따라 하지 마
ttara haji ma
To say stop copying me in Korean, use 따라 하지 마 (ttara haji ma).
따라 하지 마 tells someone to stop imitating your words or actions. It is also commonly written without the space, as 따라하지 마, meaning don't copy me.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of 따라, following or imitating and 하지 마, do not do.
Which one should you use?
제발 따라하지 마세요. means please don't copy me, and 제발 따라하지 마십시오. means please do not copy me in a formal way.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
따라 하지 마 is informal speech, only for friends, younger people or casual settings. Adding 세요 gives 따라 하지 마세요, which is polite and suits people you are not close to or who are older than you. The ending in 마십시오 is formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the negative command ending 지 마 to tell someone not to do an action.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as ttara haji ma.
Did you know?
- While 따라 하지 마 is a command to stop copying, mirroring the speech or habits of a social superior is often seen in Korean culture as a gesture of admiration and respect.
- In certain contexts, the word 마 can be linked to the Middle Korean word 맣〮, which is thought to be related to the word for 'south wind', 마파람.
- The word 마 used in this command is a piece of linguistic history, appearing in the 1446 document Hunminjeong'eum Haerye, one of the earliest records of the Korean writing system.
Examples in context
- 야, 따라하지 마!Hey, don't copy me!
- 내 말투 좀 따라 하지 마.nae maltu jom ttara haji ma.Stop copying my way of speaking.
- 자꾸 내 행동 따라 하지 마.jakku nae haengdong ttara haji ma.Stop copying my actions repeatedly.
- 그만 좀 따라 하지 마!geuman jom ttara haji ma!Just stop copying me!
Example conversation
Two siblings are playing in the living room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지야, 내 행동 좀 따라 하지 마.minji-ya, nae haengdong jom ttara haji ma.Minji, stop copying my actions.
- 민지 Min-ji그냥 재미있어서 그러는 거야.geunyang jaemi-isseoseo geureoneun geoya.I'm just doing it because it's fun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진짜 짜증 나니까 따라 하지 마.jinja jjajeung nanikka ttara haji ma.It's really annoying, so stop copying me.
- 민지 Min-ji알았어, 이제 안 할게.arasseo, ije an halge.Okay, I won't do it anymore.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 마, 하지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
