다기보다: Rather than, I wouldn’t say

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Hey there, amazing SKAPETOKOREA students! Or should I call you the curious linguists of Korean wonders? 🧐 Today, we’re diving deep into a phrase that might seem like a bit of a tongue-twister at first – “다기보다”. But fear not, by the end of this lesson, you’ll be tossing it around like a pro and impressing all your friends with your ever-growing Korean skills.

Now, I know you might be wondering… what’s with the party theme? Well, because every bit of learning here is a celebration! 🥳 And today’s star? It’s “다기보다”. So grab your party hats, your notebooks, and let’s unwrap the gift of understanding this unique structure. Onwards to knowledge! 🚀📚

Conjugation

ACTION VERB + ㄴ/는다기보다

  1. Take a verb i.e. 가다
  2. Drop 다
  3. Add the appropriate ending based on the rules below (in this case it becomes 간다기보다)
  • If the verb ends in a vowel, add ㄴ다기보다
  • If the verb ends in a consonant, add 는다기보다
  • 먹다 –> 먹 + 는다기보다 –> 먹는다기보다
  • 보다 –> 보 + ㄴ다기보다 –> 본다기보다
  • 사다 –> 사 + ㄴ다기보다 –> 산다기보다
  • 하다다 –> 하 + ㄴ다기보다 –> 한다기보다

DESCRIPTIVE VERB + 다기보다

  1. Take a verb i.e. 좋다
  2. Drop 다 i.e. 좋
  3. Add 다기보다 i.e. 좋다기보다
  • 예쁘다 –> 예쁘 + 다기보다 –> 예쁘다기보다
  • 바쁘다 –> 바쁘 + 다기보다 –> 바쁘다기보다
  • 무섭다 –> 무섭 + 다기보다 –> 부섭다기보다
  • 작다 –> 작 + 다기보다 –> 작다기보다

Noun + (이)라기보다

  • If the noun ends in a vowel, add 라기보다
  • If the noun ends in a consonant, add 이라기보다
  • 사람 –> 사람 + 이라기보다 –> 사람이라기보다
  • 사진 –> 사진 + 이라기보다 –> 사진이라기보다
  • 사과 –> 사과 + 라기보다 –> 사과라기보다
  • 학교 –> 학교 + 라기보다 –> 학교라기보다

Understanding the meaning of -다기보다

At its core, “다기보다” translates to “rather than” or “compared to” in English. It’s used to make comparisons or state a preference. The phrase essentially draws a contrast between two things or situations.

Structure

다 (Quotation marker)

  • 다: is utilized as a quotation marker to show that someone’s words, thoughts, or actions are being reported.

기 (Noun Modifier)

  • 기: This morpheme turns the verb or adjective into a nominal form, essentially transforming it into a noun. By adding “기” to a verb or adjective stem, you can use that action or description as a subject, object, or topic in a sentence.

Example:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹기 (eating)
  • 자다 (to sleep) → 자기 (sleeping)

보다 (Comparative Marker)

  • 보다: As a postposition, “보다” is used to create comparisons. Its function here is to compare the nounified verb or adjective (thanks to the “기” suffix) to another action or description. It can be translated to “than” in English.

Example:

  • 먹기보다 (than eating)
  • 자기보다 (than sleeping)

Putting it all together:

When you combine these elements, the “다기보다” structure would literally translate to ‘rather than saying’ + VERB in the noun form.

Example:

  • 똑똑하다기보다 열심히 공부했어요.

This sentence can be translated different ways.

  • Rather than saying I am smart, I studied diligently.
  • I wouldn’t say it’s being smart, I studied diligently.
  • 잘 생겼다기보다 매력이 있어요.
  • Rather than saying he is handsome, I would say he has his own charm.
  • I wouldn’t say he is handsome, but he has his own charm.
  • 서울이 제 고향이라기보다 제일 오래 살았던 곳이에요.
  • Rather than saying Seoul is my hometown, I lived there the longest.
  • I wouldn’t say Seoul is my hometown but I lived there the longest.
  • 시간이 부족한다기보다 하고 싶은 일이 많아요.
  • Rather than saying there is not enough time, I have a lot of things I want to do.
  • I wouldn’t say there is not enough time, but I have a lot of things I want to do.

Past tense

VERB STEM + -았/었/였다기보다

  1. Take a verb i.e. 가다
  2. Drop “다” i.e. 가
  3. Add appropriate ending based on the below rules i.e. 갔다기보다
  • If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 았다기보다.
  • If the last vowel is not one of the above, add 었다기보다.
  • Only 하 is followed by 였다기보다 and becomes 했다기보다 (always the case).
  • 먹다 –> 먹 + 었다기보다 –> 먹었다기보다
  • 사다 –> 사 + 았다기보다 –> 샀다기보다
  • 주다 –> 주 + 었다기보다 –> 줬다기보다
  • 보다 –> 보 + 았다기보다 –> 봤다기보다
  • 좋다 –> 좋 + 았다기보다 –> 좋았다기보다
  • 있다 –> 있 + 었다기보다 –> 있었다기보다

Examples

  • 어렵다기보다 재미없어요. – Rather than being difficult, it’s boring.
  • 남자친구라기보다 그냥 좋은 친구예요. – Rather than being my boyfriend, he is just a good friend.
  • 한국음식이 싫다기보다 너무 매워서 잘 못 먹어요. – I wouldn’t say I hate Korean food but it’s so spicy I cannot eat it well.
  • 거기 있었다기보다 얘기 많이 들었어요. – Rather than being there I heard a lot.

Activity 1

Fill in the blanks.

  1. 열심히 ______________ 그냥 운이 좋았어요. – I wouldn’t say I worked hard, I was just lucky.
  2. 꼭 ______________ 그냥 사고 싶었어요. – I wouldn’t say I really need it, I just wanted to buy it.
  3. 너무 ______________ 버리기 너무 아까웠어요. – I wouldn’t say it was so delicious, it was just a waste to throw away.
  4. 다 ______________ 생각을 안 하려고 해요. – I wouldn’t say I forgot about it all, I just try not to think about it.
  5. 사람들을 ______________ 그냥 조금 조심스러워요. – I wouldn’t say I don’t trust people, I am just being a little cautious.

Activity 1 Answers

  1. 열심히 노력한다기보다 그냥 운이 좋았어요. – I wouldn’t say I worked hard, I was just lucky.
  2. 꼭 필요한다기보다 그냥 사고 싶었어요. – I wouldn’t say I really need it, I just wanted to buy it.
  3. 너무 맛있었다기보다 버리기 너무 아까웠어요. – I wouldn’t say it was so delicious, it was just a waste to throw away.
  4. 다 잊었다기보다 생각을 안 하려고 해요. – I wouldn’t say I forgot about it all, I just try not to think about it.
  5. 사람들을 안 믿는다기보다 그냥 조금 조심스러워요. – I wouldn’t say I don’t trust people, I am just being a little cautious.

Wrap up

And there we have it, folks! We’ve navigated the intricate waters of “ㄴ/는다기보다” and emerged, hopefully, with a clearer understanding. This construct is a brilliant testament to the depth and nuance of the Korean language. By using it, you’re not just conveying a message, but also sharing a bit more about your preferences and perceptions.

Remember, like any other grammar point, the key to mastering “ㄴ/는다기보다” is consistent practice and real-life application. So, the next time you’re chatting in Korean, slide in a sentence using our star construct of the day. Surprise your language partner and, more importantly, yourself!

Thanks for joining us on this linguistic ride. Stay tuned for more lessons and until then, keep those Korean fires burning! 화이팅! ✨

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