안 vs 못: two ways to say "not" in Korean
한국어로 읽기 →Compare 「저는 매운 음식을 안 먹어요」 and 「저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요」. English translation tools often render both sentences as "I do not eat spicy food". Yet to a native Korean speaker, they convey fundamentally different attitudes.
In Korean, negation divides cleanly along one question: is this your deliberate choice, or an external inability?
안: Negation of will and choice
「안」 expresses that you are capable of doing something, but actively choose not to. It indicates intention, decision, or personal preference.
못: Negation of ability and circumstance
「못」 indicates that regardless of your desire, external circumstances, physical limitations, or lack of skill prevent you from doing it.
Why confusing them causes social awkwardness
Suppose a coworker invites you to dinner tonight. If you reply 「오늘 안 가요」, you are saying "I choose not to go" — which sounds blunt, almost dismissive. If you say 「오늘 선약이 있어서 못 가요」 (I have a prior engagement, so I cannot go), you express that you would attend if you were free.
Adjectives take 안, not 못
Because adjectives describe states rather than intentional actions, adjectives almost never take 「못」.
날씨가 안 좋아요. (Correct: The weather is not good.)
날씨가 못 좋아요. (Incorrect — weather has no ability or skill.)
방이 안 넓어요. (Correct: The room is not spacious.)
Remember: use 「안」 for deliberate decisions and descriptive adjectives. Reserve 「못」 when physical limits, skill, or busy schedules hold you back.
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