mangseoriji ma, baro jilmunhae.

Don't hesitate, ask right away.

Breakdown of mangseoriji ma, baro jilmunhae.

• 질문하다: to ask
• 바로: right away
• 말다: to not do
• 망설이다: to hesitate

Questions & Answers about mangseoriji ma, baro jilmunhae.

What speech level is this, and who can I say it to?

It’s in the intimate/casual style (해체): 망설이지 마, 바로 질문해. Use it with close friends, juniors, or peers in informal settings. Avoid saying it to strangers, elders, or in formal contexts—it can sound too direct or rude there.

How do I make this polite?

Common polite versions:

• 망설이지 마세요, 바로 질문하세요. (polite imperative)
• 망설이지 마시고 바로 질문하세요. (linked politely; slightly smoother)
• Softer/permission:
  • 바로 질문해도 돼요. (You may ask right away.)
  • 편하게 바로 물어보세요. (Feel free to ask right away.)

What does the ending -지 마 mean?

• V-지 마 is the negative imperative: “don’t V.” It comes from the auxiliary verb 말다.
• Key forms:
  • Casual: 하지 마
  • Polite: 하지 마요
  • Polite honorific: 하지 마세요
  • Formal: 하지 마십시오
  • Blunt/literary: 하지 마라
  • Suggestion (let’s not): 하지 말자

Why is there a space in 망설이지 마?

Standard spacing writes the prohibitive separately: V-지 마. So 망설이지 마 is correct. In texting you’ll see 망설이지마, but in standard or formal writing you should keep the space.

Can I combine the two halves into one sentence?

Yes. Use the connective “don’t do X but rather do Y”:

• 망설이지 말고 바로 질문해. Polite: 망설이지 마시고 바로 질문하세요. This is very natural.

Is 질문해 the best verb here, or should I say 물어봐?

• 질문하다 = “to ask a question” (more formal/academic; used in classes, talks, Q&A).
• 물어보다/물어봐 = “to ask (someone)” (more colloquial, everyday). Both work, but in casual conversation 바로 물어봐 often sounds more natural. In class or at work, 바로 질문하세요 feels appropriate.

What exactly does 바로 mean here?

Here 바로 means “right away, immediately.” Other common senses of 바로 include “directly/straight” and “that very (exact)” as in 바로 그 사람. Synonyms for the “immediately” sense:

• 곧바로 (right away, with emphasis on no delay)
• 즉시 (immediately, formal)
• 당장 (right this instant; can sound urgent or forceful)

Can I use 지금 instead of 바로?

• 지금 = “now” (time point)
• 바로 = “right away/without delay” (speed/immediacy) Both are possible, but 바로 focuses on “don’t wait.” 지금 질문해 is “ask now,” while 바로 질문해 is “ask without hesitating.”

Where should 바로 go in the sentence?

Adverbs typically precede the verb or the object+verb:

• Natural: 바로 질문해, 질문을 바로 해
• Less natural: 질문 바로 해 (missing object marker sounds choppy)
• With 물어보다: 바로 물어봐 is very common.

Why is there no word for “you”?

Korean usually omits subjects when obvious from context. Imperatives target the listener by default. Adding 너 can sound scolding; 당신 is rarely used to address someone directly (and can be rude). If you must address the person, use their name/title (e.g., 민수야, 망설이지 마; 선생님, 바로 질문하세요).

Is the comma okay in Korean?

Yes. You can write it as two sentences or with a comma:

• 망설이지 마. 바로 질문해.
• 망설이지 마, 바로 질문해. Or link them: 망설이지 말고 바로 질문해. In polished writing, the linked version often reads smoothest.

How can I soften this so it feels more encouraging than commanding?

• Casual encouragement:
  • 궁금한 건 바로 물어봐.
  • 편하게 질문해.
  • 바로 질문해도 돼.
• Polite encouragement:
  • 편하게 질문해 주세요.
  • 궁금한 게 있으면 바로 물어보세요.
  • 바로 질문하셔도 돼요.

What’s the difference among 마, 마요, 말아요, 마세요, and 마라?

• 마: bare casual prohibitive (don’t).
• 마요: casual polite.
• 마세요: polite with honorific imperative ending; most common in polite speech.
• 말아요: also used; feels a bit gentler/softer or old-fashioned; in some contexts it can read like a suggestion (“let’s not”), so 마요/마세요 is clearer as a command.
• 마라: plain style; authoritative or literary/written; can sound stern.

Any pronunciation tips?

• 망설이지 마: roughly “mang-seo-ri-ji ma”
• 바로: “ba-ro”
• 질문해: “jil-mun-hae” Keep the pause after the comma, and put a firm falling tone on each command.

Can I add honorifics with -시-?

Yes:

• 망설이지 마시고 바로 질문하세요. (polite honorific; very common)
• More formal: 망설이지 마시고 바로 질문하십시오. or split into two: 망설이지 마십시오. 바로 질문하십시오.

Is there any difference between 질문하다 and 질문을 하다?

They’re both correct. Many 하다-compound nouns optionally take an object marker:

• 질문하다 (no object marker)
• 질문을 하다 (with object marker) In speech, 질문해 and 질문을 해 are both natural; the version with 을 can sound a touch more explicit or careful.

How can I make the “don’t hesitate” part stronger?

Add intensifiers:

• 절대(로) 망설이지 마, 바로 질문해. (Don’t ever hesitate…)
• Polite: 절대로 망설이지 마시고 바로 질문하세요. “절대로” is emphatic and common in instructions or encouragements.