안녕하세요! 토미입니다.
Let’s study Korean progressively!
Today’s grammar is, first, 듯이 “as / like,” second, (이)라도, “even / something like ,” and third, 만 못하다 “not match up to / to be worse than.”
Especially, the last grammar, 만 못하다, could be a little bit confusing.
For example, if I say
먼 친척이 가까운 이웃만 못해요
Then you might translate this literally, and it becomes
Relatives who live far away cannot do what neighbors who live close.
You might wonder, “What? What does it mean that relatives can do what neighbors can?” What??? you know.
But if you learn today’s grammar, you get to know that you have to translate this as
“Relatives are no match for neighbors.”
I will explain this kind of rule along with the sample sentences!
And, let’s become a super intermediate master by learning more and more useful expressions! And pass TOPIK II level 4! You can do it, for sure!
그럼 시작할게요!
듯이
The first grammar, 듯이 means “as / like.”
You use this to indicate that the state of affairs or the action in the following clause appears to be just like the same as the state of affairs or the action in the preceding clause.
For example, when I say, 기쁘다 “(I’m) happy,” it will be more convincing if I say, 날아갈 듯이 기쁘다, “(I am) so happy like I want to fly away!”
As you can see, the speaker wants to express that “기쁘다” “I am happy” are just like the same as “날아가다 “to fly away.”
In addition, you might find this expression in idioms often. For instance, 불 보듯이 뻔하다 means “to be as obvious as seeing a fire.” By using this idiom, you can specify how obvious it is.
There are two ways to use this grammar. The first usage is as simple as pouring hot water in cup noodles.
Listen carefully. Come here. (Quietly) You add 듯이 to the stem. Tada～！
For example, 가다, “to go” will be 가듯이 “as (you) go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹듯이 “as (you) eat.” This is as simple as ABC! Right?
You can apply the same in the adjectives. For nouns, you add 이듯이 regardless of a final consonant.
The grammatical structures will be
Verbs or adjectives ＋ 듯이
Nouns ＋이듯이
But the tricky point is this!! It has one more usage.
The second usage is to apply a noun modifier according to the tense of a verb stem. Thus, it will be like 는 듯이.
This meaning is very similar to the first one 듯이,“as / like.” But 는 듯이 adds more feeling of hypothesis or uncertainty. Since its meaning is more speculative, the translation will be “as if / seems like.”
For example, 가다, “to go” will be 가는 듯이, “as if (you) go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 듯이 “as if (you) eat.”
For adjectives, you attach (으)ㄴ 듯이. For nouns, you attach 인 듯이.
Then, let’s read a sample sentence that uses the first usage. You simply add 듯이 “as / like” to a verb stem.
여러분이 알고 계시듯이 지금 세계에서는 많은 사람들이 한국어를 공부하고 있습니다.
Just as everybody knows, currently in the world, many people are learning Korean.
Here, 알고 계시다 is “to know.” This is the honorific form of 알고 있다. You add 듯이 to the stem to make 알고 계시듯이, “just as (you) know.”
Next, I will introduce idioms that use 듯이 “as / like.”
돈을 물 쓰듯 하면 항상 돈이 부족한 법이다.
If you use money like using water, you never have enough money.
Here, 물 쓰다 is “to use water.” You add 듯 to the stem to make 물 쓰듯, “like using water.”
As you can see, you can use not only 듯이 but also 듯 alone.
This expression, 돈을 물 쓰듯 하다 is an idiom, which means “to waste money” or “to use money recklessly.”
You can try it to a Korean friend! Your friend will be stunned for sure!
Next, let’s look at the second usage, 는 듯이 “as if !”
제 친구는 주식에 대해서 전혀 모르면서 저한테는 전부 아는 듯이 이야기해요.
My friend, although she does not know anything about the stock market, she speaks as if she knows everything about it.
Indeed, being pretentious can be troublesome.
Anyway, in this example sentence, 알다 is “to know.” You add 는 듯이 to the stem to make 아는 듯이, “as if (she) knows.”
Let’s read the next sample sentence with 는 듯이 “as if.”
제 남편은 매일 야근을 하는 듯이 이야기했지만 실제로는 동료랑 술을 마시고 있었어요.
My husband said as if he was working overtime every day, but in fact, he was drinking alcohol with his colleagues.
Wow!! This wife must be very upset to say this!!
Here, 야근을 하다 is “to work overtime.” You add 는 듯이 to the stem to make 야근을 하는 듯이, “as if (he) was working overtime.”
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding of 듯이 with some quizzes. Which one is the correct answer?
다른 남자 친구들이 100일 기념 파티를 ( ) 너도 해 줘.
Just like other boyfriends hold a one hundredth day party for their girlfriends, hold one for me, too.
(1)올리듯이 (2)해 주듯이
Wow! There will be a lot of work once Koreans become couples.
The correct answer is number two.
파티를 해 주다 means “to hold a party.” You add 듯이 to the stem to make 파티를 해 주듯이, “just like (subjects) hold a party.”
Number one is close, but wrong because we don’t say 파티를 올리다. This is an awkward expression, so don’t use it.
Then, let’s read the sentence together!
다른 남자 친구들이 100일 기념 파티를 (해 주듯이) 너도 해 줘.
Please spoil yourself as if you were a Korean girl. Then, let’s try the next quiz with 는 듯이 “as if”!!
그 사람은 마치 ( ) 까칠한 말투를 사용했어요.
As if he was fighting, he spoke harshly.
(1) 싸움을 하는 듯이 (2) 싸우고 하듯이
The correct answer is number one.
Here, 싸움을 하다 means “to fight.” You add 듯이 to the stem to make 싸움을 하는 듯이, “as if (sub) was fighting.”
Here, let’s learn the word 까칠하다. When you use this to refer to someone’s personality, it means “to be harsh, hard to please, or grumpy.”
Number two, 싸우고 하듯이 is grammatically incorrect. The correct one is 싸우고 있듯이. Ok?
Now, let’s read the sentence together!
그 사람은 마치 (싸움을 하는 듯이) 까칠한 말투를 사용했어요.
Please read this sentence as if you were explaining the situation to your friend.
－(이)라도
The second grammar, (이)라도 means, “even / something like.” You often use this, when you want to say, “This is not the best, but it is okay for now.” In other words, you want to express your compromise.
Can you feel the nuance?
For the usage, you use this grammar to only nouns. If a noun has a final consonant, you add 이라도. If a noun does not have a final consonant, you attach 라도. Easy as pie！ 냠냠냠.
Nouns ＋(이)라도
Then, let’s read a sample sentence to make sure you understand 이라도 “something like.”
저녁에는 졸리니까 케이팝이라도 들으면서 공부하고 싶어요.
I’m sleepy in the evening, so I want to study while listening to something like K-pop.
Here, 케이팝 is “K-pop.” Since it has a final consonant, you add 이라도 to make 케이팝이라도, “something like K-pop.”
The speaker thinks about one of the options, which is to listen to K-pop while studying.
Let’s read the next sample sentence with 라도 “or something.”
그렇게 건강이 안 좋다면 담배라도 끊는 게 어때요?
If you are not feeling healthy, why don’t you quit smoking or something?
Here, since 담배 “smoking” does not have a final consonant, you add 라도 to make 담배라도, “smoking or something.”
It could be difficult to ask someone to quit smoking. Right? So, the speaker tries to say it gently while using (이)라도. Let’s read the next sample sentence with 라도 “even.”
사소한 집안일이라도 남녀가 분담하는 것이 중요해요.
It is important for men and women to share even minor household chores.
Indeed, house chores are not really fun things to do. So, it’s good to share the responsibility.
Here, 집안일 is a “house chore.” Since this has a final consonant, you add 이라도 to make 집안일이라도, “even house chores.”
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding of 이라도 with some quizzes. Which one is the correct answer?
아직 시간이 많이 남았으니까 ( ) 한 잔 마실까요?
Since we still have a lot of time remaining, shall we have coffee or something?
(1)커피이라도 (2)커피라도
The correct answer is number two.
Since 커피 “coffee” does not have a final consonant, you add 라도 to make 커피라도, “coffee or something.”
Number one 커피이라도 is grammatically wrong, so don’t use it!
Then, let’s read it together!
아직 시간이 많이 남았으니까 (커피라도) 한 잔 마실까요?
Please read this as you suggest it to someone.
Then, let’s try the next quiz!
뭐? 비행기 예약을 못해서 한국에 가지 못한다고? ( ) 타고 가!
What? Can’t go to Korea because you can’t reserve a flight? Ride a ship or something!
(1)배라도 (2)전철이라도
The correct answer is number one.
배 is a “ship.” Since it does not have a final consonant, you add 라도 to make, 배라도, “ship or something.”
I can imagine how desperate the speaker is.
Number two 전철이라도 means “subway or something.” It is different from the text. Right?
Then, let’s read it together!
뭐? 비행기 예약을 못해서 한국에 가지 못한다고? (배라도) 타고 가!
Please read this to convey your desperation.
만 못하다
Last, but not least!!! Let’s see 만 못하다. It literally means, “cannot do only.” But in fact, it means, “not match up to / to be worse than.”
In other words, it means, “compared to something, (sub) does not have enough ability.” Since it is confusing to literally translate this grammar, you might want to memorize its meaning entirely.
For usage, you add 만 못하다 to a noun. This is a piece of cake, isn’t it? Mmm
Nouns ＋만 못하다
If you use a verb or an adjective, you use a noun modifier. In the case of a verb, you use 는 것. In the case of an adjective, you use (으)ㄴ 것.
In other words, you change a verb or an adjective to a noun.
Now, let’s practice 만 못하다, “does not match up to ” with some sample sentences.
작은 아들도 공부를 잘 하지만 사실 형만 못해요.
The younger son can study well, but he does not match up to his older brother.
Here,형 is an “older brother.” You add 만 못하다 to make 형만 못하다, meaning “does not match up to (his) older brother.” If the younger brother hears this, he might be disappointed.
Next, I prepared a sample sentence where you can complain about bad tasting food. You can see 만 못하다 “worse than” here. Let’s read it.
사장님! 가게 음식이 편의점 도시락만 못하잖아요.
Manager! Your restaurant’s food is worse than a convenience store bento!
Oh, no!! I guess the food must have been really bad.
Here, 편의점 도시락 is a “convenience store bento.” You add 만 못하다 to this to make 편의점 도시락만 못하다, “to be worse than a convenience store bento.”
Here, let’s pay attention to 사장님. In Korea, we call a manager of a store such as a restaurant as 사장님, “president,” rather than 점장, “store manager.” It’s a subtle cultural difference.
Let’s read the next sample sentence with 만도 못해요 “worse than.”
오래 쓴 컴퓨터가 너무 느려져서 속도가 스마트폰만도 못해요.
My computer which I used for a long time has gotten so slow that its speed is worse than my smartphone.
Here, 스마트폰 is a “smartphone.” You add 만도 못하다 to make 스마트폰만도 못하다, “worse than a smartphone.”
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding of 만 못하다, “does not match up to ” with some quizzes. Which one is the correct answer?
아무리 설명을 해도 결국 듣는 것은 직접 ( ).
However much I explain, in the end, hearing does not match up to seeing directly.
(1) 보는 것만 못합니다 (2)보는 것과 같습니다.
Seeing is believing! Right?
The correct answer is number one.
보는 것 means “seeing.”You add 만 못합니다 to this to make 보는 것만 못합니다, “does not match up to seeing.”
Number two, 보는 것과 같습니다 means “it is the same as seeing.” This is not what the speaker wants to say, right?
Now, let’s read the sentence together!
아무리 설명을 해도 결국 듣는 것은 직접 (보는 것만 못합니다 ).
Please read this sentence to communicate it to your friend.
Then, let’s try the next quiz!
제가 돈을 많이 버는 것처럼 보이지만 운영 비용을 내고 나면 ( )
It looks like I earn a lot of money. However, once I pay off the operation fee, my earnings do not even match up with the monthly salary of a corporate employee.
(1)회사원 월급만도 못해요 (2)회사원 못해요.
The correct answer is number one.
회사원 월급 is a “corporate employee’s salary.” You add 만도 못하다 to the noun to make 회사원 월급만도 못해요, “do not even match up with the monthly salary of corporate employee.”
Number two 회사원 못해요 is grammatically wrong, so don’t use it!
Then, let’s read the sentence together!
제가 돈을 많이 버는 것처럼 보이지만 운영 비용을 내고 나면 (회사원 월급만도 못해요).
Please read this sentence to honestly share about your circumstances.
Homework
Now, I will share a wonderful saying. Please look for today’s grammar in the quotes.
어두운 밤이 지나면 밝은 아침이 오듯이, 힘든 일도 시간이 흐르면 해결된다.
Just as a bright morning comes after a dark night, difficult problems are resolved over time.
Wow!! That’s so true!!
If you have a concern, you can recall this sentence.
Now, I will announce today’s homework! There are two parts to the homework. First, please make three sentences using today’s grammar.
First, try to make a sentence using 듯이, “just as.”
For example,
저는 이번 시험에서 공부를 안 했기 때문에 결과가 불 보듯이 뻔해요.
I didn’t study for this exam, so the result is as obvious as seeing a fire.
Here, 불 보듯이 뻔하다 is an idiom, which means “to be as obvious as seeing a fire.”
If something is obvious, you can use this idiom.
Second, try to compromise something using (이)라도, “even / something like.”
For example,
가끔이라도 좋으니까 제 입장도 생각해 주세요.
Even if it’s only once in a while, please be considerate of my situation.
It sounds like a sentence that you can use at a company.
Third, try to make a sentence using 만 못하다 “not match up to / to be worse than.”
For example,
축구선수로서의 제 능력은 아버지만 못합니다.
My ability as a soccer player does not match up to my father’s.
Please do not literally translate, but cram it in your brain that 만 못하다 means “does not match up to.”
The second homework is to memorize new words. Please memorize the forty words from number 1921 to number 1960 on page 25 in the intermediate vocabulary list. There is a vocabulary quiz of forty words on my website, so, just feel free to try it. The link is in the description box.
That’s all for today! Great job, everyone! I always get energy from your comments! Please flood the comment box!
그럼 오늘도 행복 가득, 웃음 가득한 하루 되세요！
한국어 화이팅, 화이팅, 화이팅！！
