-지 않다
Quick answer: -지 않다 means not — the other way to make a negative.
How to form it
Stem + 지 않아요 · same meaning as 안 + verb · 안 추워요 = 춥지 않아요
In Korean: 어간 + 지 않아요 안 -과 뜻이 같습니다 안 추워요 = 춥지 않아요
What to know
안 - and -지 않다 mean the same thing. 안 - is shorter and more common in speech; -지 않다 sounds a little more formal and is easier to use with long verbs. Learn both and use whichever fits your mouth.
Examples
- 오늘은 춥지 않아요.It isn't cold today.
- 김밥은 맵지 않아요.Gimbap isn't spicy.
- 저는 라면을 먹지 않아요.I don't eat ramyeon.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 16: 비가 오지만 안 추워요 — It's raining but it isn't cold. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -지만.
Practise -지 않다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 16 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.