보다 (bo-da, boda) · 만큼 (man-keum, mankeum) · 정도 (jeong-do, jeongdo)
보다, 만큼, and 정도 all relate to comparison but differ in expressing the target, standard, and extent of comparison.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Particle indicating something is greater or lesser than a comparison target
When to use
Direct comparison, Specifying comparison target, Expressing superiority or inferiority
The nuance
Used for direct comparison with a target; the comparison target follows ‘~보다’.
Adverbial expression indicating equal or similar degree to comparison target
When to use
Equal degree, Emphasizing comparison standard, Emphasizing extent
The nuance
Indicates similar or equal degree to the comparison target; attaches to nouns.
Indicates amount, degree, or range; used for approximate comparison or estimation
When to use
Approximate estimation, Expressing range, Quantity limit
The nuance
Used to express approximate quantity or range; more for estimation or limits than direct comparison.
이 책은 저 책보다 재미있다.
i chaek-eun jeo chaek-bo-da jae-mi-iss-da., i chaek eun jeo chaek bo da jae mi iss da.
‘보다’ is appropriate for direct comparison between ‘this book’ and ‘that book’.
이 책은 저 책만큼 재미있다.
i chaek-eun jeo chaek-man-keum jae-mi-iss-da., i chaek eun jeo chaek man keum jae mi iss da.
‘만큼’ shows that the fun level of both books is equal or similar.
이 책은 저 책정도 재미있다.
i chaek-eun jeo chaek-jeong-do jae-mi-iss-da., i chaek eun jeo chaek jeong do jae mi iss da.
‘정도’ is for approximate quantities or range, not direct comparison between ‘this book’ and ‘that book’.
나는 너보다 키가 크다.
na-neun neo-bo-da ki-ga keu-da., na neun neo bo da ki ga keu da.
‘보다’ is used for direct height comparison with ‘you’.
나는 너만큼 키가 크다.
na-neun neo-man-keum ki-ga keu-da., na neun neo man keum ki ga keu da.
‘만큼’ indicates similar or equal height to ‘you’.
나는 너정도 키가 크다.
na-neun neo-jeong-do ki-ga keu-da., na neun neo jeong do ki ga keu da.
‘정도’ expresses approximate quantity, not direct comparison with ‘you’.
회의는 2시간 정도 걸렸다.
hoe-ui-neun 2si-gan jeong-do geol-ryeoss-da., hoe ui neun 2si gan jeong do geol ryeoss da.
‘정도’ is suitable for indicating approximate time.
회의는 2시간만큼 걸렸다.
hoe-ui-neun 2si-gan-man-keum geol-ryeoss-da., hoe ui neun 2si gan man keum geol ryeoss da.
‘만큼’ requires a comparison target, which is missing here.
When to use ‘보다’?
Which sentence sounds most natural with ‘만큼’?
Which sentence should use ‘정도’?
What does it mean?
