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.
Don't add particles after 후에
Context: A common mistake for learners is to add a location or time particle like 에 after 후에. The word 후에 itself already means "after," so adding another particle is redundant and incorrect. Just connect it directly to the next clause.
숙제한 후에 놀 거예요 / 숙제한 후에에 놀 거예요
Common Actions with `-(으)ㄴ 후에`
The pattern -(으)ㄴ 후에 (after doing) is frequently paired with verbs related to daily actions, especially when giving instructions or sequencing events.
Instructions for Medicine
식사한 후에 (After a meal): This is the most common way to instruct someone on when to take medicine. It's a set phrase you'll often hear from doctors and pharmacists.
약을 먹은 후에 (After taking medicine): This phrase is often followed by a warning or prohibition about activities to avoid, like driving.
Sequencing Casual Actions
마신 후에 (After drinking): Used when suggesting the next action after finishing a drink, like tea or coffee. It helps structure a sequence of events in a casual conversation.
식사한 후에 드세요 / 이 약을 먹은 후에 운전하지 마세요 / 이거 마신 후에 잠깐 눈 좀 붙여
Responding to Advice and Prohibitions
When someone gives you advice or tells you not to do something (using ~지 마세요 or ~지 마), here are some ways you can respond based on the dialogue.
Accepting Politely
네. 알겠어요. (Yes, I understand.): A standard and polite way to acknowledge an instruction.
조심할게요. (I'll be careful.): A great response to a warning, showing you will take the necessary precautions.
푹 쉴게요. (I'll get plenty of rest.): Use this to show your intention to follow health advice about resting.
Asking for Reasons or Expressing Conflict
정말요? 왜요? (Really? Why?): Use this when a prohibition is unexpected and you want to know the reason behind it.
그래도... (But still...): In casual situations, you can use this to gently push back or explain why the advice is difficult to follow, like Jihun needing to study.
알겠어요. 조심할게요 / 푹 쉴게요 / 정말요? 왜요? / 그래도 공부해야 하는데?
Politeness & Register
The way you tell someone not to do something changes dramatically based on your relationship with them.
Polite Prohibition: ~지 마세요
Context: Use ~지 마세요 when speaking to strangers, elders, customers, or anyone you need to show respect to. It's the standard polite form you hear in public announcements, from staff, or in professional settings.
Example: 실내에서는 담배를 피우지 마세요. (Please do not smoke indoors.)
Casual Prohibition: ~지 마
Context: Use ~지 마 with close friends, family members of a similar age or younger, or anyone you speak to casually (반말). Using this with a stranger or someone older would be very rude. It can sound like a caring warning or a firm command depending on the tone.
여기서 사진 찍지 마세요 / 여기서 사진 찍지 마