보다 (comparison) - Than

보다 is a comparison particle. It attaches directly to the noun that is being used as the standard for comparison. In simpler terms, it marks the item you're comparing *against*. If you say 'Coffee is better than tea,' 보다 would attach to 'tea.' The item that is *more* or *less* of something comes after 보다, or is the main subject of the sentence. It helps you declare superiority, inferiority, or just a difference. You're basically drawing a verbal line in the sand. It's usually followed by an adjective or adverb indicating the difference. Sometimes, 더 (more) or 덜 (less) also join the party for extra emphasis. But even without them, 보다 does its job perfectly. Don't worry, 보다 is not judging, just comparing!

1. 1Using 보다 is delightfully straightforward. It's one of those grammar points that just 'sticks on.'
2. 2Take the noun you want to compare *against*.
3. 3Attach 보다 directly to that noun.
4. 4Noun + 보다
5. 5That's it! No weird conjugations, no stem changes, no irregular verbs hiding in the shadows. It's one of the easiest attachments in Korean grammar. Seriously, it's almost too simple, right? But its simplicity hides its power!
6. 6Let's see it in action:
7. 7나 (I) + 보다 → 나보다 (than me)
8. 8책 (book) + 보다 → 책보다 (than a book)
9. 9서울 (Seoul) + 보다 → 서울보다 (than Seoul)

You'll use 보다 whenever you want to compare two nouns directly based on some quality.

• Comparing two items: This is its main superpower. You want to say one thing is bigger, faster, or tastier than another. 사과가 바나나보다 더 싸요. (Apples are cheaper than bananas.) This is your bread and butter scenario.
• Expressing preference: When choosing between two things, 보다 helps state your favorite. 저는 커피보다 차를 더 좋아해요. (I like tea more than coffee.) It’s perfect for ordering food or picking activities.
• Quantities or amounts: You can compare numbers or sizes. 어제보다 오늘 더 바빠요. (Today is busier than yesterday.) This is useful for describing your workload or even the weather.
• With adjectives and adverbs: 보다 often works hand-in-hand with adjectives like 크다 (to be big), 작다 (to be small), 빠르다 (to be fast), or adverbs like 더 (more), 덜 (less). 이 영화는 저 영화보다 재미있어요. (This movie is more interesting than that movie.) It makes your comparisons super clear.
• General statements: Sometimes, you just want to state a general truth. 건강이 돈보다 중요해요. (Health is more important than money.) Preach!

While 보다 is super versatile, there are times it's not the best fit or could sound awkward.

• When comparing similarities, not differences: If you want to say something is *like* or *as much as* something else, 보다 isn't your guy. For 'like,' you'd use 처럼 or 같이. For 'as much as,' 만큼 is the word. 너는 엄마보다 예쁘다. (You are prettier than Mom) is fine, but 너는 엄마처럼 예쁘다. (You are pretty *like* Mom) uses a different particle.
• When the comparison is implied or already clear: Sometimes, adding 보다 can be redundant. If you say 이것이 더 좋아요. (This is better.), and the context clearly indicates what 'this' is better *than*, you don't always need to explicitly add 그것보다 (than that).
• When comparing to yourself in a self-deprecating way (sometimes): While 나보다 is grammatically correct (그는 나보다 키가 커요. - He is taller than me.), some expressions might feel a bit stronger with 나에게는 (for me) or other constructions depending on nuance. But for simple comparisons, 나보다 is perfectly fine.
• With verbs directly (without -는 것): You can't just attach 보다 to a verb stem. You need to nominalize the verb first using -는 것. For example, 운동하는 것보다 쉬는 것이 좋아요. (Resting is better than exercising.) This isn't really a 'don't use' but a 'use it correctly' rule. Don't let this little 것 trick you!

Even pros trip up sometimes! Here are a couple to watch out for:

• Incorrect placement: Remember, 보다 always attaches to the noun that is the *standard* of comparison. 나는 그 사람보다 키가 커요. (I am taller than that person.) Not 나는 키가 그 사람보다 커요. (though this is sometimes used in informal speech, it's less standard). The 보다 phrase generally goes right after the subject or immediately before the adjective/adverb it modifies.
• Confusing with 더 and 가장: 보다 sets up a relative comparison (A vs. B). 더 means 'more' and often appears *with* 보다. 가장 means 'most' and is used for superlative comparisons (one thing compared to *all* others). 이것이 가장 좋아요. (This is the best.) You wouldn't use 보다 with 가장 because 가장 already implies the ultimate comparison. It’s like putting sprinkles on a cake that already has a mountain of frosting.
• Omitting the second noun when it's unclear: If you say 저는 사과보다 좋아해요. (I like more than apples.), it's incomplete. What do you like *more* than apples? You need the second noun: 저는 사과보다 바나나를 더 좋아해요. (I like bananas more than apples.) Don't leave your listener guessing!

• 보다 vs. 더: 보다 (than) specifies the comparison baseline (e.g., 바나나보다 - than bananas). 더 (more) intensifies the adjective or adverb (e.g., 더 예뻐요 - prettier). They often work together: 사과가 바나나보다 더 커요. (The apple is *bigger* than the banana.) 더 just adds that extra oomph to the adjective.
• 보다 vs. 가장: As mentioned, 보다 compares two or a few specific things. 가장 (most/best/tallest, etc.) implies comparing one item against *all* items in a group. 이것이 저것보다 좋아요. (This is better than that.) vs. 이것이 가장 좋아요. (This is the best.) 가장 is like the champion of comparisons!
• 보다 vs. 처럼 / 같이: These mean 'like' or 'as.' They express similarity, not difference. 너는 엄마보다 예쁘다. (You are prettier than Mom.) vs. 너는 엄마처럼 예쁘다. (You are pretty *like* Mom.) Totally different vibe!
• 보다 vs. 만큼: 만큼 means 'as much as' or 'as...as.' It denotes equality or a similar degree. 나도 너만큼 키가 커요. (I'm as tall as you.) This expresses sameness, while 보다 highlights a difference.