Korean Language: A comparative degree 더, 보다 더, 가장

What do you want to achieve in learning the Korean language? 보다 더 (more), 보다 덜 (less), and eventually, 가장 (the most) proficiency should be your ultimate goals.

In Korean, Comparative degree just like in English it is used to compare two or more things and indicate the relative degree of a quality or characteristic between them. Here are some common ways to form the comparative degree in Korean:

More (더)

Within the Korean language, the term "더" assumes the role of signifying actions or attributes surpassing others, effectively conveying the comparative notion of "more." The use of "더" has various nuances depending on the context of the sentence and whether it is paired with a noun or a verb.

> Use of "더" with Nouns:     

   "더" (deo) is placed before the noun.
> Use of "더" with Verbs:

   "더" (deo) is placed after the verb and before the object (if any) to show that the action is done more than what is usual.

Keep in mind that in some contexts, the use of "더" can be accompanied by verb endings such as "아요" or "어요" to show an adverbial form or state a fact. To use "더" correctly in conversation or writing, understand the context of the sentence and the meaning you want to convey.

More than (보다 더)

It is an adverb used in a sentence to compare one with another. To prove that something is better than something else, it takes an adverb "보다" which means "of", "보다" is combined with "더" which means "more" so that it has a whole meaning which is "more than".

Illustration of the process of making comparison sentences

Less than/ not more than (보다 덜)

The opposite of "더" is "less than" which is called "덜". It is important to distinguish between "보다 덜" and "덜", as they have different connotations in Korean. 

These adverbs, which are positioned before an adjective or verb, explain the contrast effectively. A practical illustration below will help you to understand more:

Illustration of the process of making comparison sentences

Superlative Degree: The most (가장)

"Most" is the highest level for comparative degrees, and it's called the superlative degree. "Most" means that something has the first place over everything else. It denotes top, highest, strongest, greatest, and others.

In the field of linguistic exploration, the term "most" is the highest peak for comparative degrees, shedding light on the path of expression.

In the captivating world of Korean, the use of the word "most" is an art form in itself. "Most" in Korean can be expressed by the word "가장". Here is how to use "가장" in a sentence:

> Adjective:
   "가장" (gajang) is placed before an adjective to show that something has the most extreme trait in the group.
> Verb:
   "가장" (gajang) is placed before the verb to show that the action is performed with the highest level of excellence.
> Noun:

   "가장" (gajang) is placed before a noun to show that something has the highest attribute in a certain category. 

 

If you don't have read the previous lesson about conjunction, click this link to check out How to Use Korean Conjunction in a Sentence!

 

Illustration of the process of making comparison sentences

Korean Negative Sentence

Negative sentences in Korean feature the inclusion of the word "no." This statement is achieved by adding "안" before the verb or adjective, or by attaching "지 않아" after the verb or adjective. 

To improve comprehension, let us explore the following examples:

1. 나는 그 여자 를 [안] 좋아해 or 그 여자 는 좋아하[지 않아]
    나(는) = I ,
    그 = that,
    여자(를) = girl,
    (안)좋아하다 = (don't) like,
    좋아하(지않아) = (don't) like

2. 가방은 [안] 예쁘다 or 그 가방 은 예쁘[지 않아]
    가방(은) = bag,
    (안) 예쁘다 = (not) pretty,
    예쁘(지않아) = (not) pretty

In addition to the aforementioned pair, there exists another term that serves as a means to convey "no" within a sentence. This word, "아니다", functions as the negative counterpart of  "이다", while "없다"  assumes the role of the negative manifestation of "있다". To further illuminate this concept, let's explore the subsequent examples:

1. 나는 가수 가 [아니야] I'm not a singer

    나(는) = I,
    가수 = singer,
    아니야 = am not

2. 나는 많은 돈 이 [없어] I don't have much money

    나(는) = I,
    많은 = much,
    돈(이) = money,
    없다 = have not

The conclusion is "안" and "지 않아" are used for the simple tense "I don't," "I didn't," "I won't," and similar phrases. The word "아니다" is used for sentences that have the meaning of "I am not," "I was not," and "없다" is used for sentences that mean "I don't have."