Korean for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 0

The zoo is too quiet

Negative form -지 않다 in Korean — 방문객이 많지 않아요 (There aren't many visitors) — alternative to 안.

Conversation

  1. Muri Muri

    와, 동물원이 너무 조용해요.

    Wa, dongmurwoni neomu joyonghaeyo.

    Wow, the zoo is so quiet.

    Tip: <동물원> = zoo <너무> = too, so <조용해요> = adjective "to be quiet"

  2. Yaya Yaya

    요즘 방문객이 많지 않아요.

    Yojeum bangmungaegi manchi anayo.

    There are not many visitors these days.

    Tip: <요즘> = these days <방문객> = visitor <N이/가 많지 않아요> = verb "not to have a lot of N"/"There are few of" [Note] To make a negative sentence with verbs or adjectives, we can combinate tge verb stem with the negation suffix -지 않아요.

  3. Muri Muri

    이유가 뭐예요?

    Iyuga mwoyeyo?

    What is the reason?

    Tip: <이유> = reason <N이/가 뭐예요?> = "What's N?"

  4. Yaya Yaya

    입장권 가격이 많이 올랐어요.

    Ipjanggwon gagyeogi mani ollasseoyo.

    Entrance ticket prices have increased a lot.

    Tip: <입장권> = entrance ticket <가격> = price <많이> = a lot <올랐어요> = verb "to increase" (in past tense)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

When to use -지 않다 vs 안?

-지 않다 is more formal/literary. 안 is more casual. Both negate verbs. 많지 않아요 = 많이 안 있어요 (not many).

What is 방문객?

'Visitor'. 방문 (visit) + 객 (guest/customer). Common at tourist spots, zoos, museums.

What does 조용해요 mean?

'Quiet'. 조용하다 → 조용해요 (polite). 시끄러워요 = noisy.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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