Core Grammar Rules: -(으)ㄴ 후에 and ~지 마세요
These two patterns are essential for giving instructions and advice. '-(으)ㄴ 후에' describes the order of events, while '~지 마세요' is used to prohibit an action.
Meaning & Usage
-(으)ㄴ 후에 (after doing...): This pattern attaches to a verb to indicate that one action happens after another action is completed. It clearly marks the sequence of events. It's equivalent to "after doing..." or "once you have done..." in English.
~지 마세요 (please don't...): This is the standard polite way to tell someone not to do something. It's a direct but respectful prohibition or negative command.
Conjugation Rules
-(으)ㄴ 후에:
Verb stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Add -ㄴ 후에.
보다 (to see) → 본 후에 (after seeing)
만들다 (to make) → 만든 후에 (after making)
Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add -은 후에.
먹다 (to eat) → 먹은 후에 (after eating)
씻다 (to wash) → 씻은 후에 (after washing)
~지 마세요:
Attach -지 마세요 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
가다 (to go) → 가지 마세요 (Please don't go)
읽다 (to read) → 읽지 마세요 (Please don't read)
본 후에 / 만든 후에 / 먹은 후에 / 씻은 후에 / 가지 마세요 / 읽지 마세요
Native Nuance & Mistakes
Understanding the subtle differences between similar patterns is key to sounding natural.
-(으)ㄴ 후에 vs. -고
Context: Both patterns indicate sequence, but -(으)ㄴ 후에 emphasizes that the first action is fully completed before the second one begins, often with a noticeable time gap. -고 is for a more general, immediate sequence. For actions that happen back-to-back, like opening a door and entering, -고 is more natural.
Example: 영화를 본 후에 밥을 먹었어요. (After watching the movie, we ate. - Correct, emphasizes completion.) vs. 문을 열고 들어왔어요. (I opened the door and came in. - Correct, immediate sequence.) Using 문을 연 후에 is grammatically possible but sounds a bit stiff.