약속을 절대 잊지 않아요.
yaksogeul jeoldae itji anhayo.
I never forget promises.
This sentence places 절대 … 않다 in a complete exchange.
- 3Never: a different conversation
그 이야기는 절대 하지 않아요.
geu iyagineun jeoldae haji anhayo.
I never tell that story.
This sentence places 절대 … 않다 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 절대 … 않다
Incorrect: 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요이에요.
Correct: 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
When practicing never, a conjugated predicate already finishes this sentence; do not append the noun copula 이에요. Keep the complete form 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
Incorrect: 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요습니다.
Correct: 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
When practicing never, do not append a formal sentence ending to a predicate that already has its polite ending. Keep the complete form 그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
Good to know
절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led time numbers and colors study exercise: two sentences with 절대 … 않다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요.
geugoseneun jeoldae gaji anhayo.
I never go there.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
약속을 절대 잊지 않아요.
yaksogeul jeoldae itji anhayo.
I never forget promises.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Never" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Never" in Korean
What does 절대 … 않다 mean?
Never in Korean is 절대 … 않다 (jeoldae … anta). 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
When should I say 절대 가지 않아요?
절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
How does 절대 가지 않아요 differ from the basic expression?
절대 가지 않아요 means “I never go”. 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
Can I use 절대 … 않다 in a full sentence?
그곳에는 절대 가지 않아요. means “I never go there.” 절대 strengthens a negative predicate; it does not independently turn a positive verb into never.
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