Core Pattern Rule: The Negative Command -지 마
This pattern is the most common way to tell someone not to do something in Korean. It functions as a direct negative command, equivalent to "Don't..." in English.
Formation
Simply attach -지 마 to the stem of any verb, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
가다 (to go) → 가 + 지 마 → 가지 마 (Don't go)
먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 지 마 → 먹지 마 (Don't eat)
하다 (to do) → 하 + 지 마 → 하지 마 (Don't do it)
Usage
Use -지 마 when you want to prohibit an action or command someone to stop. It's direct and can be used in a wide range of situations, from casual warnings to firm instructions.
하지 마. / 먹지 마. / 가지 마. / 잊지 마.
Stronger Prohibitions: -지 마세요 and -지 마십시오
While -지 마(요) is common in conversation, Korean has more formal ways to express prohibition, often seen in public spaces or formal settings.
Polite & Firm: -지 마세요
Adding the honorific -세- makes the command -지 마세요. This is still polite (해요체) but feels more formal and authoritative than -지 마요. It's commonly used by staff toward customers or on public signs.
Example: 사진 찍지 마세요. (Please don't take pictures.)
Very Formal: -지 마십시오
This is the most formal and strongest level of prohibition (하십시오체). You will frequently encounter it in written notices, public announcements (like on the subway), and in very formal speeches. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
Example: 문에 기대지 마십시오. (Do not lean on the doors.)
여기서 담배 피우지 마세요. / 뛰지 마십시오. / 문에 기대지 마십시오.
Synonyms & Differences: -지 마 vs. -(으)면 안 되다
Learners often confuse -지 마 with -(으)면 안 되다. While both express prohibition, they have different nuances.
-지 마: Direct Command
As we've learned, -지 마 is a direct order from the speaker to the listener. The focus is on the speaker's will.