Formal 'About' in Korean (-에 대하여)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -에 대하여 to express 'about' or 'regarding' in formal, academic, or professional contexts.
- Attach to nouns: 'Topic + 에 대하여' (e.g., '한국어에 대하여').
- Use in formal settings: Perfect for reports, speeches, or formal emails.
- Interchangeable with -에 관하여: Both are grammatically identical in meaning.
Overview
Ever scrolled through a long YouTube comment debate and noticed a word that seems to pop up whenever things get serious? Maybe you're watching a tech review or a K-drama analysis video. You'll likely see the phrase -에 대하여 appearing in the title or the subtitles.
It is the heavy lifter of the Korean language. It helps you focus your thoughts on one specific topic. Think of it as the 'VIP spotlight' for nouns.
It tells your listener exactly what subject you are about to dissect. Without it, your sentences might feel a bit scattered. It’s the difference between 'I talk food' and 'I am speaking regarding the culinary arts.' Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic.
But you get the point! If you want to sound like you’ve actually done your homework, this is the grammar for you. It’s sophisticated, polished, and surprisingly easy to use once you find the rhythm.
Just don't use it to ask where the bathroom is. That would be weird. Stick to topics that actually deserve a discussion!
This grammar pattern is the formal way to say 'about' or 'concerning' in Korean. In English, we use 'about' for almost everything. 'I'm thinking about pizza.' 'Let's talk about the weather.' In Korean, you have options.
For a quick, casual chat, you might use other particles. But when you want to sound professional, academic, or just very clear, you reach for -에 대하여 對하여. The root comes from the Hanja 對 {대}, which means to face or correspond.
So, you are literally 'facing' a topic with your words. It’s very popular in news reports, essays, and deep late-night talks about the meaning of life. Or, more realistically, deep talks about why your favorite K-pop group deserves more screen time.
You'll find it in formal settings like job interviews or university presentations. It adds a layer of 'I mean business' to your speech. Even on social media, people use it to sound more authoritative in their captions.
It’s like wearing a blazer over a t-shirt. It instantly upgrades the vibe. Plus, it makes you sound like a native speaker who actually cares about grammar.
Who doesn't want that?
How This Grammar Works
-에 대하여 attaches to a noun to turn it into the 'topic' of the following verb. It acts like a bridge. On one side, you have your noun (the thing you're talking about).-에 대하여. One cool thing is that it has two main forms.-에 대하여. When it’s working as an adjective (describing a noun that follows it), it transforms into -에 대한. It’s like a transformer.-에 대하여 version. If you follow it with another noun like 'book' or 'opinion', use the -에 대한 version.Formation Pattern
한국 영화 (Korean movies).
-에 대하여 right after the noun. There’s no need to check for a final consonant (patchim). It’s the same for everything! So, 한국 영화에 대하여.
말해요 (I speak). Result: 한국 영화에 대하여 말해요. (I'm talking about Korean movies).
환경 (Environment).
-에 대한. So, 환경에 대한.
책 (book). Result: 환경에 대한 책 (A book about the environment).
사랑 (Love) + -에 대하여 = 사랑에 대하여 (About love)
미래 (Future) + -에 대하여 = 미래에 대하여 (About the future)
방탄소년단 (BTS) + -에 대하여 = 방탄소년단에 대하여 (About BTS)
When To Use It
- Academic Writing: If you're writing an essay or a report, this is your best friend. It makes your work look researched and serious.
- Social Media Headlines: Want to start a 'Story Time' on TikTok or Instagram? Use
-에 대한in the title. 'The truth about my trip to Jeju' sounds much better as제주도 여행에 대한 진실. - Job Interviews: When an interviewer asks about your experience, use
-에 대하여to sound professional.제 경험에 대하여 말씀드리겠습니다(I will speak about my experience). - News and Media: You'll hear news anchors using this constantly. It's the standard for professional broadcasting.
- Formal Presentations: If you're giving a talk at school or work, this grammar keeps your points organized and clear.
- Deep Conversations: When you're having one of those 2 AM talks with a friend about the future, this adds the right amount of weight to the conversation.
-에 대하여 might make you sound like a food critic writing a thesis on a ham sandwich. Use the simpler -고 or -을/를 for the small stuff. Save the big guns for the big topics!Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the '에': Some learners just say
명사 대하여. That’s like saying 'About noun' without the 'about'. You need that little-에to glue everything together. It's not optional! - Mixing up
-에 대하여and-에 대한: This is the most common one. Remember:대하여loves verbs.대한loves nouns. If you say영화에 대한 말해요, it sounds like 'I speak a movie-about.' It just doesn't work. Always look at what comes next. - Over-formalizing: Don't use this with your five-year-old cousin. They’ll look at you like you’ve turned into a textbook. In very casual speech, we usually shorten it to
-에 대해or-에 대해서. Using the full-에 대하여in a casual text might make you seem a bit stiff. - Wrong Verbs: You can't use it with just any verb. You wouldn't say 'I ate about pizza.' It only works with verbs of thinking, knowing, feeling, or communicating. Stick to verbs like
생각하다(think),알다(know),말하다(speak), and쓰다(write). - Misplacing the Particle: Make sure it's attached to the topic, not the subject. The subject usually takes
-이/가or-은/는. The topic of the discussion takes-에 대하여.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
-에 대해서 or just -에. Let’s clear the air.-에 대하여vs-에 대해서: These are basically twins.-에 대하여is the formal, written version. You’ll see it in books and newspapers.-에 대해서is the spoken, everyday version. If you're talking to a friend or a teacher, use-에 대해서. It feels more natural and less like a lecture.-에 대하여vs-에: The simple-에usually indicates a location or a time. 'I am at school' uses-에. 'I am talking about school' uses-에 대하여. If you use the wrong one, you might end up saying you're talking 'at' a school rather than 'about' it. Precision is key!-에 대하여vs-을/를: Sometimes you can just use the object particle.영화를 좋아해요(I like the movie). But if you say영화에 대하여 말해요, you are emphasizing the topic of the movie, not just the movie as an object. It’s a shift in focus.
-에 대하여 as the high-definition version of 'about'. It provides more detail and a clearer boundary for what you're discussing. If -에 is a point on a map, -에 대하여 is a full-blown tour guide. Use it when you want to make sure everyone is on the same page.Quick FAQ
Can I use this for people?
Yes! You can say 그 사람에 대하여 (About that person). It’s very common when discussing someone’s character or history.
Is it okay to use this in a text message?
It might feel a bit formal. Try shortening it to -에 대해 for your friends. It’s much more 'text-friendly.'
Does it matter if the noun ends in a vowel or consonant?
Not at all! It’s the same for both. Just slap it on and you’re good to go.
What’s the difference between 대하여 and 대해?
대해 is just a shortened version of 대하여. It’s like 'do not' vs 'don't'. 대해 is more common in daily conversation.
Can I use it for 'about' in terms of numbers?
No! For 'about 5 people,' use 약 or 정도. -에 대하여 is only for topics of discussion.
How do I say 'Everything about...'?
Use ...에 대한 모든 것. It’s a very popular phrase for YouTube titles and book names!
Formation Pattern
| Noun | Particle | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
학교
|
에 대하여
|
학교에 대하여
|
학교에 대하여 말하다
|
|
문제
|
에 대하여
|
문제에 대하여
|
문제에 대하여 생각하다
|
|
경제
|
에 대하여
|
경제에 대하여
|
경제에 대하여 토론하다
|
|
문화
|
에 대하여
|
문화에 대하여
|
문화에 대하여 연구하다
|
|
계획
|
에 대하여
|
계획에 대하여
|
계획에 대하여 질문하다
|
|
정보
|
에 대하여
|
정보에 대하여
|
정보에 대하여 확인하다
|
Common Variations
| Full Form | Shortened Form | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
|
-에 대하여
|
-에 대해
|
Slightly less formal
|
|
-에 관하여
|
-에 관해
|
Slightly less formal
|
Meanings
This grammar structure acts as a prepositional phrase meaning 'about', 'concerning', or 'regarding' a specific topic.
Topic/Subject
Indicating the subject matter of a discussion, thought, or action.
“환경 문제에 대하여 토론합시다.”
“그 계획에 대하여 질문이 있습니다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 에 대하여
|
그것에 대하여 압니다.
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + 에 대하여 + 안/못
|
그것에 대하여 모릅니다.
|
|
Question
|
Noun + 에 대하여 + V?
|
그것에 대하여 아십니까?
|
|
Past
|
Noun + 에 대하여 + V(past)
|
그것에 대하여 말했습니다.
|
|
Future
|
Noun + 에 대하여 + V(future)
|
그것에 대하여 말할 것입니다.
|
|
Polite
|
Noun + 에 대하여 + V(honorific)
|
그것에 대하여 말씀하셨습니다.
|
Formality Spectrum
그 계획에 대하여 생각하고 있습니다. (Business meeting)
그 계획에 대해 생각해요. (Business meeting)
그 계획에 대해 생각해. (Business meeting)
그 계획 어때? (Business meeting)
Usage Map
Contexts
- 보고서 Report
- 회의 Meeting
- 논문 Thesis
Verbs
- 말하다 Speak
- 토론하다 Discuss
- 생각하다 Think
Examples by Level
한국어에 대하여 공부합니다.
I study about Korean.
그것에 대하여 말하세요.
Please speak about that.
음악에 대하여 좋아해요.
I like music (about music).
학교에 대하여 질문 있어요.
I have a question about school.
선생님은 수업에 대하여 설명하셨습니다.
The teacher explained about the class.
이 영화에 대하여 어떻게 생각하세요?
What do you think about this movie?
날씨에 대하여 이야기합시다.
Let's talk about the weather.
건강에 대하여 걱정하지 마세요.
Don't worry about your health.
환경 오염에 대하여 심각하게 고민해야 합니다.
We must think seriously about environmental pollution.
새로운 정책에 대하여 의견을 제시했습니다.
I presented my opinion about the new policy.
그 사건에 대하여 아무것도 모릅니다.
I know nothing about that incident.
역사적 사실에 대하여 연구 중입니다.
I am researching about historical facts.
본 보고서는 경제 성장에 대하여 다루고 있습니다.
This report deals with economic growth.
인공지능의 윤리에 대하여 토론이 필요합니다.
A discussion is needed regarding the ethics of AI.
계약 조건에 대하여 재협상을 요청합니다.
I request a renegotiation regarding the contract terms.
사회적 불평등에 대하여 깊이 있는 분석이 요구됩니다.
In-depth analysis is required regarding social inequality.
정부의 조치에 대하여 비판적인 시각이 제기되었습니다.
A critical perspective was raised regarding the government's measures.
문화적 정체성에 대하여 논의하는 것은 매우 중요합니다.
Discussing cultural identity is very important.
글로벌 시장의 변화에 대하여 면밀히 관찰해야 합니다.
We must closely observe the changes in the global market.
인권 문제에 대하여 국제적인 협력이 필수적입니다.
International cooperation is essential regarding human rights issues.
본 논문은 언어 습득의 기제에 대하여 고찰합니다.
This thesis contemplates the mechanisms of language acquisition.
헌법 개정안에 대하여 국민들의 의견을 수렴하고 있습니다.
They are collecting public opinion regarding the constitutional amendment.
철학적 담론에 대하여 심도 있게 다루는 강연입니다.
This is a lecture that deals deeply with philosophical discourse.
기술적 결함에 대하여 책임 소재를 명확히 해야 합니다.
The responsibility for the technical defect must be clarified.
Easily Confused
Learners often mix these because they mean the same thing.
Both are formal particles meaning 'about'.
Learners confuse the particle with the modifier form.
Common Mistakes
친구에 대하여 놀아요.
친구와 놀아요.
사과에 대하여 먹어요.
사과를 먹어요.
어디에 대하여 가요?
어디로 가요?
내일에 대하여 해요.
내일 해요.
그것에 대하여 좋아요.
그것에 대해 좋습니다.
선생님에 대하여 말했어요.
선생님에 관해 말씀드렸어요.
숙제에 대하여 했어요.
숙제를 했어요.
그 주제에 대하여 토론합니다.
그 주제에 관하여 토론합니다.
이것에 대하여 생각합니다.
이것에 대해 생각합니다.
그것에 대하여 모릅니다.
그것에 관해 모릅니다.
그것에 대하여 말하는 것은 중요합니다.
그것에 관하여 논의하는 것은 중요합니다.
이것에 대하여 분석합니다.
이것에 관하여 분석합니다.
그것에 대하여 연구합니다.
그것에 관하여 연구합니다.
Sentence Patterns
___에 대하여 어떻게 생각하세요?
___에 대하여 질문이 있습니다.
___에 대하여 깊이 고민해 보았습니다.
___에 대하여 말씀드리겠습니다.
Real World Usage
오늘 회의 안건에 대하여 논의하겠습니다.
이 논문은 현대 사회에 대하여 다룹니다.
문의하신 내용에 대하여 답변드립니다.
정부는 새로운 정책에 대하여 발표했습니다.
여러분, 환경 보호에 대하여 생각해보셨나요?
제 경력에 대하여 말씀드리겠습니다.
Consistency
Don't Overuse
Verb Choice
Register
Smart Tips
Use -에 대하여 to introduce your main topic clearly.
Use -에 대하여 to transition between slides.
Use -에 대하여 to specify what you are asking about.
Use -에 대하여 to frame your opinion.
Pronunciation
Linking
The '에' and '대' are pronounced clearly. The '하여' often blends into '해' in fast speech.
Statement
Noun-에 대하여 ↘
Neutral, professional tone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '대' (大 - big) as a big topic you are facing.
Visual Association
Imagine a professor standing at a podium, pointing at a large screen labeled with a topic. The professor says, '이 주제에 대하여...' (Regarding this topic...).
Rhyme
Formal and neat, use 대하여 for the seat.
Story
Min-su was nervous about his presentation. He practiced saying '프로젝트에 대하여' (regarding the project) in front of the mirror. When the boss asked, 'What is this?', Min-su confidently replied, '프로젝트에 대하여 말씀드리겠습니다.' The boss was impressed by his formal tone.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your favorite hobby using '에 대하여' and read them aloud in a formal tone.
Cultural Notes
In Korean business, using formal particles like -에 대하여 shows respect for the agenda and the participants.
Essays and reports require the most formal language, making -에 대하여 the standard choice.
Speakers use this to signal a shift in topic to the audience.
Derived from the verb '대하다' (to face/confront) + particle '에'.
Conversation Starters
최근 뉴스에 대하여 어떻게 생각하세요?
환경 문제에 대하여 어떤 해결책이 있을까요?
한국 문화에 대하여 무엇을 배우고 싶으세요?
기술 발전에 대하여 긍정적이신가요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그 문제___ 대하여 이야기합시다.
Which sentence is most formal?
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에 대하여 놀아요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I have a question about the report.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
환경 / 토론하다
그 계획에 대하여 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그 문제___ 대하여 이야기합시다.
Which sentence is most formal?
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에 대하여 놀아요.
대하여 / 생각 / 그 / 에 / 합니다 / 계획
I have a question about the report.
Match 'regarding the plan'.
환경 / 토론하다
그 계획에 대하여 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises가격( ) 질문이 있습니다.
미래에 / 대하여 / 생각했어요 / .
사랑( ) 편지
Select the best option:
그는 저 대한 알아요.
Match the pairs:
서울에 ( ) 모든 것.
Identify the formal written form:
여행에 / 대하여 / 보고서를 / 쓰세요 / .
그것( ) 정보가 없어요.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is very versatile and can be used with almost any topic noun.
Yes, they are interchangeable in almost all formal contexts.
It sounds too stiff and formal, which can create distance in a friendship.
Yes, in formal speeches or business meetings, but rarely in casual conversation.
-에 대한 is a modifier (e.g., 'the opinion about X'), while -에 대하여 is a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'to speak about X').
Yes, it is often used with honorific verbs like '말씀하시다'.
Extremely common, as news reports are formal.
Simply negate the following verb, e.g., '그것에 대하여 알지 못합니다'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
について (ni tsuite)
Japanese has more variations based on the verb used.
关于 (guānyú)
Chinese places it at the start, whereas Korean places it after the noun.
bezüglich
German requires a genitive case after the preposition.
concernant
French is a participle, whereas Korean is a particle construction.
sobre
Spanish 'sobre' is much more common and less formal than '에 대하여'.
بخصوص (bi-khusus)
Arabic is a prepositional phrase, Korean is a particle.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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