Dictionary — Entry No. 0331
하지마
hajima · expression
하지마
hajima
[HAH-ji-mah]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
An informal command meaning ‘don’t’ or ‘stop it,’ formed from the negative imperative of ‘하다 (hada — to do).’ It orders someone to cease an action immediately and carries significant emotional weight depending on context — from playful teasing to desperate pleading.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
BTS’s early anthem ‘N.O’ repeats ‘하지마 하지마 하지마’ as a defiant refusal of societal pressure, cementing the word as a rallying cry in K-Pop. In K-Dramas, characters use it in charged confrontations and tender moments — begging someone to stop hurting themselves or to stop leaving.
Example Sentences
하지마! 그거 내 거야.
Hajima! Geugeo nae geoya.
Stop it! That’s mine. (sharp, protective command — playful or serious depending on tone)
제발 하지마. 부탁이야.
Jebal hajima. Butakiya.
Please don’t. I’m begging you. (emotional and desperate, often heard in K-Drama climactic scenes)
그런 말 하지마. 듣기 싫어.
Geureon mal hajima. Deutgi shireo.
Don’t say things like that. I hate hearing it. (hurt and defensive, used when someone says something painful)
⚠️ Don’t use hajima when…
Using informal ‘하지마 (hajima)’ with elders, teachers, or strangers is considered rude and disrespectful — always use ‘하지 마세요 (haji maseyo)’ in formal situations. Never confuse it with ‘하지만 (hajiman)’ which means ‘but’ or ‘however’ — they sound similar but are completely unrelated.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — Captain Yoo Shi-jin deploys this word in both tense military standoffs and soft romantic moments, making it one of the most emotionally layered words across the drama’s run.
- K-Pop: BTS — ‘N.O’ (2013) — the lyrics chant ‘하지마 하지마 하지마’ as a rebellious refusal of adult-imposed pressure on youth, making this word iconic in Korean generational discourse.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.