-대로
As, According to
-대로 is a particle that means 'as' or 'according to'. It follows a noun or a verb to show that an action is done in the way specified.
How It Works
-대로 is a versatile particle that indicates an action or state follows the standard, instruction, or condition set by the preceding word.
It has three primary usages:
1. Noun + 대로 (According to / As it is)
Attached directly to a noun, it means an action follows a rule, plan, or existing state. It's often used with nouns like 계획 (plan), 법 (law), 순서 (order), or in set phrases.
- 계획대로 진행해 주세요. (Please proceed according to the plan.)
- 마음대로 하세요. (Do as you please / as your heart desires.)
2. Verb + -(으)ㄴ/는 대로 (As / The way that...)
When attached to a verb's noun-modifying form (-(으)ㄴ for past/completed actions, -는 for present actions), it means 'in the same way as the action described'.
- 제가 본 대로 말씀드릴게요. (I'll tell you as I saw it.)
- 아는 대로 대답하면 돼요. (You can just answer as you know it.)
3. Verb + -는 대로 (As soon as)
This specific construction, using the present tense modifier -는, means 'as soon as' or 'immediately after'. It indicates that the second action happens right after the first one is completed.
- 집에 도착하는 대로 전화할게요. (I'll call you as soon as I arrive home.)
- 정보를 받는 대로 알려드리겠습니다. (I will let you know as soon as I receive the information.)
Examples (5)
- 모든 것이 계획대로 잘 되고 있어요.
Everything is going well according to the plan.
Word by Word: Everything plan-according-to well is going.
This shows the most basic usage: Noun + 대로.
- 네가 말한 대로 했어.
I did it as you said.
Word by Word: You said-as I did.
Here, -대로 follows the past tense noun-modifying form of 말하다 (to say), 말한, to mean 'according to what you said'.
- 아는 대로 대답해 보세요.
Please answer based on what you know.
Word by Word: Knowing-as answer please try.
This uses the present tense noun-modifying form of 알다 (to know), 아는, to mean 'as you know it'.
- 있는 그대로의 모습을 사랑해 주세요.
Please love me for who I am (literally, 'as I am').
Word by Word: Existing as-it-is's appearance please love.
있는 그대로 is a very common set phrase meaning 'as it is' or 'the way something is'.
- 수업이 끝나는 대로 바로 갈게요.
I'll go right away as soon as the class ends.
Word by Word: Class ends-as-soon-as right away I will go.
This example shows the usage with a verb stem + -는, which changes the meaning to 'as soon as'.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -대로 (according to) with -처럼 (like/resembling).
Different Meaning선생님처럼 하세요.Better선생님 말씀대로 하세요.While both can be translated as 'as', they have different nuances. '선생님처럼 하세요' means 'Do it like the teacher does' (imitate their actions or style). '선생님 말씀대로 하세요' means 'Do it according to what the teacher said' (follow their instructions). Use -처럼/같이 for resemblance and -대로 for following a standard or instruction.
Related Patterns
- -처럼/같이Like
Both can mean 'as' or 'like', but -처럼/같이 indicates resemblance or similarity (e.g., 'like a fool'), while -대로 indicates following a specific standard, instruction, or state (e.g., 'according to the law').
- -에 따라(서)According to, Depending on
-에 따라(서) is very similar to -대로 when meaning 'according to'. However, -에 따라(서) is often used in more formal contexts or when referring to rules, results, or changing conditions (e.g., 'according to the research').
- -자마자As Soon as
-자마자 is a direct synonym for the '-는 대로' construction, both meaning 'as soon as'. They are often interchangeable. For example, '도착하는 대로' and '도착하자마자' both mean 'as soon as I arrive'.
- -ㄴ/은Adjective Noun Modifier
The -ㄴ/은 noun-modifying form is used with past or completed actions to form V-(으)ㄴ 대로, meaning 'as it was done' or 'according to what was done' (e.g., 들은 대로 - as I heard).
- -는/ㄹVerb Noun Modifier
The -는 noun-modifying form is essential for two of -대로's most common usages: V-는 대로 ('as soon as') and V-는 대로 ('as one does').