-치고
For, Considering
-치고 is attached to a noun to mean "for a [noun]" or "considering [noun]". It introduces a general characteristic or expectation for that noun's category, which is often contrasted or confirmed in the following clause.
How It Works
-치고 is a particle that attaches directly to nouns. It has two main, closely related meanings:
1. Making a Generalization (No Exceptions)
This usage establishes a rule that applies to every member of the category mentioned. It's frequently used in patterns like:
- Noun + -치고 + ...는/은 없다: "For a [Noun], there is none that..."
- Noun + -치고 + 다/모두 ...: "For a [Noun], all of them..."
This form emphasizes that there are no exceptions within the group.
e.g., 한국 사람치고 김치를 안 좋아하는 사람은 없다. (For a Korean, there is no one who doesn't like kimchi.)
2. Considering the Standard (Exception or Evaluation)
This usage means "considering it's a [Noun]" or "for a [Noun]". It evaluates a specific case against the general standard for that category. The outcome is often surprising or noteworthy.
- It is often followed by the topic particle -는 for emphasis, becoming -치고는.
e.g., 아이치고는 키가 아주 크다. (For a child, he is very tall.)
This implies that compared to the average child, this specific child is exceptionally tall.
In summary, -치고 always relates to the expectations associated with a noun category, either to state a universal rule or to point out how a specific instance measures up to that rule.
Compare -에 비해서:
-에 비해서 draws a direct comparison between two things. -치고 is different: it measures something against the general standard of its own category, usually to point out an exception to it.
Examples (5)
- 봄치고 날씨가 꽤 쌀쌀하네요.
For spring, the weather is quite chilly.
Word by Word: For spring, the weather is quite chilly.
This expresses that the current weather is colder than what is generally expected for springtime.
- 외국인치고 한국말을 정말 잘하시네요.
Considering you're a foreigner, you speak Korean really well.
Word by Word: For a foreigner, Korean you speak really well.
This evaluates the person's Korean skill against the general expectation for a foreigner, noting it as exceptionally good.
- 운동선수치고는 몸이 약한 편이에요.
For an athlete, he is on the weaker side.
Word by Word: For an athlete, body is weak side.
Here, -치고는 is used to point out an exception. The general expectation for an athlete is to be strong, but this person is not.
- 부자치고 돈을 안 아끼는 사람이 없다.
Among rich people, there is no one who isn't frugal with money.
Word by Word: For a rich person, money not-saving person does not exist.
This is a generalization stating that all members of the category 'rich people' have the characteristic of being frugal.
- 처음 만든 것치고는 맛이 괜찮은데요.
Considering it's the first time you've made it, it tastes pretty good.
Word by Word: First time made thing-for, taste is okay.
The noun here is '처음 만든 것' (the thing made for the first time). The taste is being evaluated as better than expected for a first attempt.
Common Mistakes
Attaching -치고 to verbs or adjectives instead of nouns.
Not Quite싸다치고 품질이 좋아요.Better싼 것치고 품질이 좋아요.-치고 is a particle that must be attached to a noun. To use it with an adjective like 싸다 (to be cheap), you must first turn it into a noun phrase using a noun modifier, like '싼 것' (a cheap thing).
Confusing the nuance with -에 비해서 (compared to).
Not Quite겨울에 비해서 날씨가 따뜻해요. (Grammatically correct, but different nuance)Better겨울치고 날씨가 따뜻해요.While both can be used for comparison, -에 비해서 makes a direct comparison (e.g., 'compared to winter in general'). -치고 evaluates a specific instance against the standard of its category ('for a winter day, this one is warm'). -치고 often implies a slight surprise or highlights an exception.
Related Patterns
- -는 편이다Tend to, Rather
Both patterns make generalizations. However, -치고 often makes a strong, universal statement (e.g., 'all X are Y'), while -는 편이다 expresses a softer tendency ('X tends to be Y').
- -답다Like, Befitting
These are conceptually opposite. -답다 means something perfectly embodies the expected qualities of a noun (e.g., 학생답다 - to be like a model student). -치고 is often used to point out when something doesn't meet the typical expectation (e.g., 학생치고 공부를 안 한다 - for a student, he doesn't study).
- 은/는Topic Marker
The topic marker 은/는 is frequently added to -치고 to form -치고는. This adds emphasis and clarifies that the following statement is an evaluation or comment specifically about the topic at hand, considering its category.