안 vs. 않 — What is the difference?
What is the difference between 안 and 않?
The pronunciation of 안 and 않 is basically the same since the last ㅎ in 않 is silent. Also, they are both used to express negation. So, what is their difference? Are they the same?
To differentiate 안 and 않, we only need to remember this:
안 is placed before verbs or adjectives on its own, while 않 has its own structure ‘verb / adjective + 지 않다’ (or attached to other structures like 않고, 않으며..).
Detailed explanation of the difference between 안 and 않: 안 is the abbreviated form of 아니, while 않- is the abbreviated form of 아니하-. The last sound 하 in 않 is actually the 하 in 아니하-, so it’s usually followed by the sentence ending 아요.
안：
안 + Verb / Adjective
Examples: 안 들어요 = not listening / 안 예뻐요 = not pretty
하다-verbs：안 is placed before 하다: 공부하다 → 공부 안 하다 → 공부 안 해요 = not studying
않-：
Verb / Adjective + 지 않다
Examples: 듣지 않아요 = not listening / 예쁘지 않아요 = not pretty
하다-verbs: 공부하지 않아요 = not studying
Summary:
안: short negatives; placed BEFORE verbs or adjectives on its own
않: long negatives; has its own structure ‘verb / adjective + 지 않다’ or attached to other structures like 않고, 않으며
