Expression dictionary — full article
Comparison & Degree · than; compared to
The particle -보다 is a fundamental component of Korean grammar used to express comparison. It is attached directly to a noun or pronoun, marking it as the standard against which something else is being compared. This particle is essential for constructing sentences that indicate one item is "more than," "less than," "better than," or "different from" another.
-보다 is primarily used to establish a comparative relationship between two entities. The noun or pronoun to which -보다 is attached represents the reference point or the item being surpassed, exceeded, or contrasted. It often appears in conjunction with comparative adverbs such as 더 (more), 덜 (less), or adjectives that inherently express comparison (e.g., 좋다, 크다, 많다). While 더 and 덜 are frequently used for emphasis, they are not strictly necessary if the comparative nature is clear from the context or the adjective itself. The structure is typically: [Compared Item] [Standard Item]-보다 [Comparative Adjective/Adverb].
The particle -보다 is remarkably straightforward in its application. It attaches directly to the end of a noun or pronoun without any changes based on the preceding sound (i.e., no distinction between consonant or vowel endings).
While -보다 is the primary particle for "than," it's often paired with 더 (more) or 덜 (less) to explicitly state the degree of comparison. For instance, "A is taller than B" would be "A는 B보다 더 키가 커요." If the comparison is clear, 더 can sometimes be omitted. -보다 can also be used with numbers to mean "more than" or "less than" a certain quantity, as in "열 명보다 많아요" (There are more than ten people). It is a versatile particle that forms the backbone of comparative expressions in Korean.