Level 5

불가

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '불가' (bulga) is a formal noun meaning 'impossibility' or 'not allowed.' It is often used in official or written contexts to indicate that something cannot be done or is prohibited.

Common Contexts

'불가' frequently appears in legal, administrative, or formal documents to express that exceptions are not permitted or that certain actions are impossible. It can also be part of compound expressions like '불가피' (inevitable) or '불가항력' (force majeure).

Collocations and Patterns

  • 불가하다: to be impossible or not allowed
  • 불가피하다: to be inevitable
  • 불가항력: irresistible force or force majeure

These collocations are useful to express nuances of impossibility or necessity in formal speech or writing.

Register and Politeness

'불가' is a formal and somewhat technical term. It is rarely used in casual conversation but common in written language, official announcements, and formal speech.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '불가' with casual negations like '안 되다' or '못 하다.' Remember that '불가' carries a stronger, more formal tone and is often used in institutional or legal contexts rather than everyday speech.

Example Sentences

이 규칙은 예외가 불가하다.

I gyuchik eun yeoe ga bulgaha da.

This rule does not allow any exceptions.

그 일은 불가피하게 취소되었다.

Geu il eun bulgapiha ge chwisodoe eotda.

That event was inevitably canceled.

불가항력적인 상황 때문에 약속을 지키지 못했다.

Bulgahangryeokjeogin sanghwang ttaemune yaksogeul jikiji mothaetda.

I couldn't keep the promise due to an irresistible situation.