대로 (as, according to) - As, According To

At its core, 대로 expresses that an action or state follows another thing perfectly. It connects to both nouns and verbs, though the way it attaches changes slightly. When you use it with a noun, it means "according to that noun." When used with a verb, it means "in the same way that the action was performed." It can also mean "as soon as" when used in specific contexts. It is like a grammar bridge. It links what happened (or what exists) to what you are doing now. If you do something 말한 대로, you are doing it "as you said." No surprises, no deviations. Just a clean, direct copy of the original intent.

1. 1Using 대로 is simple once you master the modifiers.
2. 2With Nouns: Just slap it right onto the noun. No spaces!
3. 3약속 (promise) + 대로 = 약속대로 (as promised)
4. 4법 (law) + 대로 = 법대로 (according to the law)
5. 5With Verbs (Past Tense): Use the -(으)ㄴ modifier.
6. 6보다 (to see) → 본 대로 (as I saw)
7. 7듣다 (to hear) → 들은 대로 (as I heard)
8. 8With Verbs (Present Tense): Use the -는 modifier.
9. 9하다 (to do) → 하는 대로 (as I do/as one does)
10. 10느끼다 (to feel) → 느끼는 대로 (as I feel)
11. 11With Verbs (Immediate Action): Use -는 대로 to mean "as soon as."
12. 12도착하다 (to arrive) → 도착하는 대로 (as soon as I arrive)
13. 13끝나다 (to finish) → 끝나는 대로 (as soon as it finishes)

Use 대로 whenever there is a standard or a previous action to follow.

• Ordering Food: "Please make it as usual" (늘 먹던 대로 해주세요).
• Asking Directions: "Go as the map shows" (지도에 나온 대로 가세요).
• Job Interviews: "I answered as I prepared" (준비한 대로 대답했어요).
• Following Instincts: "Just do as your heart feels" (마음이 가는 대로 하세요).

It is also perfect for "as soon as" scenarios. If you are waiting for a friend, you might say, "Call me as soon as you get here" (도착하는 대로 전화해). It sounds much more urgent and natural than using other "when" patterns.

Do not use 대로 when you are comparing sizes or quantities. That is a job for 만큼. If you say "I ate as much as him," 대로 will sound very strange. Also, avoid using it for "according to" when citing a source like the news or a person's opinion. In those cases, -에 따르면 is usually better. 대로 is more about following a method or a physical/mental state. Think of 대로 as a manual and -에 따르면 as a news report. You follow a manual, but you listen to a report.

One big mistake is the spacing. With nouns, there is no space (선생님 말씀대로). With verbs, there is a space after the modifier (말씀하신 대로). It is a tiny detail that drives learners crazy, but native speakers notice it. Another mistake is mixing up past and present modifiers. If you say 하는 대로 when you meant "as I did," people might get confused about the timing. Also, be careful with 마음대로. While it means "as you like," in formal settings, it can sound a bit rebellious or rude. Use it with friends, but maybe not your CEO.

People often confuse 대로 with 따라. While 따라 also means "according to," it is often used for trends or specific days. For example, 오늘따라 means "especially today." 대로 is much more about following a specific pattern or instruction.

Another contrast is 대로 vs 만큼.

• 대로: Follows a manner or state (How?).
• 만큼: Matches a degree or amount (How much?).

If you want to say "Do as much as you can," use 만큼. If you want to say "Do it as I showed you," use 대로.