What does 안 mean?
안 means "did not eat" in Korean.
How it works here
‘안’ negates the verb ‘먹었어’ (ate), meaning that the action was not done. Here, with a completed-action form, it indicates a state of not having eaten yet.
In this line
안 먹었어
‘안’ comes before a verb to express negation. Unlike ‘못’, which indicates inability, ‘안’ means that an action was not done even though it was possible. It naturally appears before verbs, as in ‘안 먹었어’ or ‘안 가요’.
When it's used
Used when checking how much food remains and asking or answering whether enough is still left.
The line
다 안 먹었어? 네? 이제 거의 다 먹었어요
You didn't eat it all? Huh? I've eaten almost all of it now.
This is said while checking food or the amount eaten and asking whether enough remains.
Scene from “Run BTS! 2022 Special Episode - Telepathy Part 2” · Channel: BANGTANTV Watch on YouTube
More examples
아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고파.
I'm hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.
이 약은 식사 전에 안 드셔도 됩니다.
You don't have to take this medicine before a meal.
Quick check
What does this mean here?
안
다 안 먹었어? 네? 이제 거의 다 먹었어요
You didn't eat it all? Huh? I've eaten almost all of it now.
- Already ate everything
- Did not eat anything at all
- Left a little
- To not do an action or to still be in an incomplete state
Show the answer
To not do an action or to still be in an incomplete state
‘안’ comes before a verb to express negation. Unlike ‘못’, which indicates inability, ‘안’ means that an action was not done even though it was possible. It naturally appears before verbs, as in ‘안 먹었어’ or ‘안 가요’.
Other words in this line
- 다
- All; everything
- 이제
- Now; from now
- 거의
- Almost
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