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-지 못하다Korean expression · TOPIK 1

-ji motada

TOPIK 1 1급Expressions 표현2 senses

One expression with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

An expression used to indicate that the speaker cannot do the act mentioned in the preceding statement, or that things did not work out as the subject intended.

앞말이 나타내는 행동을 할 능력이 없거나 주어의 의지대로 되지 않음을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-.

동사나 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

승규는 심한 감기에 걸려 밥도 잘 먹지 못했다.

Seunggyu caught a bad cold and couldn't even eat properly.

유민이와 함께 여행을 가지 못해 너무 아쉽다.

I'm so disappointed that I couldn't go on a trip with Yumin.

우리 팀의 패배는 누구도 예상하지 못한 충격적인 결과였다.

Our team's defeat was a shocking result that no one could have predicted.

대화In conversation

지수가 결국 시험에 떨어졌대.

I heard Jisu finally failed the exam.

그렇게 노력했는데도 합격하지 못했다니 시험이 정말 어려웠나 봐.

After all that effort, she couldn't pass—the exam must have been really hard.

An expression used to indicate that the state mentioned in the preceding statement cannot be attained.

앞말이 나타내는 상태에 이를 수 없음을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after some adjectives.

일부 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

자기보다 약한 동물을 괴롭히다니 사람답지 못하다.

Bullying animals weaker than yourself is not worthy of a human being.

어린 시절의 기억은 그에게 그렇게 아름답지 못했다.

His childhood memories were not that beautiful to him.

밤에 과식을 하면 속이 편하지 못해 깊은 잠에 들기 어렵다.

If you overeat at night, your stomach won't feel comfortable, making it hard to fall into a deep sleep.

대화In conversation

너무 화가 나서 유민이한테 꺼져 버리라고 했어요. 유민이가 많이 속상했을까요?

I was so angry that I told Yumin to get lost. Do you think Yumin is really upset?

그럼. 친구한테 그렇게 좋지 못한 말을 하면 안 돼.

Of course. You shouldn't say such unkind things to a friend.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-고 싶다 -go sipda An expression used to state that the speaker wants to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 1 -고 있다 -go itda An expression used to state that the act mentioned in the preceding statement is continued. TOPIK 1 -기 전에 -gi jeone -기 전 An expression used to state that a certain act occurs earlier than the act in the preceding statement. TOPIK 1 -어야 되다 -eoya doeda -아야 되다 · -여야 되다 An expression used to indicate that one needs or is obligated to do a certain thing. TOPIK 1 -은 후에 -eun hu-e -은 후 · -ㄴ 후 An expression used to indicate that one does a certain act mentioned in the preceding statement and a while later, does another thing. TOPIK 1 -을 수 있다 -eul su itda -ㄹ 수 있다 An expression used to indicate that one has an ability to do something. TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -지 못하다 mean in Korean?

-지 못하다 is a expression introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). An expression used to indicate that the speaker cannot do the act mentioned in the preceding statement, or that things did not work out as the subject intended. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -지 못하다?

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-.

What TOPIK level is -지 못하다?

1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.