Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of comparison to express your opinions and preferences with confidence.
- Construct sentences comparing two distinct items using ~보다 (boda).
- Adjust the intensity of your descriptions using 더 (deo) and 덜 (deol).
- Identify the ultimate choice among many using 가장 (gajang) and 제일 (jeil).
Compare, evaluate, and describe the world around you!
学べること
Alright, superstar! You've mastered the Korean basics, and now it's time to add a powerful new layer to your conversations: comparisons! Ever wanted to say
This is better than that,or
This one is more delicious? This chapter is your ticket to expressing preferences, making choices, and describing the world around you with newfound precision. We'll kick things off by mastering '~보다' (boda), the key to saying
compared to Noun or than Noun. This fundamental structure will let you pit two things against each other, whether you're comparing prices at a market or sharing your opinion on two different dishes. Next, we'll supercharge your adjectives with '더' (deo) for more and '덜' (deol) for less. You'll learn how to place these simple words right before your descriptive terms to dial up or down their intensity, making your descriptions much more nuanced.
And for the grand finale, get ready to talk about the absolute best! We'll introduce '가장' (gajang) or '제일' (jeil), your go-to words for expressing the most. Imagine finding the most beautiful temple or tasting the most delicious street food – these words will help you convey that ultimate experience. By the time you finish this chapter, you won't just be describing things; you'll be *evaluating* them. You'll be able to confidently express what you like most, what's better than something else, and generally communicate your nuanced opinions in Korean. Get ready to compare and conquer!
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比較表現：〜より (-보다)比較の基準になる名詞に «보다» をつけるだけで「〜より」という意味になります。もっと強調したい時は «더» をセットで使いましょう！
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比較の表現：もっと・あまり〜ない (더/덜)形容詞の前に «더» (もっと) や «덜» (より少なく) を置くだけで、程度を自由にコントロールできます！
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韓国語の最上級：「最も・一番」(가장 / 제일)形容詞の前に «가장» か «제일» を置くだけで、最強の「一番〜」という表現が作れます。
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Compare two objects using the ~보다 particle correctly.
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2
By the end you will be able to: Use intensity modifiers to describe nuanced preferences.
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3
By the end you will be able to: Express superlatives to pick the best or most extreme option.
チャプターガイド
Overview
Alright, superstar! You've mastered the Korean basics, and now it's time to add a powerful new layer to your conversations: Korean comparisons! This chapter is your ticket to expressing preferences, making choices, and describing the world around you with newfound precision.
For A2 Korean learners, mastering comparisons like
better than, more, and the most is crucial for engaging in more complex and natural conversations. You'll move beyond simple descriptions to nuanced evaluations, significantly boosting your communicative ability.In this essential Korean grammar chapter, we'll equip you with three core structures. We'll start with ~보다 (boda), the fundamental particle for
compared to Noun or than Noun, allowing you to pit two things against each other. Next, we'll supercharge your adjectives and verbs with 더 (deo) for more and 덜 (deol) for less, adding intensity and nuance to your descriptions.Finally, for the grand finale, you'll learn 가장 (gajang) or 제일 (jeil), your go-to words for expressing
the most, letting you identify the absolute best of anything. By the end, you'll be able to confidently express your opinions and preferences in Korean.How This Grammar Works
Let's break down the core Korean grammar A2 structures for making comparisons.
1. Comparisons: Better than (~보다)
The particle ~보다 (boda) is attached to the noun you are comparing *against*. It means
compared to [Noun] or than [Noun]. The structure typically looks like:[Noun 1]이/가 [Noun 2]보다 [Adjective/Verb].
Example
사과가 바나나보다 더 맛있어요. (Apples are more delicious than bananas.)
Example
저는 커피보다 차를 더 좋아해요. (I like tea more than coffee.)
You can also place the ~보다 phrase at the beginning for emphasis:
차보다 커피가 더 비싸요. (Compared to tea, coffee is more expensive.)
2. Comparing things: More and Less (더/덜)
These adverbs are placed directly *before* adjectives or verbs to indicate
more or less.더 (deo) means
more.Example
이 옷이 저 옷보다 더 예뻐요. (These clothes are more pretty than those clothes.)
Example
저는 한국어를 더 공부하고 싶어요. (I want to study Korean more.)
덜 (deol) means
less. It's less common than 더 but very useful.Example
오늘은 어제보다 덜 추워요. (Today is less cold than yesterday.)
Example
그 영화는 제가 생각했던 것보다 덜 재미있었어요. (That movie was less interesting than I thought.)
3. Korean Superlatives: The Most (가장 / 제일)
When you want to express the absolute
most or best, you use 가장 (gajang) or 제일 (jeil). Both mean the most and are largely interchangeable for A2 Korean learners. They are placed directly *before* the adjective or verb.Example
김치찌개는 제가 좋아하는 음식 가장 맛있어요. (Kimchi jjigae is the most delicious food I like.)
Example
우리 학교에서 제일 키가 큰 학생은 누구예요? (Who is the most tallest student in our school?)
You can also use them to say
the best:이 가방이 가장 좋아요. (This bag is the best.)
서울에서 제일 좋은 식당은 어디예요? (Where is the best restaurant in Seoul?)
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: 이 식당은 저 식당 싸요.
✓ Correct: 이 식당은 저 식당보다 더 싸요. (This restaurant is cheaper than that restaurant.)
*Explanation:* When comparing two specific items, you need ~보다 attached to the item you're comparing *against* to explicitly state
than [that item]. The word 더 (more) also typically accompanies ~보다 for more [adjective].- 1✗ Wrong: 저는 숙제를 덜 해요. (I do less homework.) - *If the intention is
I do less homework than others.
*
✓ Correct: 저는 숙제를 더 많이 해요. (I do more homework.) OR 저는 다른 사람보다 숙제를 덜 해요. (I do less homework than others.)
*Explanation:* While 덜 means
less, it often needs a comparative context like ~보다. Without it, «덜 해요» can sound a bit incomplete or simply mean "I don't do it much." For a direct comparison of quantity, 더 많이 (more quantity) is often used, or 덜 needs its comparative partner.- 1✗ Wrong: 이 책이 저 책보다 가장 좋아요. (This book is the best compared to that book.)
✓ Correct: 이 책이 가장 좋아요. (This book is the best.) OR 이 책이 저 책보다 더 좋아요. (This book is better than that book.)
*Explanation:* 가장 (or 제일) already implies the absolute superlative (
the best). Combining it with ~보다 (than) is redundant and grammatically awkward. Use 가장/제일 for the most out of a group, and ~보다 더 for more than between two items.
Real Conversations
A
A
이 커피가 저 커피보다 더 맛있네요! (This coffee is more delicious than that coffee!)
B
B
맞아요. 여기가 제가 가장 좋아하는 카페예요. (That's right. This is my most favorite cafe.)
A
A
한국어 공부가 영어 공부보다 더 어려워요? (Is studying Korean more difficult than studying English?)
B
B
아니요, 저는 한국어가 영어보다 덜 어려워요. 제일 재미있어요! (No, for me, Korean is less difficult than English. It's the most interesting!)
A
A
어떤 계절을 가장 좋아하세요? (Which season do you like the most?)
B
B
저는 여름보다 겨울을 더 좋아해요. (I like winter more than summer.)
Quick FAQ
Q
How do you say not as... as... in Korean grammar?
You can use
Noun 1-은/는 Noun 2-보다 덜 [adjective]or
Noun 1-은/는 Noun 2-만큼 [adjective]지 않다.(e.g., «커피는 차보다 덜 비싸요» - Coffee is less expensive than tea. Or «커피는 차만큼 비싸지 않아요» - Coffee is not as expensive as tea.)
Q
Are 가장 and 제일 interchangeable for all A2 Korean contexts?
Yes, for most everyday conversations and at the A2 level, 가장 and 제일 are interchangeable and mean the most. You can choose whichever you prefer.
Q
Can I use 더 without ~보다?
Yes! 더 can simply mean more or additionally without a direct comparison. For example, «더 주세요» (Please give me more) or «더 공부할 거예요» (I will study more).
Q
Where should ~보다 be placed in a sentence?
~보다 attaches directly to the noun you are comparing *against*. It usually comes right after that noun, but the entire [Noun]보다 phrase can be moved around in the sentence for emphasis, as long as 보다 stays with its noun.
Cultural Context
In Korean conversation, direct comparisons using ~보다 더 are very common. Koreans frequently express preferences and opinions, and these structures are essential for polite and clear communication. While 더 is often used, sometimes in very casual speech, it can be omitted if the comparative meaning is clear from context (e.g., «이게 저것보다 비싸» instead of «이게 저것보다 더 비싸»).
However, for clarity and good Korean grammar, especially at the A2 level, it's best to include 더. 가장 and 제일 are used constantly to highlight favorites, from food to K-pop idols, making them indispensable for anyone learning Korean.
重要な例文 (6)
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ヒントとコツ (3)
💡
「〜と比べて」と考える
«-보다» が出てきたら、その単語を基準にして「〜と比べて」と考えると分かりやすいですよ。«어제보다 더워요» なら「昨日と比べて暑い」となります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比較表現：〜より (-보다)
🎯
「〜より」のルール
「-보다」は必ず比較する対象（〜より）の方にくっつきます。「A-보다 B」なら、Aと比べてBがどうなのかを説明しています。例えば «언니보다 제가 더 커요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比較の表現：もっと・あまり〜ない (더/덜)
💡
「ナンバーワン」の覚え方
«제일» の「일（イル）」は数字の1という意味。だから「No.1」と言いたい時は «제일» を使うと覚えやすいですよ！ «제일 좋아요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の最上級：「最も・一番」(가장 / 제일)
重要な語彙 (6)
크다 (keuda)
to be big
작다 (jakda)
to be small
맛있다 (masitda)
to be delicious
비싸다 (bissada)
to be expensive
아름답다 (areumdapda)
to be beautiful
좋다 (jota)
to be good
Real-World Preview
utensils
Choosing a Meal
Review Summary
- Noun + 보다
- 더/덜 + Adjective
- 가장/제일 + Adjective
よくある間違い
You don't need a subject particle after ~보다 because ~보다 is already a particle itself.
Wrong:
서울보다가 커요 (Seoul-boda-ga is big)
正解:
서울보다 커요 (Seoul-boda is big)
Intensity modifiers like 더 must come BEFORE the adjective, not after the comparison.
Wrong:
더 비싸요보다 (It is more expensive than)
正解:
보다 더 비싸요 (It is more expensive than)
Do not use both 가장 and 제일 in the same phrase; they mean the same thing and it sounds redundant.
Wrong:
가장 큰 것 제일 (The most big thing the most)
正解:
가장 큰 것 (The most big thing)
このチャプターのルール (3)
Next Steps
You are doing great! Keep comparing the world around you and watch how quickly your Korean improves.
Write 5 sentences comparing your favorite fruits.
クイック練習 (3)
「今日は昨日より暑くない（より少なく暑い）です」という正しい文を選んでください。
正しい文を選んでください：
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오늘은 어제보다 덜 더워요.
「덜」は「より少なく」という意味で、形容詞「더워요」の前に置きます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比較の表現：もっと・あまり〜ない (더/덜)
語順の間違いを直してください。
이 가방이 저 가방보다 비싸요 더.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이 가방이 저 가방보다 더 비싸요.
「더」は必ず形容詞「비싸요」の直前に置くのがルールです。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比較の表現：もっと・あまり〜ない (더/덜)
「こっちの方がもっと美味しいです」と言うために、空欄を埋めてください。
이게 ___ 맛있어요.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 더
比較して「もっと」と言いたいときは「더」を使います。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 比較の表現：もっと・あまり〜ない (더/덜)
Score: /3
よくある質問 (6)
真逆の意味になります！«더» は「もっと（プラス）」、«덜» は「あまり〜ない（マイナス）」です。例えば «덜 매워요» なら「（他より）辛くないです」という意味になります。
はい、使えます！「君よりたくさん食べる」なら «너보다 더 많이 먹어» と言います。«많이»（たくさん）や «잘»（よく）などの副詞を添えると自然ですよ。
いいえ、省略しても大丈夫です！「-보다」だけで比較の意味になりますが、「더」を付けると強調されてより分かりやすくなります。«어제보다 더워요.»
はい！「더 많이」で「もっとたくさん」という意味になります。«돈을 더 많이 벌고 싶어요.»
はい、使えます！例えば «제일 안 매워요» と言えば「一番辛くないです」という意味になります。
«제일» は形容詞を飾る副詞で、«최고» は「最高」という名詞です。«이게 최고예요» とは言えますが、«최고 비싸요» とは言いません。
