Between this t-shirt and that hat, which is cheaper? (and, than)

In Korean, connecting and comparing things is straightforward. 하고 links nouns like "and," while 보다 is used after a noun to mean "than" for comparisons.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: 하고 means "and" or "with," and is used to list two or more nouns. 보다 means "than" and is used to compare two things.

When to use: Use 하고 when you're talking about multiple items together, like "this and that." Use 보다 when you're directly comparing two items, such as saying one is "bigger than" or "cheaper than" another. These are attached directly to the noun without any space.

Conjugation Rules

Rule: Both 하고 and 보다 are particles that attach directly to the end of a noun, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant. There's no complex conjugation to worry about.

Noun + 하고: 사과하고 바나나 (apple and banana) / 책하고 연필 (book and pencil)

Noun + 보다: 사과보다 (than an apple) / 책보다 (than a book)

Noun + 하고 (and) / Noun + 보다 (than)

While 하고 is a common way to say "and," Korean has other connectors with different nuances.

하고 (hago)

Context: 하고 is widely used in both spoken and written Korean. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations, making it a safe and versatile choice for learners. It's very common in everyday conversation.

Example: 저는 빵하고 우유를 샀어요. (I bought bread and milk.)

(이)랑 (irang/rang)

Context: (이)랑 is primarily used in casual, spoken Korean, especially among friends and family. It feels softer and more conversational than 하고. Use 이랑 after a consonant and 랑 after a vowel.

Example: 나 빵이랑 우유 샀어. (I bought bread and milk.)

Note: Avoid using (이)랑 in formal writing or presentations.

Do: 빵하고 우유 (Spoken/Written) (O) / Don't: 빵이랑 우유 (Spoken Only) (O)

A very common way to ask for a comparison between two items is by using the pattern [Noun 1]하고 [Noun 2] 중에...?, which means 'Between [Noun 1] and [Noun 2]...?'

The Structure

This phrase sets up a choice between two options. It's usually followed by a question word like 뭐가 (which/what) and a comparative adjective.

The full pattern is: [Noun 1]하고 [Noun 2] 중에 뭐가 더 [Adjective]?

Example: 저 하얀색 모자하고 이 파란색 모자 중에 뭐가 더 인기가 많아요? (Between that white hat and this blue hat, which one is more popular?)

Common Questions

You can use this pattern to ask about various qualities when shopping.

뭐가 더 싸요? (Which is cheaper?)

뭐가 더 예뻐요? (Which is prettier?)

뭐가 더 마음에 들어요? (Which one do you like more?)

A하고 B 중에 뭐가 더 싸요? / A하고 B 중에 뭐가 더 마음에 들어요?

When asked which item you prefer, or when giving your opinion to a friend, you can use these simple patterns to express your choice.

Stating What You Like

To say which item you like more, use the pattern [Noun]이/가 더 좋아요 or [Noun]이/가 더 마음에 들어요.

Example: When asked 뭐가 더 마음에 들어요? (Which one do you like more?), you can answer, 저는 파란색이 더 좋아요. (I like the blue one more.)

Giving an Opinion or Agreeing

To suggest what might look good on a friend, you can say [Noun]이/가 너한테 더 잘 어울릴 것 같아. (I think the [Noun] would look better on you.)

To agree with a friend's choice or observation, you can simply start with 맞아. (That's right / I agree.)

저는 파란색이 더 좋아요. / 노란색이 너한테 더 잘 어울릴 것 같아.

How you ask for prices and compare items changes depending on who you're talking to.

Asking Prices

Context: When speaking to a store owner, an older person, or someone you don't know, you must use the polite ~요 ending. With a close friend, you can use the casual 반말 form.

Polite Example: 이 모자 얼마예요? (How much is this hat?)

Casual Example: 이 모자 얼마야? (How much is this hat?)

Making Comparisons

Context: The same rule applies to comparison sentences. The core structure (A가 B보다 더 ~) remains the same, but the verb ending signals the level of politeness.

Polite Example: 하얀색이 파란색보다 더 비싸요. (The white one is more expensive than the blue one.)

Casual Example: 하얀색이 파란색보다 더 비싸. (The white one is more expensive than the blue one.)

Polite: 얼마예요? / ~보다 더 비싸요. / Casual: 얼마야? / ~보다 더 비싸.