더 vs 가장: Difference Between Comparative and Superlative

더 (deo) · 가장 (ga-jang, gajang)

더 expresses comparative degree between two items, while 가장 indicates the superlative among multiple items.

Comparison of Korean words 더 and 가장 for comparative and superlative usage

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

(deo)

Indicates a greater degree between two compared items

When to use

two-item comparison, simple comparison, increase expression

The nuance

더 is used as a comparative to compare two items or states.

가장(ga-jang, gajang)

Indicates the highest or best among multiple items

When to use

top among many, superlative expression, emphasizing the best

The nuance

가장 is used as a superlative to indicate the top or best among many items.

Real-world examples

  • 이 사과는 저 사과보다 더 달다.

    i sa-gwa-neun jeo sa-gwa-bo-da deo dal-da., i sa gwa neun jeo sa gwa bo da deo dal da.

    Comparing two apples, so '더' as comparative is appropriate.

  • 이 사과는 가장 달다.

    i sa-gwa-neun ga-jang dal-da., i sa gwa neun ga jang dal da.

    Indicating the sweetest apple among many, so '가장' is correct.

  • 이 사과는 더 최고다.

    i sa-gwa-neun deo choe-go-da., i sa gwa neun deo choe go da.

    '더' and '최고' both express comparative/superlative, making it redundant and incorrect.

  • 그 영화는 다른 영화보다 더 재미있다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun da-reun yeong-hwa-bo-da deo jae-mi-iss-da., geu yeong hwa neun da reun yeong hwa bo da deo jae mi iss da.

    Comparing two movies, '더' correctly expresses comparative.

  • 그 영화는 가장 재미있다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun ga-jang jae-mi-iss-da., geu yeong hwa neun ga jang jae mi iss da.

    Indicating the most fun movie among many, so '가장' is appropriate.

  • 그 영화는 더 재미있다 최고다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun deo jae-mi-iss-da choe-go-da., geu yeong hwa neun deo jae mi iss da choe go da.

    Combining comparative and superlative in one phrase is unnatural.

  • 나는 더 열심히 공부한다.

    na-neun deo yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-han-da., na neun deo yeol sim hi gong bu han da.

    Using '더' to express studying harder compared to before or another.

  • 나는 가장 열심히 공부한다.

    na-neun ga-jang yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-han-da., na neun ga jang yeol sim hi gong bu han da.

    Using '가장' to indicate the person who studies the hardest among many.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word indicates a greater degree between two items?

    두 대상 중 더 큰 정도를 나타내는 단어는?(dudae-sangjungdeokeunjeong-do-reulna-ta-nae-neundan-eo-neun?, dudaesangjungdeokeunjeongdoreulnatanaeneundaneoneun?)
  2. Which word indicates the best among many items?

    여러 대상 중 최고를 나타내는 단어는?(yeo-reodae-sangjungchoe-go-reulna-ta-nae-neundan-eo-neun?, yeoreodaesangjungchoegoreulnatanaeneundaneoneun?)
  3. What is the role of '더' in "이 책이 다른 책보다 더 재미있다."?

    "이 책이 다른 책보다 더 재미있다."에서 '더'의 역할은?("ichaek-ida-reunchaek-bo-dadeojae-mi-iss-da."e-seo'deo'uiyeok-hal-eun?, "ichaekidareunchaekbodadeojaemiissda."eseo'deo'uiyeokhaleun?)
  4. What does '가장' mean in "그는 반에서 가장 키가 크다."?

    "그는 반에서 가장 키가 크다."에서 '가장'은 어떤 의미인가?("geu-neunban-e-seoga-jangki-gakeu-da."e-seo'ga-jang'euneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga?, "geuneunbaneseogajangkigakeuda."eseo'gajang'euneotteonuimiinga?)

More comparisons to explore

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