-(으)ㄹ 정도로
To the Extent That
Use -ㄹ/을 정도로 to describe how extreme an action or state is by giving a comparable situation. It translates to 'to the extent that' or 'so... that...'.
How It Works
This pattern is used to express the degree or extent of a state or action in the main clause by providing an example in the preceding clause to which it is attached. It emphasizes the intensity of the situation, often in a vivid or even exaggerated way.
Conjugation:
1. Verb/Adjective stem ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Stem + -ㄹ 정도로
• 보다 → 볼 정도로 (to the extent that one sees)
• 살다 → 살 정도로 (to the extent that one lives)
• 아프다 → 아플 정도로 (to the extent that it hurts)
2. Verb/Adjective stem ending in a consonant: Stem + -을 정도로
• 먹다 → 먹을 정도로 (to the extent that one eats)
• 좋다 → 좋을 정도로 (to the extent that it's good)
Usage Nuances:
While similar to -만큼 (as much as), -ㄹ 정도로 often implies a resulting state or a more illustrative, sometimes hyperbolic, comparison. -만큼 can feel like a more direct, one-to-one comparison of quantity or level.
- -ㄹ 정도로: 어제는 죽을 정도로 아팠어요. (Yesterday, I was sick to the point of dying.) -> Emphasizes the extreme feeling of being sick.
- -만큼: 저는 형만큼 키가 커요. (I am as tall as my older brother.) -> A direct comparison of height.
This pattern is frequently used with expressions like -ㄹ 수 없을 정도로 (to the extent that one cannot...) to emphasize an extreme state.
Examples (5)
- 어제는 눈물이 날 정도로 웃었어요.
Yesterday, I laughed to the point that tears came out.
Word by Word: Yesterday tears come out to the extent that laughed.
- 그 배우는 믿을 수 없을 정도로 연기를 잘해요.
That actor is so good at acting that it's unbelievable.
Word by Word: That actor unbelievable to the extent that acts well.
This uses the common structure '믿을 수 없을 정도로' (to an unbelievable extent) to emphasize the actor's skill.
- 손가락 하나 까딱할 수 없을 정도로 피곤했어요.
I was tired to the extent that I couldn't even lift a finger.
Word by Word: Finger one move cannot to the extent that was tired.
This is a classic example of using an exaggeration (not being able to lift a finger) to describe the extreme degree of tiredness.
- 옆집 공사 소리가 귀가 아플 정도로 컸어요.
The construction noise from next door was loud to the point that my ears hurt.
Word by Word: Next door construction noise ears hurt to the extent that was loud.
- 그 책은 밤을 새울 정도로 재미있었다.
The book was so interesting that I stayed up all night reading it.
Word by Word: That book the night stay up to the extent that was interesting.
Common Mistakes
Using a past tense modifier before 정도로.
Different Meaning눈물이 났을 정도로 웃었어요.Better눈물이 날 정도로 웃었어요.The grammar pattern requires the future/potential modifier form -ㄹ/을. The tense of the entire sentence is determined by the final verb (웃었어요), not the verb within the -ㄹ 정도로 clause.
Confusing it with a simple reason.
Different Meaning귀가 아플 정도로 시끄러웠기 때문에 공부를 못했다.Better귀가 아플 정도로 시끄러워서 공부를 못했다.While there is a cause-and-effect relationship, -ㄹ 정도로 itself describes the degree of 'loudness'. To connect this fact as a reason for not being able to study, a connective like -아/어서 is more natural. The incorrect example is grammatically possible but sounds redundant and awkward.
Learn This First
To express degree 'to the extent that', you need degree patterns and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -만큼As Much as, To the Extent
Both express 'to the extent of'. However, -만큼 is often used for more direct, literal comparisons of quantity or level, while -ㄹ 정도로 is often more illustrative, describing a resulting state, and can be used more hyperbolically.
- -듯이As if, Like
-듯이 means 'as if' or 'like', and it compares the manner in which something is done. -ㄹ 정도로 compares the degree or intensity of an action or state. For example, '물 쓰듯이 돈을 쓴다' (spends money as if it were water) vs. '빚을 질 정도로 돈을 쓴다' (spends money to the extent of going into debt).
- -는/ㄹVerb Noun Modifier
This is the future/potential noun modifying form, which is the grammatical foundation of -ㄹ 정도로. Understanding how to form -ㄹ/을 is essential for using this pattern correctly.
- -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다Almost Did
Means 'almost did'. It's often used in combination with -ㄹ 정도로 to describe a situation that was so extreme it almost caused a certain result. For example, '넘어질 뻔할 정도로 바람이 세게 불었다.' (The wind blew so strongly that I almost fell.)
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다Can/cannot
Means 'can/cannot'. This is frequently combined with -ㄹ 정도로 to form the very common expression '-ㄹ 수 없을 정도로' (to the extent that one cannot...), which is a powerful way to emphasize an extreme degree.