Korean grammar · Level 3 · 3급
V-지 말자
Let's not …
-자 (Level 2, Unit 9) is “let's” in casual speech, and -지 말자 is “let's not”. Both are used between friends — and on posters and slogans, where short casual sentences sound punchy. With someone older, say -지 말아요; to a group in formal speech, -지 맙시다.
| When | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| let's | -자 | 환경을 지키자 |
| let's not | -지 말자 | 일회용 컵을 쓰지 말자 |
| polite · formal | -지 말아요 · -지 맙시다 | 늦게 자지 말아요 · 쓰레기를 버리지 맙시다 |
Examples
일회용 컵을 쓰지 말자.
Let's not use disposable cups.
음식을 남기지 말자.
Let's not leave any food.
오늘은 늦게 자지 말자.
Let's not stay up late tonight.
Practise it in context · Level 3, Unit 9
Let's protect the environment
A dialogue with audio, practice that checks itself, Hoya’s mistakes, a reading and a writing task.
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