못 expresses inability - you cannot do something due to external circumstances, lack of skill, or impossibility. Compare with 안 which expresses choice.
Physical inability - Can't do due to circumstances
Lack of skill - Don't have the ability
External prevention - Something stops you
I couldn''t go because I didn''t have time.
For 하다 verbs, 못 goes between the noun and 하다: 운동 못 해요.
안 vs 못
- 안 = choice (I don't want to)
- 못 = inability (I can't)
- "안 먹어요" = I don't eat (choice)
- "못 먹어요" = I can't eat (unable)
하다 verb position
- ✅ 운동 못 해요
- ❌ 못 운동해요
Cannot use with adjectives - 못 is only for verbs
- ❌ 못 예뻐요
- ✅ 안 예뻐요
I can't speak Korean.
I couldn't sleep yesterday.
I can't cook.
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