-지 마
Quick answer: -지 마 means do not — the casual form of -지 마세요.
How to form it
Verb stem + 지 마 · cannot be used with adjectives
In Korean: 동사 어간 + 지 마 형용사에는 못 씁니다
What to know
-지 마 works on actions only. You cannot say 「바쁘지 마」, because being busy is not something you do on purpose. Among friends it is normal and not rude; to anyone older, use -지 마세요 or the whole thing falls apart.
Examples
- 떠들지 마.Do not make noise.
- 늦지 마.Do not be late.
- 만지지 마.Do not touch it.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 27: 주말이니까 나가자 — It is the weekend — let us go out. Also in the Level 2 book.
Practise -지 마 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 27 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.