hajima vs andwae
Hajima vs Andwae: What's the Difference? (Two Ways Koreans Say 'Stop' or 'No')
하지마
hajima · hajima
안돼
andwae · andwae
Quick answer
Hajima (하지마) means 'don't do that / stop it,' while andwae (안돼) means 'no / you can't / that can't be' — hajima stops an action, andwae refuses or rejects a situation.
Comparison table
| Aspect | hajima | andwae |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Don't do that / stop it | No / you can't / that can't happen |
| Hangul | 하지마 | 안돼 |
| Romanization | hajima | andwae |
| What it targets | A specific action someone is doing or about to do | A situation, request, or reality — can be a refusal or a cry of despair |
| Tone in K-dramas | Urgent or pleading — 'please stop' | Desperate or firm — 'this can't be happening' or 'absolutely not' |
| Can be used alone? | Yes — 하지마! as one word is common | Yes — 안돼! alone is a classic K-drama scream |
hajima examples
하지마, 제발.
Hajima, jebal.
Stop it, please.
그렇게 하지마.
Geureoke hajima.
Don't do it like that.
andwae examples
안돼! 가지 마!
Andwae! Gaji ma!
No! Don't go!
그건 안돼.
Geugeon andwae.
That's not okay / you can't do that.
Which one should you use?
Use hajima when you want someone to stop a specific action right now — it targets behavior. Use andwae to reject a proposal, refuse permission, or react with shock to something that just happened. In K-dramas you'll often hear both back to back during an emotional scene: '하지마! 안돼!' translates roughly to 'Stop! No!'
FAQ
Is hajima rude?
It's blunt — definitely casual. To someone older you'd soften it: 하지 마세요 (haji maseyo) is the polite form.
What's the polite form of andwae?
안됩니다 (andoemnida) is formal, and 안돼요 (andwaeyo) is polite. Both mean the same thing but are appropriate for older people or formal situations.
Why do K-drama characters scream andwae so dramatically?
안돼 can also mean 'this can't be happening' — it's used as a cry of disbelief or grief, not just a simple refusal. That dual usage makes it a go-to emotional outburst.