Lesson 25 - Comparing things with -보다

Hey everyone! 

We’re back with another grammar post, and today it’s all about comparing things in Korean. How do we make comparisons in Korean? Well, it’s easy. All you need to do is put the pattern 보다 between two nouns.  

(We could classify it under the particles section, as it is attached to nouns –but you won’t find it described as such in grammar books. I will just list it in the group) 

Note that this pattern has nothing to deal with the verb 보다 which means to see, to watch. When using the comparative, you will always have to attach it to the second noun of the two you’re comparing.  

I know I said it’s a pretty easy grammar point, but it can still confuse you, so let me try and explain it to you as simply as possible:  

Let’s say you want to compare strawberries and cherries and you want to say which one is sweeter than the other. In this case, the first noun of the sentence will be the one you prefer, whereas the second noun will be the one you like less.  

Which of the two will be attached to the pattern, then? It will be the second noun. Why? Because this pattern expresses the meaning of more than. So, if you want to say ‘I like strawberries more than cherries’, the pattern 보다 will be attached to the noun cherries. What do we attach to the first noun, then? With this pattern, the first noun will be attached to the subject particles 이 or 가 (if you don’t remember them, check here). 

The sentence would then be 딸기가 체리보다 달콤해요 which translates into ‘strawberries are sweeter than cherries’. Let's look at some examples: 

내가 내 여동생보다 똑똑해요 

I'm smarter than my younger sister 

내 아버지가 내가 아는 다른 사람보다 고집이 세요 

My father is more stubborn than anyone I know 

내 강아지가 네 고양이보다 귀여워요 

My dog is cuter than your cat 

내 사촌의 키가 내 어머니의 키보다 커요 

My cousin is taller than my mother 

You can also add some adverbs to emphasize the whole sentence. The adverbs I refer to are 더 and 훨씬. They both can be translated into more. Let's look at some examples: 

네가 그녀보다 훨씬 예뻐요 

You're much prettier than her 

이 체육관이 다른 곳보다 더 옵션을 보유하고 있어요 

This gym has more options than any other place 

오늘은 기분이 어제보다 훨씬 나아요 

Today I feel much better than yesterday 

임대료에 다른 것들보다 더 많이 써요 

I spend more on rent than on anything else 

You can also use the topic marker instead of the subject particle with the first noun. Let's look at some examples: 

물가는 전전보다 훨씬 올라 있어요 

Prices are way higher than before 

네가 나이보다 더 젊어 보여요. 

You look younger than your age 

나는 약속 시간보다 훨씬 일찍 왔어요 

I came much earlier than the appointment time 

암은 감기보다 더 위험해요 

Cancer is more dangerous than a cold 

VOCABS SET ON QUIZLET: 1

KPOPOLOGY WEBSITE: Home, KPOPOLOGY Explains 

DROPBOX FILES: Main folder,  Lesson 25 Practice

I will see you next time with another grammar post!

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