보다 (더) - Making Comparisons
보다 and 더 are commonly used to compare two people, things, places, or situations in Korean.
보다 means “than.”
더 means “more.”
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan. - 이 가방이 저 가방보다 더 비싸요.
This bag is more expensive than that bag. - 오늘이 어제보다 더 추워요.
Today is colder than yesterday.
The noun followed by 보다 is the standard of comparison.
Basic Sentence Structure
A common comparison sentence follows this structure:
A이/가 B보다 (더) Adjective
A is being described.
B is the person or thing used as the standard of comparison.
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
Literal: Seoul, compared with Busan, more big.
Natural: Seoul is bigger than Busan.
- 이 책이 저 책보다 더 재미있어요.
Literal: This book, compared with that book, more interesting.
Natural: This book is more interesting than that book.
The person or thing after 보다 corresponds to the noun after “than” in English.
Attaching 보다 to a Noun
보다 attaches directly to a noun.
- 부산 + 보다 → 부산보다
than Busan - 어제 + 보다 → 어제보다
than yesterday - 커피 + 보다 → 커피보다
than coffee - 저 + 보다 → 저보다
than me
Do not add a space between the noun and 보다.
부산보다 ✓
부산 보다 ✗
The Role of 더
더 means “more” and usually comes before an adjective or verb.
- 더 커요
is bigger - 더 비싸요
is more expensive - 더 좋아요
is better - 더 빨라요
is faster - 더 많이 먹어요
eat more
Examples:
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan. - 이 식당이 저 식당보다 더 비싸요.
This restaurant is more expensive than that restaurant. - 저는 동생보다 더 많이 먹어요.
I eat more than my younger sibling.
Is 더 Always Necessary?
더 is often used to make the comparison clear, but it may be omitted when 보다 already shows the comparison.
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan. - 서울이 부산보다 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan.
Both sentences are correct.
Including 더 emphasizes the comparative meaning and can make the sentence easier for beginners to understand.
For clear beginner sentences, using both 보다 and 더 is helpful.
Comparing People
Use 보다 to compare the qualities, abilities, or actions of two people.
- 제 동생이 저보다 더 커요.
My younger sibling is taller than me. - 민수 씨가 수진 씨보다 더 바빠요.
Minsu is busier than Sujin. - 제 친구가 저보다 한국어를 더 잘해요.
My friend speaks Korean better than I do. - 저는 제 동생보다 일찍 일어나요.
I wake up earlier than my younger sibling.
The person followed by 보다 is the standard of comparison.
Comparing Things
보다 is often used to compare objects, food, prices, sizes, and other qualities.
- 이 가방이 저 가방보다 더 싸요.
This bag is cheaper than that bag. - 한국 음식이 일본 음식보다 더 매워요.
Korean food is spicier than Japanese food. - 이 책이 그 책보다 더 어려워요.
This book is more difficult than that book. - 사과가 귤보다 더 커요.
Apples are bigger than mandarins. - 기차가 버스보다 더 빨라요.
The train is faster than the bus.
Comparing Places
Use 보다 to compare cities, countries, buildings, or other places.
- 서울이 제 고향보다 더 커요.
Seoul is bigger than my hometown. - 시장이 백화점보다 더 싸요.
The market is cheaper than the department store. - 이 공원이 저 공원보다 더 조용해요.
This park is quieter than that park. - 제 방이 거실보다 작아요.
My room is smaller than the living room. - 도서관이 카페보다 더 조용해요.
The library is quieter than the café.
Comparing Time and Situations
보다 can also follow time expressions or situations.
- 오늘이 어제보다 더 추워요.
Today is colder than yesterday. - 이번 주가 지난주보다 더 바빠요.
This week is busier than last week. - 올해가 작년보다 더 더워요.
This year is hotter than last year. - 아침보다 저녁에 사람이 더 많아요.
There are more people in the evening than in the morning. - 평일보다 주말에 시간이 더 많아요.
I have more time on weekends than on weekdays.
Comparing Actions
Comparisons are not limited to adjectives.
You can also compare actions, preferences, amounts, or frequency.
- 저는 동생보다 더 많이 먹어요.
I eat more than my younger sibling. - 친구가 저보다 더 빨리 걸어요.
My friend walks faster than I do. - 민수 씨가 저보다 한국어를 더 열심히 공부해요.
Minsu studies Korean harder than I do. - 저는 예전보다 운동을 더 자주 해요.
I exercise more often than before.
In these sentences, 더 modifies an adverb or action.
Comparing Preferences
보다 and 더 are commonly used with 좋아하다 and 좋다.
Noun + 을/를 + 더 좋아해요
- 저는 차보다 커피를 더 좋아해요.
I like coffee more than tea. - 민수 씨는 영화보다 드라마를 더 좋아해요.
Minsu likes dramas more than movies.
The preferred thing is usually followed by 을/를.
The less preferred thing is followed by 보다.
Noun + 이/가 + 더 좋아요
- 저는 차보다 커피가 더 좋아요.
I prefer coffee to tea.
I like coffee better than tea. - 여름보다 봄이 더 좋아요.
I like spring better than summer.
Both 좋아하다 and 좋다 can be used, but their sentence structures are different.
- 커피를 더 좋아해요.
I like coffee more. - 커피가 더 좋아요.
Coffee is better for me.
I prefer coffee.
Word Order in Comparison Sentences
Korean word order can be flexible, but the standard of comparison must stay attached to 보다.
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan. - 부산보다 서울이 더 커요.
Compared with Busan, Seoul is bigger.
Both sentences are correct.
Moving 부산보다 to the beginning gives more attention to the comparison standard.
Another example:
- 저는 차보다 커피를 더 좋아해요.
I like coffee more than tea. - 차보다 저는 커피를 더 좋아해요.
Compared with tea, I prefer coffee.
For beginners, the first word order is usually easier to follow.
Asking Comparison Questions
Use 어느 것이, 뭐가, 누가, or 어디가 to ask which person or thing has a greater quality.
- 어느 것이 더 비싸요?
Which one is more expensive? - 뭐가 더 맛있어요?
Which one is more delicious? - 누가 더 키가 커요?
Who is taller? - 어디가 더 좋아요?
Which place is better? - 한국어와 영어 중에서 뭐가 더 어려워요?
Which is more difficult, Korean or English?
The answer commonly uses 이/가 and 더.
- 이 가방이 더 비싸요.
This bag is more expensive. - 한국어가 더 어려워요.
Korean is more difficult.
A와/과 B 중에서
Use A와/과 B 중에서 to ask someone to choose or compare between two options.
A와/과 B 중에서 means “between A and B” or “out of A and B.”
Use 과 after a final consonant.
- 책과 영화 중에서
between books and movies
Use 와 after a vowel.
- 커피와 차 중에서
between coffee and tea
Examples:
- 커피와 차 중에서 뭐가 더 좋아요?
Which do you prefer, coffee or tea? - 서울과 부산 중에서 어디가 더 커요?
Which is bigger, Seoul or Busan? - 여름과 겨울 중에서 어느 계절을 더 좋아해요?
Which season do you like more, summer or winter?
In natural conversation, 하고 or 랑/이랑 may also be used instead of 와/과.
Common Comparison Questions
- 뭐가 더 좋아요?
Which one is better?
Which one do you prefer? - 뭐가 더 맛있어요?
Which one is more delicious? - 어디가 더 가까워요?
Which place is closer? - 누가 더 빨라요?
Who is faster? - 어느 것이 더 싸요?
Which one is cheaper? - 어떤 음식이 더 매워요?
Which food is spicier?
These questions are useful when shopping, choosing food, and talking about preferences.
More Examples
- 지하철이 버스보다 더 빨라요.
The subway is faster than the bus. - 오늘 날씨가 어제보다 더 좋아요.
The weather is better today than yesterday. - 이 문제가 저 문제보다 더 어려워요.
This problem is more difficult than that one. - 제 언니가 저보다 더 요리를 잘해요.
My older sister cooks better than I do. - 한국의 겨울이 제 고향보다 더 추워요.
Winter in Korea is colder than in my hometown. - 온라인 수업이 대면 수업보다 더 편해요.
Online classes are more convenient than in-person classes. - 저는 아침보다 밤에 더 집중을 잘해요.
I concentrate better at night than in the morning. - 이 신발이 저 신발보다 더 편해요.
These shoes are more comfortable than those shoes.
Using 훨씬 with Comparisons
훨씬 means “much” or “far” in a comparison.
It emphasizes that the difference is large.
- 기차가 버스보다 훨씬 빨라요.
The train is much faster than the bus. - 이 가방이 저 가방보다 훨씬 비싸요.
This bag is much more expensive than that bag. - 오늘이 어제보다 훨씬 추워요.
Today is much colder than yesterday. - 한국어가 전보다 훨씬 쉬워요.
Korean is much easier than before.
The common structure is:
A이/가 B보다 훨씬 더 Adjective
더 is sometimes omitted after 훨씬.
- 훨씬 더 커요.
is much bigger - 훨씬 커요.
is much bigger
Both are natural.
Using 조금 with Comparisons
조금 means “a little.”
It shows that the difference is small.
- 이 가방이 저 가방보다 조금 더 비싸요.
This bag is a little more expensive than that bag. - 오늘이 어제보다 조금 더 따뜻해요.
Today is a little warmer than yesterday. - 제 방이 동생 방보다 조금 커요.
My room is a little bigger than my younger sibling’s room.
The common structure is:
B보다 조금 더 Adjective
Comparison Without Mentioning Both Things
If the comparison standard is already clear, 보다 may be omitted.
- 이게 더 좋아요.
This one is better. - 저 가방이 더 싸요.
That bag is cheaper. - 오늘이 더 추워요.
Today is colder.
The listener understands what is being compared from the context.
A common conversation is:
- 어느 가방이 더 좋아요?
Which bag is better? - 이 가방이 더 좋아요.
This bag is better.
보다 as a Particle and 보다 as a Verb
보다 can have two different grammatical roles.
보다 as a comparison particle
It attaches directly to a noun and means “than.”
- 서울이 부산보다 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan.
보다 as a verb
The verb 보다 means “to see” or “to watch.”
- 영화를 봐요.
I watch a movie. - 친구를 봤어요.
I saw a friend.
The sentence structure and context show which meaning is intended.
Common Mistakes
Reversing the comparison
The noun followed by 보다 is the standard of comparison.
- 서울이 부산보다 커요.
Seoul is bigger than Busan.
If you reverse the nouns, the meaning changes.
- 부산이 서울보다 커요.
Busan is bigger than Seoul.
Always check which noun comes before 보다.
Adding a space before 보다
보다 attaches directly to the noun.
- 부산보다 ✓
부산 보다 ✗ - 어제보다 ✓
어제 보다 ✗
Placing 더 after the adjective
더 normally comes before the adjective, adverb, or verb that it modifies.
- 더 커요. ✓
커요 더. ✗ - 더 빨리 가요. ✓
빨리 가요 더. ✗
Using 보다 without a comparison standard
보다 must follow the person or thing used as the standard.
- 부산보다 더 커요. ✓
It is bigger than Busan. - 보다 더 커요. ✗
If the comparison standard is omitted, use only 더.
- 이게 더 커요.
This one is bigger.
Using English comparison endings in Korean
Korean does not change the adjective into a special comparative form.
- 더 커요
is bigger - 더 비싸요
is more expensive
Do not try to change the adjective itself based on English forms such as “bigger” or “cheaper.”
Confusing 좋아요 and 좋아해요
Use 이/가 with 좋아요.
커피가 더 좋아요. ✓
Use 을/를 with 좋아해요.
커피를 더 좋아해요. ✓
커피를 더 좋아요. ✗
커피가 더 좋아해요. ✗
Quick Practice
Complete each sentence with 보다 and 더.
- 서울이 부산___ ___ 커요.
- 이 가방이 저 가방___ ___ 비싸요.
- 오늘이 어제___ ___ 추워요.
- 기차가 버스___ ___ 빨라요.
- 한국 음식이 일본 음식___ ___ 매워요.
- 제 동생이 저___ ___ 키가 커요.
Answers
- 서울이 부산보다 더 커요.
- 이 가방이 저 가방보다 더 비싸요.
- 오늘이 어제보다 더 추워요.
- 기차가 버스보다 더 빨라요.
- 한국 음식이 일본 음식보다 더 매워요.
- 제 동생이 저보다 더 키가 커요.
Choose the Correct Meaning
- 저는 차보다 커피를 더 좋아해요.
- I like tea more than coffee.
- I like coffee more than tea.
Answer: I like coffee more than tea.
- 오늘이 어제보다 더 따뜻해요.
- Yesterday is warmer than today.
- Today is warmer than yesterday.
Answer: Today is warmer than yesterday.
- 이 책이 저 책보다 더 어려워요.
- This book is more difficult than that book.
- That book is more difficult than this book.
Answer: This book is more difficult than that book.
Sentence Practice
Complete each sentence with your own information.
- __________이/가 __________보다 더 커요.
- __________이/가 __________보다 더 비싸요.
- 저는 __________보다 __________을/를 더 좋아해요.
- __________이/가 __________보다 더 맛있어요.
- 오늘이 어제보다 더 __________.
- 제 고향이 서울보다 더 __________.
Question Practice
Answer the questions with your own opinion.
- 커피와 차 중에서 뭐가 더 좋아요?
- 여름과 겨울 중에서 어느 계절을 더 좋아해요?
- 책과 영화 중에서 무엇을 더 좋아해요?
- 아침과 저녁 중에서 언제가 더 바빠요?
- 한국 음식 중에서 어떤 음식이 더 맛있어요?
- 버스와 지하철 중에서 뭐가 더 편해요?
Key Points
- 보다 means “than” and attaches directly to a noun.
- The noun followed by 보다 is the standard of comparison.
- 더 means “more” and comes before an adjective, adverb, or verb.
- The common structure is A이/가 B보다 (더) Adjective.
- 더 may be omitted when 보다 already makes the comparison clear.
- Use 훨씬 to show a large difference.
- Use 조금 to show a small difference.
- Use 뭐가 더, 누가 더, or 어디가 더 in comparison questions.
- Use 이/가 with 좋아요 and 을/를 with 좋아해요.
- Korean adjectives do not change into special comparative forms.
Continue Learning
Next grammar:
-고 ✨ Connecting Clauses
