-에 비해서: Compared to/in comparison


안녕하세요!🌟

Today, we’re diving deep into the art of comparing things… Korean-style! Ever wondered how to say something is “in comparison to” in Korean? Well, fret not, because today is all about those moments with our shining star: “에 비해서”!

I mean, come on, life is all about comparisons, right? Like deciding whether kimchi is spicier than your last relationship or if K-pop is more addictive than coffee (spoiler: it probably is 😜). So, strap in and prepare to elevate your comparative Korean game to epic proportions! Let’s get this party started! 🎈🎉

Conjugation

NOUN + 에 비해서

  • 동불 + 에 비해서 –> 동불에 비해서 (compared to animals)
  • 돈 + 에 비해서 –> 돈에 비해서 (compared to money)
  • 가격 + 에 비해서 –> 가격에 비해서 (compared to price)
  • 한국 + 에 비해서 –> 한국에 비해서 (compared to Korea)

Understanding 에 비해서

“에 비해서” is a comparative expression in Korean that is analogous to “compared to” or “in comparison with” in English. This structure is used to compare two entities in various contexts. Let’s break it down for better comprehension:

Literal Meaning:

  • 에 (e): a particle that indicates direction or target. In this context, it’s pointing towards what we are comparing to.
  • 비하다 (bi-hada): a verb that means “to compare”.
  • 서 (seo): a particle which in this context functions similarly to the English “-ing” in the verb “comparing”.

The Role of “에 비해서” in Comparative Sentences:

“에 비해서” stands between two entities being compared. The first entity (what you are talking about) comes before “에 비해서” and the second entity (what you are comparing to) comes after.

For instance, if you are comparing the busyness of Seoul to Busan, you might say:

“서울은 부산에 비해서 더 더워요.” (Seoul is hotter compared to Busan.)

Different Contexts:

  • Physical Comparison: Size, colour, weight, height, etc.
    • Example: 이 코트는 저 코트에 비해서 더 길어요. (This coat is longer compared to that coat.)
  • Qualitative Comparison: Taste, difficulty, importance, etc.
    • Example: 이 문제는 그 문제에 비해서 더 어려워요. (This problem is more difficult compared to that problem.)
  • Situational Comparison: Situations or states of being.
    • Example: 여름에 비해서 겨울이 더 추워요. (Winter is colder compared to summer.)
  • Temporal Comparison: Comparing durations or times.
    • Example: 어제에 비해서 오늘은 더 바빠요. (Today is busier compared to yesterday.)
  • Emotional Comparison: Levels of happiness, sadness, excitement, etc.
    • Example: 어릴 때에 비해서 지금이 더 행복해요. (I am happier now compared to when I was young.)

Using “에 비해서” is a structured way of emphasizing differences, whether they are stark or subtle, between two entities. This comparative structure helps in painting a clearer picture, making conversations more descriptive and detailed.

Sample sentences

  • 서울은 부산에 비해서 더 붐벼요.
    • 서울 (Seoul): The subject of comparison.
    • 부산에 비해서 (compared to Busan): The reference point of comparison.
    • 더 붐벼요 (crowded): The resultant observation.
    • Translation: Seoul is more crowded compared to Busan.
  • 빨간 와인은 하얀 와인에 비해서 더 진해요.
    • 빨간 와인 (Red wine): Subject.
    • 하얀 와인에 비해서 (compared to white wine): Reference.
    • 더 진해요 (richer/darker): Observation.
    • Translation: Red wine is richer compared to white wine.
  • 어릴 때에 비해서 지금은 더 자주 운동해요.
    • 어릴 때 (When I was young): Subject.
    • 지금에 비해서 (compared to now): Reference.
    • 더 자주 운동해요 (exercise more often): Observation.
    • Translation: I exercise more often now compared to when I was young.
  • 이 음식은 저 음식에 비해서 덜 짜요.
    • 이 음식 (This food): Subject.
    • 저 음식에 비해서 (compared to that food): Reference.
    • 덜 짜요 (less salty): Observation.
    • Translation: This food is less salty compared to that food.
  • 한국어는 영어에 비해서 발음이 어려워요.
    • 한국어 (Korean): Subject.
    • 영어에 비해서 (compared to English): Reference.
    • 발음이 어려워요 (pronunciation is difficult): Observation.
    • Translation: Korean pronunciation is difficult compared to English.
  • 겨울에는 여름에 비해서 낮이 짧아요.
    • 겨울 (Winter): Subject.
    • 여름에 비해서 (compared to summer): Reference.
    • 낮이 짧아요 (day is short): Observation.
    • Translation: In winter, the day is shorter compared to summer.
  • 피자는 햄버거에 비해서 칼로리가 높아요.
    • 피자 (Pizza): Subject.
    • 햄버거에 비해서 (compared to hamburger): Reference.
    • 칼로리가 높아요 (higher in calories): Observation.
    • Translation: Pizza has higher calories compared to a hamburger.
  • 내년에는 올해에 비해서 여행을 더 많이 할 거예요.
    • 내년 (Next year): Subject.
    • 올해에 비해서 (compared to this year): Reference.
    • 여행을 더 많이 할 거예요 (will travel more): Observation.
    • Translation: Next year, I will travel more compared to this year.
  • 고양이는 개에 비해서 독립적이에요.
    • 고양이 (Cats): Subject.
    • 개에 비해서 (compared to dogs): Reference.
    • 독립적이에요 (are independent): Observation.
    • Translation: Cats are more independent compared to dogs.
  • 오후에는 아침에 비해서 날씨가 따뜻해요.
    • 오후 (Afternoon): Subject.
    • 아침에 비해서 (compared to the morning): Reference.
    • 날씨가 따뜻해요 (the weather is warm): Observation.
    • Translation: The weather in the afternoon is warmer compared to the morning.

These sentences offer a broad spectrum of usage, from daily life scenarios to more nuanced observations. “에 비해서” is an indispensable tool when making comparisons, helping to highlight differences or similarities between two entities.

Activity 1

Fill in the gaps.

  1. 사과는 _______________ 달아요. – Apples are sweeter compared to tomatoes.
  2. 겨울에는 _______________ 춥다. – Winter is colder compared to summer.
  3. 수영은 _______________ 쉬워요. – Swimming is easier compared to running.
  4. 오후에는 _______________ 바빠요. – I am busier in the afternoon compared to the morning.
  5. 커피는 _______________ 카페인이 많아요. – Coffee has more caffeine compared to the tea.

Activity 2

Translate the below sentences to Korean.

  1. America is bigger compared to Korea.
  2. This book is more interesting compared to that one.
  3. This computer is faster compared to that computer.

Activity 1 Answers

  1. 사과는 토마토에 비해서 달아요. – Apples are sweeter compared to tomatoes.
  2. 겨울에는 여름에 비해서 춥다. – Winter is colder compared to summer.
  3. 수영은 달리기에 비해서 쉬워요. – Swimming is easier compared to running.
  4. 오후에는 오전에 비해서 바빠요. – I am busier in the afternoon compared to the morning.
  5. 커피는 차에 비해서 카페인이 많아요. – Coffee has more caffeine compared to the tea.

Activity 2 Answers

  1. America is bigger compared to Korea. – 미국은 한국에 비해서 커요.
  2. This book is more interesting compared to that one. – 이 책은 그 책에 비해서 재미있어요.
  3. This computer is faster compared to that computer. – 이 컴퓨터는 그 컴퓨터에 비해서 빨라요.

Wrap up

Well, folks, that wraps up our crash course on “에 비해서”! 🎉 By now, you should be comparing apples to oranges… or should I say, kimchi to bulgogi, like a pro! Remember, life’s all about perspective. And with “에 비해서”, you’re now equipped to share those perspectives in Korean. Until next time, may your comparisons be ever in your favour and your Korean get even more fabulous! 화이팅! 🚀

Sonia

My name is Sonia and I have been watching Kdramas and learning the Korean Language since 2009 and still haven't gotten bored of it at all! At first, I fell in love with the dramas but soon enough I fell in love with Korean language and Korean culture.

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