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Korean Grammar Patterns
-고 말다 vs -지 말다
Meaning
End up / Don't (말다 auxiliaries)
How to use it
-고 말다 means an action 'ends up' happening, often regrettably or finally despite circumstances. -지 말다 is the negative command/request 'don't ~'; its imperative is -지 마(세요).
-고 말다 stresses inevitability/regret: 울고 말았다 = ended up crying.,-지 말다 negates commands only, not statements.
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 결국 시험에 떨어지고 말았다. gyeolguk siheome tteoreojigo marratda. | In the end, I ended up failing the exam. |
| 여기서 담배를 피우지 마세요. yeogiseo dambaereul piuji maseyo. | Please don't smoke here. |
| 비밀을 다른 사람에게 말하지 마. bimireul dareun saramege malhaji ma. | Don't tell the secret to anyone. |
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