What does 안 돼 mean?
안 돼 means "It is not allowed; you can’t." in Korean.
How it works here
‘안’ comes before ‘돼’ to form ‘안 되다’. The negative ‘안’ indicates that something is not allowed here.
Key expression
안 되다
Indicates that an action or condition is not allowed or cannot be established.
Often used in the form ‘안 되다’, and in conversation it is frequently shortened to ‘안 돼’. It is also commonly used to express prohibition or impossibility in a relatively soft way.
When it's used
Used to say that an action is impossible or a condition is not allowed because of a rule, requirement, or circumstance.
The line
안 돼, 안 돼, 안 돼
No, no, no.
The speaker clearly says that an action cannot be done because of a rule or circumstance.
Scene from “Run BTS! 2022 Special Episode - Telepathy Part 2” · Channel: BANGTANTV Watch on YouTube
More examples
지금은 예약 없이는 입장 안 돼.
You can’t enter now without a reservation.
이 서류는 오늘 안에 제출이 안 됩니다.
This document cannot be submitted today.
Quick check
When would you use this expression?
안 돼
안 돼, 안 돼, 안 돼
No, no, no.
- A situation of saying that the action must be done.
- A situation of clearly saying that the action cannot be done under the rules.
- A situation of explaining that the action is very easy.
Show the answer
A situation of clearly saying that the action cannot be done under the rules.
Indicates that an action or condition is not allowed or cannot be established. Often used in the form ‘안 되다’, and in conversation it is frequently shortened to ‘안 돼’. It is also commonly used to express prohibition or impossibility in a relatively soft way.
Other words in this line
- 안
- Not; no
- 되다
- To become; to work out
Same expression in other scenes
Learn Korean from the people you already love watching.
Learn Korean from Your Bias turns moments like this one into compact lessons. Pick a bias and try one free — five cards, no account needed.
Pick your bias and try a free lesson