Compared to: -에 비해(서)

This grammar works by attaching to a noun. That noun becomes the "standard" for your comparison. You are saying, "Looking at [Noun], the other thing is like this." The 서 at the end is optional. You can say -에 비해 or -에 비해서. Both mean exactly the same thing. Adding 서 makes it sound slightly more complete in speech. It’s like choosing between "compared to" and "in comparison with." Most people use them interchangeably without thinking twice. Don't stress over the 서 too much. Just pick the one that feels smoother to say. It’s a very flexible and forgiving pattern for learners.

1. 1Using this grammar is simpler than ordering delivery food. Follow these easy steps to build your sentences.
2. 2Pick the noun you want to compare against.
3. 3Attach -에 비해(서) directly to that noun.
4. 4Add the rest of your sentence about the other item.
5. 5Examples:
6. 6작년 (Last year) + -에 비해(서) → 작년에 비해(서) (Compared to last year)
7. 7가격 (Price) + -에 비해(서) → 가격에 비해(서) (Compared to the price)
8. 8What if you want to compare an action or a verb? You need to turn the verb into a noun first. Use the -(으)ㄴ/는 것 form for this.
9. 9먹는 것 (Eating) + -에 비해(서) → 먹는 것에 비해(서) (Compared to how much I eat)

You should use this when you want to be specific. It is perfect for describing a standard or a baseline.

Scenario 1: At a Job Interview

You might compare your current skills to your past self. "Compared to three years ago, my Korean is great."

Scenario 2: Ordering Food

You might comment on a portion size. "Compared to the price, this pizza is tiny!"

Scenario 3: Travel and Directions

Comparing two cities is a classic use case. "Busan is warm compared to Seoul."

It works great for statistics and objective facts too. If you are presenting data, this is your go-to grammar. It sounds more logical and grounded than using simple "than" markers. Use it when you want to sound thoughtful and balanced.

Don’t use this for very simple, personal preferences. If you just like apples more than oranges, stick to -보다. Saying 사과에 비해서 오렌지를 좋아해요 sounds a bit too formal. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a grocery store.

Also, avoid it when there is no clear standard. You need two distinct things or states to compare. Don’t use it for absolute statements where no comparison exists. If you are just saying "This is big," you don't need it. It requires a partner to make sense. Finally, don't use it with adjectives directly. Always attach it to a noun or a nominalized verb.

A common mistake is forgetting the noun requirement. You cannot attach it directly to an adjective like 비싸다. You must say 비싼 것에 비해(서). Another slip-up is confusing it with -보다. While they are similar, -보다 is much more common for basic "A is more than B."

Native speakers might chuckle if you use it for tiny things. "Compared to this spoon, that spoon is shiny." It’s a bit overkill for such a small observation. Also, watch your particles! Don't add 이/가 or 은/는 to the noun before -에 비해(서). Just stick the grammar right onto the noun base. Yes, even native speakers get lazy with it sometimes. But for you, keeping it clean will show off your skills. Think of it like a grammar traffic light; it guides the flow correctly.

The main rival here is -보다.

• -보다: Focuses on the result of the comparison. "A is better than B."
• -에 비해(서): Focuses on the background or standard. "Relative to B, A is..."

Think of -보다 as a quick snapshot. It is fast, direct, and very common in daily talk. Think of -에 비해(서) as a side-by-side analysis. It feels more deliberate and observational.

Another similar one is -(으)ㄴ/는 반면에. This means "on the other hand." It is used for contrasting two opposite facts. -에 비해(서) is specifically for comparing the degree or quality. Don't mix them up during your next Korean presentation!