-보다
More than
Use -보다 to compare two things. Attach it to the noun you are comparing against. For example, 'A is bigger than B' is 'A는 B보다 커요'.
How It Works
The particle -보다 is essential for making comparisons in Korean. It translates to 'more than' or 'compared to'.
How to Use:
Attach -보다 directly to the noun that is the standard of comparison. There is no space, and it doesn't change based on whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Sentence Structure:
The most common structure is:
In this structure, 'Noun 1' is being compared to 'Noun 2'.
For example:
- 사과가 바나나보다 비싸요. (Apples are more expensive than bananas.)
- 한국어가 영어보다 어려워요. (Korean is more difficult than English.)
Using '더' (more):
The word '더' (more) is often used with -보다 to add emphasis, but it's optional. The meaning is clear even without it.
- 오늘은 어제보다 더 추워요. (Today is more cold than yesterday.)
- 강아지가 고양이보다 더 빨리 달려요. (A dog runs faster than a cat.)
Examples (4)
- 코끼리가 쥐보다 커요.
An elephant is bigger than a mouse.
Word by Word: elephant (subject) mouse than is big.
- 수박이 사과보다 더 비싸요.
Watermelon is more expensive than apples.
Word by Word: watermelon (subject) apple than more is expensive.
- 저는 동생보다 책을 많이 읽어요.
I read more books than my younger sibling.
Word by Word: I (topic) younger sibling than books a lot read.
- 오늘은 어제보다 날씨가 좋아요.
The weather is better today than yesterday.
Word by Word: today (topic) yesterday than weather (subject) is good.
Common Mistakes
Attaching -보다 to the wrong noun.
Different Meaning코끼리보다 쥐가 커요.Better코끼리가 쥐보다 커요.-보다 should be attached to the noun being used as the standard for comparison. To say 'an elephant is bigger than a mouse,' you compare the elephant to the mouse. Therefore, -보다 attaches to '쥐' (mouse).
Using the object particle 을/를 instead of a subject/topic marker for the main item.
Not Quite수박을 사과보다 비싸요.Better수박이 사과보다 비싸요.When describing a quality (like 'expensive'), the item being described (수박) is the subject of the sentence. You should use a subject marker like 이/가 or a topic marker like 은/는, not the object marker 을/를.
Related Patterns
- 은/는Topic Marker
The topic marker 은/는 is often used on the first noun in a comparative sentence to establish it as the topic being discussed and compared.
- 이/가Subject Marker
The subject marker 이/가 is also used on the first noun to identify it as the subject of the comparison, often when introducing new information.
- -처럼/같이Like
While -보다 expresses difference ('more than'), 처럼/같이 expresses similarity ('like' or 'as'). Both are particles used to relate two nouns.
- Adjective conjugation
Comparative sentences with -보다 almost always end with a descriptive verb (adjective) like 'big', 'small', 'fast', or 'expensive'. Knowing how to conjugate adjectives is essential for using this pattern.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.