Meaning and Usage
The Korean verb '말다' primarily means 'to stop' or 'to cease' doing something. It is often used in negative imperatives or prohibitions, instructing someone not to do a particular action.
Common Patterns
- Verb stem + -지 말다: This is the most frequent pattern, used to tell someone not to do something. For example, '가지 말다' means 'do not go.'
- 말다 alone can also be used to indicate stopping an ongoing action.
Register and Politeness
'말다' is commonly used in everyday speech and can appear in both formal and informal contexts depending on the verb endings attached. When combined with polite endings, it becomes a polite prohibition.
Common Collocations
- 하지 말다: do not do
- 먹지 말다: do not eat
- 가지 말다: do not go
- 포기 말다: do not give up
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '말다' with '멈추다' (to stop). '말다' is used specifically in prohibitive or negative commands, while '멈추다' describes the act of stopping itself. Remember to use '말다' with the verb stem + -지 form to make negative commands.
Using '말다' correctly helps you give clear instructions or advice about what not to do, which is essential in daily conversations and formal requests.