🟠 Comparing and Contrasting in Korean (-보다, -만큼) | Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)

Have you ever wanted to compare two things in Korean — like saying “Korean food is spicier than Japanese food” or “This bag is as expensive as that one”? At the intermediate level, these expressions help you sound more natural in daily conversations, shopping, or even writing reviews.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

Use -보다 to express “more than” in comparisons
Use -만큼 to express “as much as” or “as ~ as” statements
Create natural sentences comparing food, cities, prices, or personal preferences
Understand subtle nuances between “more than” and “as much as” in Korean culture

💡 Key Concept: -보다 vs -만큼

-보다 → Used to compare two things and means “than.”
Example: 한국어가 영어보다 어려워요. (Korean is harder than English.)

-만큼 → Used to express equality and means “as much as” or “as ~ as.”
Example: 저는 친구만큼 많이 먹어요. (I eat as much as my friend.)

📝 Example Sentences

한국은 일본보다 커요.
Hanguk-eun Ilbon-boda keoyo.
Korea is bigger than Japan.
이 영화는 책만큼 재미있어요.
I yeonghwa-neun chaek-mankeum jaemiisseoyo.
This movie is as fun as the book.
커피는 물보다 비싸요.
Keopi-neun mul-boda bissayo.
Coffee is more expensive than water.

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 서울은 부산보다 커요?
Seoul-eun Busan-boda keoyo?
Is Seoul bigger than Busan?

B: 네, 서울이 부산보다 커요. 하지만 부산도 서울만큼 재미있어요.
Ne, Seoul-i Busan-boda keoyo. Hajiman Busan-do Seoul-mankeum jaemiisseoyo.
Yes, Seoul is bigger than Busan. But Busan is just as fun as Seoul.

📘 Grammar Insight

When I teach this grammar in class, many students mistakenly attach -보다 to the wrong noun. Attach it to the thing you are comparing from, not the one being described. Also, -만큼 works with both nouns and verbs, so you can say things like: “I study as much as I work,” or “This café is bigger than my office.”

🎯 Pop Quiz

How would you say “I run faster than my friend” in Korean?

Answer

저는 친구보다 빨리 달려요.
Jeoneun chingu-boda ppalli dallyeoyo.

🌏 Did You Know?

Korea is among the highest coffee-consuming countries in Asia — so you’ll often hear comparisons like “커피는 물보다 비싸요” in everyday life!

📦 Final Thoughts

Learning -보다 and -만큼 will instantly boost your conversational skills. Next time you compare food, places, or even weather, try these patterns and notice how natural you sound!

📘 More Posts You’ll Find Helpful!

❶ Making Comparisons in Korean – Intermediate Level

❷ Talking About Food You Like – Beginner Level

❸ How to Commute in Korea (Subway, Buses, and Apps)

❹ Talking About Travel Experiences in Korean – Intermediate Level

❺ Don’t Blow a Fuse! Plug & Electricity Guide for Korea

Keep exploring more posts like these and grow your Korean skills step by step!

📚 Want to practice using -보다 and -만큼 in real conversation?
Book a lesson with me on italki and get personalized feedback on your sentences. Let’s make your comparisons sound natural!