B2 · Intermedio alto Capítulo 1

Professional Comparisons and Proportions

3 Reglas totales
31 ejemplos
4 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of professional comparison and proportional reasoning in Korean.

  • Compare two entities using formal structures.
  • Describe proportional relationships in professional settings.
  • Express dependencies between factors and outcomes.
Speak with precision, reason with logic.

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there! In this chapter, you're going to pick up some super useful Korean skills for comparing things and talking about how different elements relate to each other, especially in work or formal settings. It's an A1 level, so no need to stress – we’ll make it super easy and fun! You’ll start with '-에 비해' to make comparisons like 'compared to...' Imagine you're in a meeting saying, 'Our new project is more efficient compared to the old one.' This helps you make clear judgments. Next, we’ll explore the 'the more... the more...' structures with '-ㄹ/을수록' and '-면 -(으)ㄹ수록'. You’ll learn to say things like, 'The more you practice, the better you get at Korean,' or 'The more feedback we get, the more we can improve.' These are great for describing progressive changes in any situation. Then, we introduce '-에 비례하여,' letting you explain things that change proportionally, like 'Our sales increased in proportion to our advertising efforts.' It's perfect for explaining cause and effect in a structured way. Finally, master '-에 따라' to express 'depending on...' This lets you say, 'Delivery times vary depending on the destination,' or 'My plans change depending on the weather.' By the time you finish this chapter, you'll confidently discuss comparisons, proportional changes, and dependencies. You'll sound more natural and precise, whether you're at work, traveling, or chatting with Korean friends. Let's get started!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Compare project performance using -에 비해 (e bihae).
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Articulate proportional growth using -에 비례하여 (e biryeohayeo).
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Explain conditional outcomes using -에 따라 (e ttara).

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Welcome to your B2 Korean grammar journey, where we'll unlock the power of precise comparisons and proportional statements! This chapter,
Professional Comparisons and Proportions,
is designed to elevate your Korean grammar skills, especially for workplace discussions, academic presentations, or any situation demanding clear, nuanced communication. At the B2 Korean level, mastering these structures will enable you to articulate complex ideas, evaluate data, and present arguments with greater sophistication.
You'll learn essential phrases that move beyond basic comparisons, allowing you to discuss cause and effect, dependencies, and relative judgments with confidence. Whether you're analyzing sales figures, explaining project progress, or discussing policy impacts, these patterns are indispensable. Get ready to sound more native, more professional, and more articulate in Korean!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the core Korean grammar patterns that will transform your comparative and proportional expressions. Each of these structures serves a unique function, making your communication more precise.
First up is -에 비해 (Compared To: Evaluation & Relative Judgment). This pattern is used to make a comparison between two things, often highlighting a difference or an evaluation. It's like saying
compared to X, Y is...
and is particularly useful for objective analysis.
* 우리 팀의 성과는 작년에 비해 크게 향상되었습니다. (Our team's performance has significantly improved compared to last year.)
* 이 제품은 다른 경쟁사 제품에 비해 가격이 저렴합니다. (This product is cheaper compared to competitors' products.)
Next, we have the powerful 'the more... the more...' structure: -ㄹ/을수록 and -(으)ㄹ수록 (Proportional Grammar: 'The More... The More' / The More, The Better).
This expresses that as one condition increases or changes, another condition also changes proportionally. Use -ㄹ수록 after verb/adjective stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ, and -을수록 after stems ending in a consonant (not ㄹ).
* 이 프로젝트는 준비할수록 성공 가능성이 높아집니다. (The more you prepare for this project, the higher its success rate becomes.)
* 일을 미룰수록 부담이 커집니다. (The more you postpone work, the greater the burden becomes.)
For more formal or quantitative relationships, we use -에 비례하여 (Mathematical Proportions). This pattern explicitly states that one thing changes in direct proportion to another, often seen in economic, scientific, or business contexts.
* 수익은 투자금에 비례하여 증가했습니다. (Profits increased in proportion to the investment.)
* 직원들의 생산성은 적절한 휴식 시간에 비례하여 높아집니다. (Employees' productivity increases in proportion to adequate break times.)
Finally, master -에 따라 (Depending On...). This versatile expression means depending on, according to, or in accordance with. It's perfect for indicating variability or adherence to a standard.
* 시장 상황에 따라 전략을 조정해야 합니다. (We need to adjust our strategy depending on market conditions.)
* 보고서 내용에 따라 회의 일정이 변경될 수 있습니다. (The meeting schedule may change depending on the report's content.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 이 도시는 작년보다 인구가 적습니다. (This city's population is smaller than last year.)
✓ Correct: 이 도시는 작년에 비해 인구가 적습니다. (This city's population is smaller compared to last year.)
*Explanation:* While -보다 is used for simple, direct comparisons, -에 비해 is preferred when making a relative judgment or evaluation, especially in more formal contexts or when the comparison is against a standard or past state.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 더 많이 노력하면 할수록 더 좋은 결과가 나온다. (If you try harder, better results come out.)
✓ Correct: 더 많이 노력할수록 더 좋은 결과가 나옵니다. (The more you try, the better results you get.)
*Explanation:* The structure -ㄹ/을수록 already embeds the if... then more meaning. Using an additional «더 많이... 하면» can be redundant or less natural. Simply attach -ㄹ/을수록 to the verb or adjective stem.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 계획에 따라서 프로젝트가 진행되었다. (The project proceeded depending on the plan.)
✓ Correct: 계획에 따라 프로젝트가 진행되었습니다. (The project proceeded according to the plan.)
*Explanation:* When -에 따라 means according to or in accordance with a plan, rule, or instruction, the particle -서 is usually omitted, especially in formal writing or speech.

Real Conversations

A

A

이번 분기 실적은 지난 분기에 비해 어떠한가요? (How are this quarter's results compared to last quarter's?)
B

B

생산성이 향상될수록 비용 절감 효과가 커졌습니다. (The more productivity improved, the greater the cost-saving effect became.)
A

A

고객의 요구 사항에 따라 제품 사양을 조절해야 합니다. (We need to adjust the product specifications depending on customer requirements.)
B

B

네, 요구사항이 구체적일수록 개발 기간이 단축될 것입니다. (Yes, the more specific the requirements are, the shorter the development period will be.)
A

A

저희 회사의 시장 점유율은 마케팅 노력에 비례하여 증가했습니다. (Our company's market share increased in proportion to our marketing efforts.)
B

B

아주 좋은 소식이네요. (That's very good news.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between -에 비해 and -보다?

-에 비해 is used for relative judgment or evaluation against a benchmark, often implying a more analytical comparison. -보다 is a simpler, more direct comparison (

A is taller than B
).

Q

Can -에 따라 be used in the sense of according to a document or rule?

Yes, absolutely! -에 따라 is frequently used to mean according to a report, regulation, or instruction, making it very useful in professional contexts.

Q

Is -에 비례하여 always very formal?

Yes, -에 비례하여 carries a distinct formal and often academic or business tone. It's typically used when discussing measurable, proportional relationships, making it less common in casual conversation.

Cultural Context

These B2 Korean grammar patterns are highly valued in professional and academic settings because they enable speakers to express complex relationships with precision and objectivity. Using structures like -에 비해, -에 비례하여, and -에 따라 demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of Korean grammar and lends credibility to your statements. Native Korean speakers frequently employ these in presentations, official reports, and formal discussions to convey nuanced meaning and analytical depth, making your communication sound more polished and authoritative.

Ejemplos clave (6)

1

Gagyeok-e bihae seongneung-i jinjja joayo.

Comparado con el precio, el rendimiento es realmente bueno.

Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)
2

Gidae-e bihaeseo yeonghwa-ga byeollo-yeosseoyo.

Comparada con mis expectativas, la película fue meh.

Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)
3

노력에 비례하여 성적이 올랐어요.

Las notas subieron en proporción al esfuerzo.

Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)
4

배달 거리에 비례하여 배달비가 추가돼요.

El costo de envío se añade en proporción a la distancia.

Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)
5

날씨에 따라 기분이 달라요.

Mi estado de ánimo cambia dependiendo del clima.

Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)
6

사람에 따라 생각이 다를 수 있어요.

Los pensamientos pueden variar dependiendo de la persona.

Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)

Consejos y trucos (3)

💬

¡El secreto de la 가성비!

Los coreanos adoran la palabra '가성비' (relación calidad-precio). Cuando algo es una ganga, a menudo escucharás: «가격에 비해 좋아요» (Bueno para el precio).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)
🎯

¡Ideal para negociar!

Si estás en una entrevista, usa esta frase para sonar lógico y profesional: «경력에 비례하여 연봉을 협상하고 싶습니다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)
💡

El dúo de la diferencia

Esta gramática casi siempre aparece junto a verbos que significan 'ser diferente' o 'variar' como «나라에 따라 문화가 다양해요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)

Vocabulario clave (5)

효율적 (hyoyuljeok) efficient 증가하다 (jeunggahada) to increase 광고 (gwanggo) advertisement 결과 (gyeol-gwa) result 상황 (sanghwang) situation

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Project Review Meeting

Review Summary

  • [Noun] + -에 비해
  • [Noun] + -에 비례하여
  • [Noun] + -에 따라

Errores comunes

When using -에 비례하여, use the full adverbial form for professional writing.

Wrong: 그것에 비례해 (Geugeot-e biryehae)
Correcto: 그것에 비례하여 (Geugeot-e biryeohayeo)

Do not add an extra -해서. The particle -에 비해 is already complete.

Wrong: 비해해서 (Bihaehaeseo)
Correcto: 비해 (Bihae)

Dependency uses the location particle -에, not the object particle -을.

Wrong: 상황을 따라 (Sanghwang-eul ttara)
Correcto: 상황에 따라 (Sanghwang-e ttara)

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job today! Keep practicing these patterns in your daily life to make them second nature.

Write a 3-sentence summary of your day using -에 비해 and -에 따라.

Continue to: Formal Logic and Causation

Práctica rápida (9)

¿Qué frase expresa correctamente 'Comparado con el año pasado'?

Choose the natural Korean sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 작년에 비해 날씨가 더워요.
El patrón es Sustantivo + -에 비해. '작년' (el año pasado) + '에 비해'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)

Rellena el espacio para decir 'en proporción a la cantidad de trabajo'.

___ 비례하여 월급을 받아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 업무량에
Necesitas un Sustantivo + '에' antes de '비례하여'. '업무량' (carga de trabajo) es el sustantivo correcto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)

Completa la frase con la forma gramatical correcta.

This bag is good quality compared to the price. 이 가방은 가격___ ___ 품질이 좋아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에 비해
Usamos -에 비해 (comparado con) para evaluar la calidad en relación con el precio.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)

Encuentra el error en esta frase.

공부하기에 비례하여 점수가 올랐어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부량에 비례하여 점수가 올랐어요.
No puedes unir '에 비례하여' a un verbo como '공부하기'. Debes usar un sustantivo como '공부량' (cantidad de estudio).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)

¿Cuál es la frase correcta para 'Depende de la persona'?

Elige la opción correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사람에 따라 달라요.
La estructura gramatical exacta es Sustantivo + -에 따라.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)

Encuentra el error en esta frase sobre planes y el clima.

날씨가 따라 여행 계획이 바뀌었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 날씨에 따라 여행 계획이 바뀌었어요.
Debes usar la partícula '에' antes de '따라' para que signifique 'según' o 'dependiendo de'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)

Encuentra el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

공부하다에 비해 성적이 잘 나왔어요. (Compared to studying, I got good grades.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부한 것에 비해 성적이 잘 나왔어요.
No puedes adjuntar -에 비해 directamente a un verbo (공부하다). Primero debes cambiar el verbo a una forma nominal: 공부한 것 (el acto de haber estudiado).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparado con: Evaluación y Juicio Relativo (-에 비해)

¿Qué frase usa correctamente la gramática proporcional?

Selecciona la frase correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 노력에 비례하여 성공해요.
La partícula '에' es obligatoria entre el sustantivo y '비례하여'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Proporciones matemáticas (-에 비례하여)

Rellena el espacio para decir 'Dependiendo del precio'

___ 물건의 품질이 달라요. (Precio: 가격)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가격에 따라
Para decir 'dependiendo del precio', añadimos -에 따라 al sustantivo 가격.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dependiendo de... (-에 따라)

Score: /9

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

«-보다» es para comparaciones directas (A es más grande que B). «-에 비해» es para evaluaciones relativas a un estándar (Para ser un coche pequeño, es espacioso). Piensa: «키가 저보다 커요» (Es más alto que yo) vs. «키에 비해 날씬해요» (Es delgado para su altura).
¡No directamente! Primero tienes que convertir el verbo en un sustantivo. Usa la estructura:
Raíz del verbo + -는 것 + 에 비해
. Por ejemplo, 'estudiar' (공부하다) se convierte en «공부하는 것에 비해».
'-에 따라' es un 'dependiendo de' general. '-에 비례하여' es mucho más específico e implica una relación matemática 1:1, como en: «수요에 비례하여 가격이 변해요.»
Podría sonar un poco rígido. Usa '-에 비례해서' en su lugar para mantener la lógica pero suavizar el tono: «노력에 비례해서 잘될 거야.»
¡Claro! Aunque en chats muy informales a veces se acorta a solo «상황 따라».
No directamente. Primero debes convertir el verbo en sustantivo usando '-(으)ㅁ', como en «발달함에 따라».
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Formal Logic and Causation
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