How To Say 'As Much As' In Korean (만큼)
When studying Korean, the grammar point ‘만큼’ is a crucial component for expressing degrees of comparison. This pattern can be translated as ‘as much as,’ ‘equal to,’ or even ‘to the degree that.’
In this post, we will explore its various uses, structures, and practical examples to provide clarity and aid your Korean language journey.
Grammar rule: N + 만큼 = As much as N / To the degree of N
Basic use of 만큼
만큼 allows for comparisons, indicating something is on par with another or to a certain extent.
She is as cute as IU.
My students are as smart as me.
I am almost as tall as you.
This year seems to be as hot as last year.
During the winter, Busan is not as cold as Seoul.
I am not as good at baseball as she is.
Advanced use and intensification
Diving deeper, 만큼 can also be used in various structures, including with verbs and adjectives. Plus, it can be intensified for emphasis.
You have to pay for the water according to how much you used.
Given how hard I tried, I think I'll get a good result.
You know as much about him as I do.
You can eat as much as you want between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
As busy as he is, maintaining a work life balance is still important to him.
Intensification with 눈곱:
The term 눈곱 (‘eye crust’) can be used to intensify the expression, stressing the minimal or non-existent degree.
I don't give a damn!
There's not even the slightest chance that they'll win.
The Korean grammar point 만큼 is versatile and essential for expressing comparison and degrees.
Whether talking about similarity, equivalency, or emphasizing the lack of something, this pattern plays a key role. With practice and the examples provided, mastering this grammar pattern will certainly enhance your Korean proficiency.