🟠 Comparing and Contrasting in Korean (-보다, -만큼) | Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
Want to say “bigger than,” “less than,” or “as much as” in Korean? This guide walks you through -보다 (“than”) and -만큼 (“as ~ as”) with clean patterns, natural examples (KR · RR · EN), a short dialogue, pitfalls to avoid, and a quick quiz (TOPIK 3–4).
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Comparatives in Korean: -보다 (“than”) & -만큼 (“as ~ as”)
Key takeaways
- -보다 attaches to the standard of comparison: “A가 B보다 (더/덜) ~.”
- -만큼 expresses equal degree/amount: “A가 B만큼 ~.” (not “더”).
- 더/덜 makes degree explicit and sounds natural with -보다.
Concept · Patterns · Examples · Dialogue · Common mistakes · Quiz · FAQ
At the intermediate level (TOPIK 3–4), you’ll compare prices, cities, food, and opinions constantly. Keep it practical and formula-based.
💡 Key Concept: -보다 vs -만큼
-보다 → “than” (attach to the comparison standard)
한국어가 영어보다 더 어려워요.
hangug-eoga yeongeo-boda deo eoryeowoyo. → Korean is harder than English.
-만큼 → “as ~ as / as much as” (works with nouns & verbs)
저는 친구만큼 많이 먹어요.
jeoneun chingu-mankeum mani meogeoyo. → I eat as much as my friend.
🧱 Core Patterns
- A이/가 B보다 (더/덜) + Adjective → A is (more/less) Adj than B
- A이/가 B만큼 + Adjective/Verb → A is as Adj/Verb as B
- Noun + 만큼 + Verb → “as much as Noun” (quantity/degree)
- B만큼 ~지 않다 → “not as ~ as B” (negative equality)
📝 Examples
| 한국어 | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 한국 음식이 일본 음식보다 더 매워요. | hanguk eumsik-i ilbon eumsik-boda deo maewoyo | Korean food is spicier than Japanese food. |
| 이 가방이 저 가방만큼 비싸요. | i gabang-i jeo gabang-mankeum bissayo | This bag is as expensive as that one. |
| 서울이 부산보다 더 커요. | seoul-i busan-boda deo keoyo | Seoul is bigger than Busan. |
| 저는 친구만큼 자주 운동해요. | jeoneun chingu-mankeum jaju undonghaeyo | I exercise as often as my friend. |
| 이 영화는 기대만큼 재미있지 않아요. | i yeonghwan-eun gidae-mankeum jaemi-itji anayo | This movie isn’t as fun as (I) expected. |
| 어제보다 오늘이 덜 추워요. | eoje-boda oneuri deol chuwayo | Today is less cold than yesterday. |
🗣 Practice Dialogue
A: 서울은 부산보다 커요? / Is Seoul bigger than Busan?
B: 네, 서울이 부산보다 커요. 하지만 부산도 서울만큼 재미있어요.
Yes. Seoul is bigger, but Busan is just as fun as Seoul.
🚫 Common mistakes & quick fixes
- -보다 위치: 기준에 붙입니다.
한국어가 영어보다 더 어려워요 (O),
한국어보다가 영어…(X) - -만큼 + “더” (모순):
저 집만큼 더 커요(X) → 저 집보다 더 커요 (O) / 저 집만큼 커요 (동등) - 덜도 활용 : “less” 비교는 A가 B보다 덜 ~.
- 부정 동등: “~만큼 …지 않다” → 그 문제는 생각만큼 어렵지 않아요.
- 처럼 vs 만큼: 처럼은 “like/as (similarity)”, 만큼은 “as much/as ~ as (degree)”. 의미가 다릅니다.
🎯 Pop Quiz
1) How would you say “I run faster than my friend”?
Show answer
저는 친구보다 더 빨리 달려요.
jeoneun chingu-boda deo ppalli dallyeoyo
2) How would you say “I’m not as tall as my brother”?
Show answer
저는 오빠만큼 키가 크지 않아요.
jeoneun oppa-mankeum kiga keuji anayo
❓ FAQ
Do I always need 더/덜 with -보다?
아닙니다. 하지만 정도가 분명해져서 더 자연스럽게 들립니다.
Can -만큼 modify verbs?
네. 저는 친구만큼 자주 운동해요처럼 동사와도 자연스럽습니다.
Where does -보다 attach?
설명 대상이 아니라 비교 기준에 붙입니다.
🎓 Practice with a teacher
Want feedback on your comparison sentences? Practice shopping, reviews, and travel talk so you sound natural.
