Example Sentences#

1. 멈추지 마, 이 순간¹
   Don’t stop, not in this moment
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to not do’, and 마 (a contraction of 말아) is its casual conjugation form, commonly used in informal speech for negative imperatives conveying a gentle tone.
2. 나는 슬쩍 너를 바라볼 거고, 너는 아무 말도 하지 마.²
   I will steal a glance at you, and you will say nothing.
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to not do’, and 마 (a contraction of 말아) is its casual conjugation form, commonly used in informal speech for negative imperatives conveying a gentle tone.
3. 자유가 내 감옥이 되고 말았지³
   Freedom ended up becoming my prison.
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to cease’, and in this context functions as an auxiliary verb indicating that the action mentioned in the preceding statement was eventually realized or completed.
   • -고 말다 is a grammar pattern used to express that an action was completed despite the speaker’s intention or desire to avoid it, often with a nuance of regret, inevitability, or an undesired outcome. It is commonly translated as ‘ended up doing’.
   • 았 is a past tense marker.
   • -지 is a sentence-ending particle that conveys the speaker’s presumption of shared understanding with the listener. In the declarative mood, it expresses certainty or strong affirmation, often asserting something believed to be obvious or mutually understood.
4. “아가, 울지 마.⁴
   “Baby, don’t cry.
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to not do’, and 마 (a contraction of 말아) is its casual conjugation form, commonly used in informal speech for negative imperatives conveying a gentle tone.
5. 걱정하지 마.⁵
   Don’t worry.
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to not do’, and 마 (a contraction of 말아) is its casual conjugation form, commonly used in informal speech for negative imperatives conveying a gentle tone.
6. “자, 울지 마.⁴
   “Come on, don’t cry.
   • 말다 means ‘to stop’ or ‘to not do’, and 마 (a contraction of 말아) is its casual conjugation form, commonly used in informal speech for negative imperatives conveying a gentle tone.