Core Grammar Rule: ~에 비하여 (In Comparison To)
This pattern is used to compare two nouns. It's a bit more formal than the basic comparison particle '~보다' and is often used when making objective comparisons or referring to a standard.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It translates to "in comparison to," "compared with," or "as opposed to." It sets up the first noun as the benchmark against which the second noun is being evaluated.
When to use: Use it when you want to highlight the difference between two things. It's common in both written Korean (news articles, reports) and spoken Korean, especially in polite or formal conversations where you are presenting facts or well-considered opinions. For example, comparing this year's sales to last year's, or comparing the cost of living in two different cities.
Conjugation Rules
Rule: This grammar is very simple. You just attach '~에 비하여' directly after a noun. It doesn't matter if the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Example:
서울 (Seoul) + 에 비하여 → 서울에 비하여 (Compared to Seoul)
작년 (last year) + 에 비하여 → 작년에 비하여 (Compared to last year)
Spoken Form: In casual conversation, it's often shortened to '~에 비해'. For example, '서울에 비해'.
Noun + 에 비하여
Core Grammar Rule: ~(으)ㄹ거니와 (Not Only... But Also...)
This connective ending is used to add another fact or quality to the one already mentioned in the first clause. It emphasizes that both points are true and noteworthy, and they usually support the same overall idea.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It means "not only... but also..." or "and what's more...". It connects two clauses that list positive attributes or facts about the same subject.
When to use: Use it when you want to make a persuasive point by listing multiple strengths. It's slightly more formal or literary than simply connecting sentences with '그리고' (and), so it adds a bit of emphasis and sophistication. You'll hear it in presentations, debates, or when someone is passionately explaining the benefits of something.
Conjugation Rules
Rule: The conjugation depends on the stem of the verb or adjective.
Verb/Adjective stem ending in a vowel or ㄹ: Attach '~ㄹ거니와'. (e.g., 예쁘다 → 예쁠거니와; 살다 → 살거니와)
Verb/Adjective stem ending in a consonant: Attach '~을거니와'. (e.g., 좋다 → 좋을거니와; 먹다 → 먹을거니와)
Vowel/ㄹ Stem: ~ㄹ거니와 / Consonant Stem: ~을거니와
Synonyms & Differences: ~에 비하여 vs. ~보다
Both '~에 비하여' and '~보다' are used for comparisons, but they have different nuances and are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference will make your Korean sound more natural.
~보다
Context: '~보다' is the most common and neutral way to compare two things in everyday conversation. It's versatile and can be used in both casual and polite speech. It simply states that one thing is 'more' or 'less' something than another.
Example: 사과보다 딸기가 더 좋아요. (I like strawberries more than apples.) This is a simple statement of personal preference.
~에 비하여 (~에 비해)
Context: '~에 비하여' is more formal and is often used when the comparison is based on a more objective standard or when you are analyzing something. It implies a more deliberate act of comparing against a benchmark. It's frequently used with data, statistics, or when comparing general conditions (like the cost of living).
Example: 작년에 비하여 올해 물가가 많이 올랐어요. (Compared to last year, prices have risen a lot this year.) This feels more like stating an objective fact than a simple observation.
~보다: General, everyday comparison / ~에 비하여: More formal, objective comparison
The Persuasive Power of ~(으)ㄹ거니와
~(으)ㄹ거니와 is more than just "and"; it's a tool for building a strong, positive argument. It connects two clauses that both support the same main idea, adding an eloquent and persuasive touch.
When to Use It
Use it to list two or more positive qualities or facts about the same subject. It implies that both points are noteworthy strengths.
The second clause often feels like a stronger or more significant point, similar to saying "and what's more..." or "not only that, but also...".
Common Mistakes
Avoid using it for negative points: This grammar is almost exclusively for listing advantages. To list negative points, it's more natural to use ~는 데다가 (e.g., 비싼 데다가 맛도 없어요 - It's expensive, and on top of that, it doesn't taste good).
Don't connect unrelated ideas: Both clauses must logically support the same argument. For example, connecting "The song is good" and "The weather is nice" with ~거니와 would sound unnatural.
소통도 자주 하거니와 리스크가 없어서 좋아 / 노래가 좋거니와 세계관도 흥미진진하니까
Emphasizing Comparisons with ~에 비하여
When using ~에 비하여 to make a comparison, it's very common to add an adverb to emphasize the degree of difference. This makes your statement more descriptive and impactful.
Common Adverbs
훨씬 (much, far): Used to show a significant, clear difference. This is one of the most frequent adverbs used with this pattern.
많이 (a lot, much): Often used when the difference is quantifiable, like prices rising, skills improving, or the number of things increasing.
더 (more): A basic but effective way to indicate a greater degree.
엄청 (tremendously, very): A more casual and emphatic adverb to show a huge difference.
Sentence Structure
The typical structure is [Noun 1]에 비하여 [Noun 2]이/가 [Adverb] [Adjective/Verb].
The adverb is placed right before the adjective or verb that describes the difference.
서울에 비하여 훨씬 쾌적한 것 같아요 / 작년에 비하여 월세도 너무 올랐어요 / 과거에 비하여 그래픽 기술이 엄청 좋아져서