-만큼
As Much as, To the Extent
-만큼 is a particle that means 'as much as' or 'to the extent of'. It's used to show that two things are equal in amount, degree, or value.
How It Works
-만큼 is a versatile particle used for comparisons of equality and degree. Its usage can be broken down into two main categories:
1. Noun + 만큼
This is the most basic form. It attaches directly to a noun to indicate that something is equal to that noun in size, amount, or degree.
- 학생만큼 (as much as a student)
- 하늘만큼 (as much as the sky)
2. Verb/Adjective Clause + 만큼
When used with verbs or adjectives, it indicates the extent or degree of an action or state. It follows the standard noun-modifying rules.
- Adjectives: Adjective stem + -(으)ㄴ 만큼
- 예쁘다 → 예쁜 만큼 (to the extent that she is pretty) - Verbs (Present): Verb stem + -는 만큼
- 노력하다 → 노력하는 만큼 (to the extent that one tries) - Verbs (Past): Verb stem + -(으)ㄴ/던 만큼
- 먹다 → 먹은 만큼 (as much as one ate)
- 기대하다 → 기대했던 만큼 (as much as one had expected)
- 던 is used to recall or look back on a past action or state. - Verbs (Future/Conjecture): Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 만큼
- 놀다 → 놀 만큼 (enough to play)
This structure often implies a cause-and-effect relationship: 'Because you did X amount, Y result happened'.
Examples (5)
- 저도 형만큼 키가 크고 싶어요.
I want to be as tall as my older brother, too.
Word by Word: I also older brother as much as height is tall want to be.
Here, 만큼 is attached to the noun 형 (older brother) to make a direct comparison of height.
- 노력하는 만큼 좋은 결과가 있을 거예요.
There will be good results to the extent that you put in effort.
Word by Word: Effort doing as much as good results will exist.
This shows the relationship between effort and results. The amount of good results is proportional to the amount of effort.
- 먹은 만큼 돈을 내야 해요.
You have to pay for as much as you ate.
Word by Word: Ate as much as money have to pay.
The past tense modifier -은 is used with 먹다 (to eat) to indicate the amount that was already eaten.
- 필요한 만큼만 가져가세요.
Please take only as much as you need.
Word by Word: Necessary as much as only please take.
필요하다 is a descriptive verb (adjective). The -ㄴ modifier is used to create '필요한 만큼' (the amount that is necessary).
- 이 영화는 기대했던 만큼 재미있지는 않았어요.
This movie wasn't as fun as I had expected.
Word by Word: This movie expected as much as fun was not.
This example uses the past retrospective modifier -던 to compare the actual fun of the movie to the level of prior expectation.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -만큼 with -처럼 (like).
Different Meaning그는 모델만큼 걸어요.Better그는 모델처럼 걸어요.-만큼 refers to quantity or degree ('as much as'), while -처럼 refers to similarity in appearance or manner ('like'). The incorrect sentence implies 'He walks the same amount as a model', whereas the correct sentence means 'He walks in the same style as a model'.
Using the wrong verb ending before -만큼.
Not Quite어제 공부하다 만큼 시험을 잘 봤어요.Better어제 공부한 만큼 시험을 잘 봤어요.When a verb precedes -만큼, it must be in a noun-modifying form. For a past action, use the -(으)ㄴ form, not the dictionary form.
Learn This First
To use 만큼 with verbs, you need to understand modifier forms for creating clauses.
Related Patterns
- -처럼/같이Like
Both are used for comparisons. However, -만큼 compares quantity or degree ('as much as'), while -처럼/같이 compares appearance or manner ('like').
- -(으)ㄹ 정도로To the Extent That
This is very similar to -만큼 when used with verbs, meaning 'to the extent that...'. They are often interchangeable. '죽을 만큼 아프다' and '죽을 정도로 아프다' both mean 'It hurts to the point of dying'.
- -만 하다To Be As...as
While -만큼 is for general equality, -만 하다 is specifically used for comparing physical size, meaning 'to be as big as'. For example, '얼굴이 주먹만 하다' (His face is as big as a fist).
- -ㄴ/은Adjective Noun Modifier
This noun-modifying ending is a required building block to use -만큼 with adjectives (e.g., 예쁜 만큼) or past-tense verbs (e.g., 먹은 만큼).
- -는/ㄹVerb Noun Modifier
These verb noun-modifying endings are required building blocks to use -만큼 with present tense (
-는, e.g., 노력하는 만큼) or future tense (-(으)ㄹ, e.g., 놀 만큼) verbs.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.