Meaning
가지 마
gaji ma
Don't go
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This is a very common phrase in close relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or familial. It's often said with a hint of sadness, desperation, or affection when someone is about to depart, and it implies a desire for them to remain longer. It's too informal for strangers or superiors, and often appears in emotional K-drama scenes when characters are reluctant to separate.
💬 Used in real life
• Said by a child to a parent leaving for work in the morning.
• Used by a partner to their significant other who is about to leave after a visit.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
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Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
가다gadaverb stem
verb stem
The base form of the verb 'to go'.
-지 마-ji manegative command ending
negative command ending
Attached to a verb stem to form an informal negative command, meaning 'don't [verb]'.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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