Korean Comparison Particles: Lessons, Rules and Examples

At a glance

• The set has 12 lessons, from level A1 to A2.
• Four lessons are decision pages that compare similar forms.

What Are Korean Comparison Particles?

A particle (조사, josa) is a short word attached to a noun that shows the noun's job in the sentence. Korean comparison particles are the particles that answer three questions: how does this compare with that, where does it start and stop, and how much is there? The set groups the answers into three jobs.

• Comparing. 보다 means "than", 처럼 and 같이 mean "like", and 만큼 means "as much as".
• Marking limits. 부터 means "from" and 까지 means "until" or "to".
• Counting and limiting amounts. 마다 means "every", 밖에 means "nothing but", and 쯤 means "about".

Here is one sentence with the first job. Listen first, then read the lessons.

오늘은 어제보다 더워요. (oneureun eojeboda deowoyo) "Today is hotter than yesterday." Pronounced [오느른 어제보다 더워요].

English uses word order, "-er" endings and many small words for these jobs. Korean attaches one particle to the noun, which is why the particles need their own set of lessons. The set sits inside the larger group of Korean particles, and the lessons below separate the ideas one at a time.

Where Should You Start with Korean Comparison Particles?

Start with 보다, then the likeness particles, then the time and place pair, and finish with the amount particles. This order keeps each new idea small and lets each lesson build on the one before it.

1. Comparison particle 보다: "than", the simplest comparison and the first at level A1.
2. 처럼 like particle: "like", for manner and look.
3. 같이 together or like: a second "like" that also means "together".
4. 처럼 vs 같이 vs 만큼: the decision between manner and amount.
5. 마다 every particle: "every", one after another.
6. 까지 until particle: the end point of a time or place.
7. 부터 from particle: the starting point of a time or order.
8. 부터 까지 vs 에서 까지: the decision between time pairs and place pairs.
9. 밖에 only particle: "nothing but", always with a negative.
10. 쯤 about particle: "about", for approximate times and amounts.
11. 만 vs 밖에: the decision between neutral "only" and "too little".
12. Korean comparatives and superlatives 더 가장: "more" and "most" with the particles you now know.

Once the order is set, the next section gives each lesson its own summary.

Browse by Topic

Each lesson below has one example sentence.

Comparison Particle 보다

Comparison particle 보다 teaches the pattern A은/는 B보다 (더) adjective and the most common first mistake, putting 보다 on the winner. Example: 오늘은 어제보다 더워요, "Today is hotter than yesterday." Level A1.

처럼 Like Particle

처럼 like particle covers how to say someone does something "like" a model, and why 먹는 처럼 needs 것. Example: 아이처럼 웃어요 (aicheoreom useoyo), "She smiles like a child." Level A2.

같이 Together or Like

같이 together or like explains the word with two jobs, "together" before a verb and "like" after a noun, and the sound [가치]. Example: 같이 가요 (gachi gayo), "Let's go together." Level A2.

처럼 vs 같이 vs 만큼

처럼 vs 같이 vs 만큼 puts the three particles on the same noun and shows how the meaning changes. Example: 엄마처럼 요리해요 versus 오빠만큼 키가 커요. Level A2.

마다 Every Particle

마다 every particle explains "every" and "each one in turn" with nouns of time and people. Example: 날마다 운동해요 (nalmada undonghaeyo), "I exercise every day." Level A2.

까지 until Particle

까지 until particle marks the end of a time or place and explains the extra meaning "even". Example: 오후 여섯 시까지 일해요 (ohu yeoseot sikkaji ilhaeyo), "I work until six p.m." Level A1.

부터 from Particle

부터 from particle marks the start of a time or the first item in a series. Example: 아침부터 비가 와요 (achimbuteo biga wayo), "It has been raining since morning." Level A1.

부터 까지 vs 에서 까지

부터 까지 vs 에서 까지 chooses between the time pair and the place pair for "from ... to". Example: 월요일부터 금요일까지 일해요 versus 집에서 학교까지. Level A2.

밖에 Only Particle

밖에 only particle covers "nothing but" and the rule that it needs a negative. Example: 천 원밖에 없어요 (cheon wonbakke eopseoyo), "I have only 1,000 won." Level A2.

쯤 about Particle

쯤 about particle makes a time or an amount approximate, and shows how it compares with 정도 and 경. Example: 세 시쯤 만나요 (se sijjeum mannayo), "Let's meet around three." Level A2.

만 vs 밖에

만 vs 밖에 sets neutral "only" against "too little". Example: 물만 마셔요 (mulman masyeoyo), "I drink only water," versus 물밖에 안 마셔요, "I drink nothing but water." Level A2.

Korean Comparatives and Superlatives 더 가장

Korean comparatives and superlatives 더 가장 completes the pattern with "more", "less" and "most". Example: 이 가방이 더 비싸요 (i gabangi deo bissayo), "This bag is more expensive." Level A2.

Which Lesson Fits Your Sentence?

Use this table to open the lesson that matches your question.

How Do 처럼 and 만큼 Differ?

처럼 compares how something is done, and 만큼 compares how much. The snapshot below uses the same noun, so you can see the particle change the meaning.

The most common first mistake in this set is putting 보다 on the thing that is bigger. To say "this is bigger than that", put 보다 on the yardstick: 이것이 저것보다 커요. Putting it on the winner, as in 이것보다 저것이 커요, says the opposite: "that is bigger than this". For a full explanation, read Comparison particle 보다.

How Do You Practise This Set?

Practise in three ways. First, finish the practice set at the end of each lesson; the main examples have audio at normal and slow speed. Second, use the Korean particles quiz to check your choices without looking at the table. Third, review the forms with the Korean particles flashcards. To check the verb endings in the examples, use the Korean verb conjugator.

The set of Korean comparison particles sits inside Korean particles. Next to it, many learners read the Korean topic and subject particles and the Korean object particles. Each lesson takes 15 to 25 minutes, so the whole set takes about four hours (the lessons' own estimates, not a promise).

What this set does not cover: topic, subject, object, location and possessive particles have their own sets, and verb endings belong to the conjugation lessons. The set is also written for English speakers who can read Hangul.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Say "than" in Korean?

Use the particle 보다 after the thing you compare against: 오늘은 어제보다 더워요 means "Today is hotter than yesterday". 보다 names the yardstick, and the optional word 더 ("more") makes the comparison clearer. Put 보다 on the smaller or weaker noun, not on the winner. The full lesson is the one on 보다.

What Is the Difference between 만 and 밖에?

Both mean "only". 만 is neutral and takes a positive or negative ending: 천 원만 있어요 means "I have just 1,000 won". 밖에 always needs a negative and stresses "too little": 천 원밖에 없어요 means "I have nothing but 1,000 won". The lesson 만 vs 밖에 compares them in depth.

How Do I Choose between 처럼, 같이 and 만큼?

Ask "how?" or "how much?". 처럼 compares manner or look (아이처럼 웃어요, "smiles like a child"). 같이 does the same job in speech and writing, especially in vivid descriptions and fixed words such as 매일같이, and also means "together"; in conversation many speakers choose 처럼. 만큼 compares amount or degree (오빠만큼 키가 커요, "as tall as my brother"). The decision lesson gives a one-line rule.

Which Lesson in Comparison and Extent Particles Should I Read First?

Start with 보다, because it is the simplest comparison and the first at level A1. Then read 처럼, 같이 and the lesson that compares them with 만큼. For time and place, begin with 까지, then 부터, then the lesson that compares the two range pairs. Finish with 밖에, 쯤 and 만 vs 밖에.