안녕하세요! Today we’re covering comparisons in Korean — specifically 보다 더 (“more than”) and 보다 덜 (“less than”). Making comparisons is something you do all the time in everyday conversation, so this is a really practical grammar point! This connects to -(으)ㄹ수록 (the more… the more) as well.
더
더 means “more” and 덜 means “less.” Combine them with 보다 (“compared to” or “than”) and you get a clean comparison structure!
Comparisons
When used in comparative sentences, “더” is used to highlight that one thing possesses a greater quantity, quality, or degree compared to another. It is commonly employed with adjectives, verbs, or nouns to indicate a higher level of intensity or superiority in a specific aspect. For example:
- “더 큰” means “bigger” or “larger,” emphasizing that something is of greater size than another.
- “더 잘” translates to “better” or “more skilfully,” indicating that an action is performed to a higher degree or with greater proficiency.
Degree or intensity
In certain contexts, “더” is used to intensify the meaning of an adjective, verb, or adverb, emphasizing the degree or intensity of a particular quality or action. It signifies an increase in the measure or level of something.
- “더 빨리” means “faster,” highlighting that an action is done at a greater speed.
- “더 깊게” translates to “more deeply,” emphasizing a higher level of depth or intensity in a situation or emotion.
Understanding the meaning and usage of “더” allows you to effectively express comparisons and emphasize degrees or intensities in Korean. It adds depth and precision to your language skills, enabling you to communicate with clarity and accuracy. Through practice and exposure to various contexts, you will become adept at incorporating “더” into your conversations and mastering its usage in different grammatical structures.
보다
One of the significant functions of “보다” is to express comparisons between two things or individuals and translates to “than” in English. It indicates that one object or person is being compared to another in terms of a specific quality, attribute, or action. For example:
- “이 책이 저 책보다 비싸요” means “This book is more expensive than that book,” where “보다” signifies the act of comparing the prices of two books.
Conjugation
Noun + 보다 더 + Verb/Adjective/Adverb
- 영국음식보다 더 맛있어요 – It’s more delicious than English food.
- 그 영화보다 더 재미있어요 – It’s more interesting than that movie.
- 친구들보다 더 늦게 도착했어요 – I arrived later than my friends.
- 저는 차보다 커피를 더 좋아해요 – I like coffee more than tea.
Meaning
The basic meaning of “-보다 더” is to indicate a higher degree, quantity, or intensity compared to a previous standard or level. It emphasizes that something surpasses or exceeds another in terms of a specific quality, attribute, or action. By using “-보다 더,” you can convey a sense of increased magnitude or superiority in your statements.
Here are a few more examples to illustrate the basic meaning of “-보다 더”:
- 이 책은 저 책보다 더 비싸요. – This book is more expensive than that book.
- 저는 사라보다 더 키가 커요. – I am taller than Sarah.
- 한국어는 영어보다 더 어려워요. – Korean is more difficult than English.
- 어제보다 더 추워요. – It’s colder than yesterday.
By using “-보다 더,” you can express comparisons with added emphasis and clarity. It allows you to convey the idea that something exceeds or surpasses another in terms of a particular quality, making your statements more precise and descriptive. Understanding and utilizing “-보다 더” will enable you to express comparisons effectively in Korean conversations.
덜
The word “덜” in Korean is an adverb that translates to “less” or “not as much” in English. It is used to indicate a lower degree, quantity, or intensity compared to a previous standard or expectation. “덜” is often employed in comparative statements to express a lack or reduction of something in comparison to another.
Here are some key points to understand about “덜”:
Comparison
“덜” is commonly used in comparative sentences to indicate that something is “less” or “not as much” compared to another. It emphasizes a lower level or degree of a quality, action, or attribute.
- 그 옷은 이 옷보다 덜 비싸요. – Those clothes are less expensive than these ones.
Degree or intensity
“덜” can also express a reduced level of intensity or a lesser degree of something. It implies a deficiency or insufficiency compared to what is expected or desired.
- 그 영화는 덜 재미있었어요. – That movie was less interesting.
Verb modification
“덜” can modify verbs to indicate a diminished action or a lesser extent of an action. It suggests that an action is performed to a lesser degree or with reduced intensity.
By using “덜” in your Korean conversations, you can effectively express comparisons and emphasize a lower degree or quantity of something. It adds nuance to your statements and helps convey a sense of deficiency or reduced intensity. Understanding and incorporating “덜” into your language skills will enable you to communicate more accurately and express comparisons with clarity.
보다 덜
The usage of 보다 덜 is the same as 보다 더, with the difference of it translating to “less than” or “not as much as” in English. It is used to indicate a lower degree, extent, quantity, or intensity when comparing two things. Also explore: (으)ㄹ수록 (The More…The More), 만/그냥 (Only/Just), and 는 만큼 (As Much As).
Examples
- 그 음식은 저 음식보다 보다 덜 매워요. – That food is less spicy than this food.
- 이 책은 저 책보다 덜 두꺼워요. – This book is less thick than that book.
- 이 신발은 그 신발보다 보다 덜 편해요. – These shoes are less comfortable than those shoes.
- 그 주차장은 이 주차장보다 보다 덜 넓어요. – That parking lot is less spacious than this parking lot.
- 이 자동차는 저 자동차보다 보다 덜 빨라요. – This car is less fast than that car.
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