B1 phrase #1,500 most common 2 min read

~을 바탕으로

This phrase means you are using something as a foundation or starting point for your work.

eul batang-euro

Explanation at your level:

You use this to say 'based on.' If you have a book, you can say 'Based on this book, I learned Korean.' It is very useful for explaining where your ideas come from.

This phrase helps you explain your sources. Use it when you talk about your homework or your hobbies. It shows you have a reason for what you do.

At this level, you will use it to link ideas in paragraphs. It is essential for writing reports or giving presentations. It sounds professional and clear to your audience.

Use this to add nuance to your arguments. Instead of just stating a fact, you explain the basis of that fact, which makes your speech much more persuasive.

In advanced contexts, this phrase demonstrates your ability to synthesize information. It is the hallmark of academic writing, showing that you can integrate external data into your own reasoning.

Mastery of this phrase involves understanding the subtle shift from 'based on' to 'derived from.' It allows for sophisticated discourse in legal, academic, and literary analysis.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used for 'based on'
  • Very common
  • Formal/Neutral
  • Easy to use

When you use ~을 바탕으로, you are telling your listener that your work has a solid starting point. Think of it like a recipe; the ingredients are the foundation for the final meal.

It is a very common phrase in both professional and casual Korean. Whether you are writing an essay or explaining a business plan, this phrase shows you have done your homework and have a clear reason for your ideas.

The word 바탕 (batang) comes from ancient Korean roots meaning 'foundation' or 'ground.' It represents the physical earth or the base layer of a structure.

Over centuries, it evolved from literal construction terms to abstract concepts. By adding ~으로, which means 'by means of' or 'using,' the phrase became a standard way to describe intellectual building blocks.

You will see this most often in formal reports, academic papers, and news articles. It pairs perfectly with nouns like research, facts, or past experiences.

While it sounds professional, you can also use it in daily life. For example, saying you made a decision based on your feelings is a very natural way to express yourself.

While it isn't an idiom itself, it is part of many set phrases. 사실을 바탕으로 (based on facts) is a classic example used to prove credibility.

Another common one is 경험을 바탕으로 (based on experience), which is perfect for job interviews or sharing advice with a friend.

Grammatically, this attaches to the object marker ~을. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb that follows.

Pronunciation is smooth: 'ba-tang-eu-ro.' Ensure you link the 'ng' sound of 'tang' into the 'eu' vowel for a native-sounding flow.

Fun Fact

It is often used in computer terms like 'Desktop' (바탕화면).

Pronunciation Guide

UK ...

Korean phonetics apply.

US ...

Korean phonetics apply.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing 'ng'
  • Hard 't' sound
  • Missing the liaison

Rhymes With

마당으로 화장으로 가장으로 사장으로 담장으로

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy

Writing 2/5

Easy

Speaking 2/5

Easy

Listening 2/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

바탕 으로

Learn Next

근거하여 기반으로

Advanced

토대로

Grammar to Know

Particles

을/를

Examples by Level

1

사실을 바탕으로 말해요.

Fact + based on + speak.

Simple command.

2

경험을 바탕으로 결정했어요.

Experience + based on + decided.

Past tense.

3

이 책을 바탕으로 공부해요.

This book + based on + study.

Present tense.

4

데이터를 바탕으로 만들었어요.

Data + based on + made.

Formal verb.

5

이야기를 바탕으로 그렸어요.

Story + based on + drew.

Creative context.

6

계획을 바탕으로 시작해요.

Plan + based on + start.

Future/Present.

7

그림을 바탕으로 설명해요.

Picture + based on + explain.

Instructional.

8

기록을 바탕으로 썼어요.

Record + based on + wrote.

Past tense.

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

Common Collocations

사실을 바탕으로
경험을 바탕으로
연구를 바탕으로
데이터를 바탕으로
기록을 바탕으로
이론을 바탕으로
설문을 바탕으로
소설을 바탕으로
실화를 바탕으로
원작을 바탕으로

Idioms & Expressions

"바탕이 되다"

To serve as a foundation

기초가 바탕이 되다.

neutral

"바탕을 깔다"

To lay the groundwork

협상의 바탕을 깔다.

formal

"바탕을 이루다"

To form the basis

문화가 바탕을 이루다.

formal

"바탕이 약하다"

To have a weak foundation

기본 바탕이 약하다.

neutral

"바탕을 다지다"

To solidify the base

실력을 바탕을 다지다.

neutral

"바탕이 다르다"

To have a different background

두 사람의 바탕이 다르다.

neutral

Easily Confused

~을 바탕으로 vs 기반으로

Similar meaning

기반 is more structural/abstract.

이론을 기반으로.

~을 바탕으로 vs 토대로

Similar meaning

토대 is more physical/foundational.

기초를 토대로.

Sentence Patterns

A1

N + 을 바탕으로 + V

경험을 바탕으로 썼다.

Word Family

Nouns

바탕 Foundation, base

Related

기반 Synonym

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual

Common Mistakes

바탕으로에 바탕으로
Do not add extra particles.
바탕해서 바탕으로
Grammatically incorrect.
바탕한 바탕으로
Wrong verb form.
바탕의로 바탕으로
Spelling error.
바탕을 위해서 바탕으로
Redundant phrasing.

Tips

💡

When to use

Use it when explaining the 'why' behind an action.

💡

Grammar rule

Always keep it as '바탕으로'.

💡

Study Smart

Pair it with common nouns like 'fact' or 'experience'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bat' (바탕) standing on the 'Ground' (Foundation).

Visual Association

A building rising from a solid concrete slab.

Word Web

Foundation Source Basis Origin

Challenge

Write three sentences about your day using this phrase.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Ground, soil, foundation

Cultural Context

None.

Similar to 'based on' or 'grounded in'.

Used in many movie synopses (e.g., 'Based on a true story').

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work

  • 데이터를 바탕으로
  • 보고서를 바탕으로

School

  • 사실을 바탕으로
  • 이론을 바탕으로

Conversation Starters

"What is your decision based on?"

"Is the movie based on a book?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a choice you made based on experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It is neutral-formal.

Usually with things, not people.

It is a phrase acting as an adverb.

Foundation.

Yes, it is very common.

Yes, 'Based on a true story'.

No.

No, it is very logical.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

사실을 ___ 말해요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 바탕으로

Correct particle usage.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'based on'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 바탕으로

Target phrase.

true false B1

Can you use this to express a future plan?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, if the plan has a basis.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Common collocation.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard structure.

Score: /5

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