As much as one wants: -ㄹ/을 대로

This pattern usually works by repeating the same verb or adjective. You take the stem, add -ㄹ/을 대로, and then follow it with the same word in its conjugated form. For example, instead of just saying 지쳤어요 (I'm tired), you say 지칠 대로 지쳤어요 (I'm exhausted to the limit). This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis. It tells the listener, "I'm not just a little tired; I've reached the end of my rope." It can also imply that because you've reached this limit, a certain result is inevitable. It’s like a boiling pot that finally overflows. You aren't just heating up; you are at the boiling point.

1. 1Setting this up is quite simple once you know the stem of your word. Just follow these steps:
2. 2Identify the verb or adjective stem.
3. 3If the stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄹ 대로.
4. 4If the stem ends in a consonant, add -을 대로.
5. 5Repeat the original verb or adjective in its final conjugated form (usually past or present tense).
6. 6Example (Vowel): 나쁘다 (to be bad) → 나쁠 대로 나빠지다 (to become as bad as it can get).
7. 7Example (Consonant): 늙다 (to be old) → 늙을 대로 늙다 (to be as old as one can get).
8. 8Example (ㄹ irregular): 멀다 (to be far) → 멀 대로 멀다 (to be as far as it can get).

You’ll want to pull this out when you need to emphasize an extreme state. It’s perfect for real-world scenarios like:

• Exhaustion: After a 12-hour shift, you are 지칠 대로 지친 (exhausted to the max).
• Relationships: When a fight has gone too far, the relationship is 상할 대로 상한 (damaged beyond repair).
• Physical states: If you overcook noodles, they are 불을 대로 불었다 (swollen/soggy to the limit).
• Attitude: If someone is being incredibly rude, you might say they are 무례할 대로 무례하다.
• Idiomatic expressions: 될 대로 돼라 is a famous one. It means "Let it be whatever it will be" or "I don't care anymore, let the chips fall where they may."

Don't use this for mild or everyday descriptions. If you just have a slight headache, using -ㄹ/을 대로 will make you sound like a drama queen. It’s like a grammar traffic light; only go through when the situation is "Red Alert" levels of extreme. Also, avoid using it with verbs that don't have a clear "limit" or "extreme state." For instance, you wouldn't usually say 공부할 대로 공부했다 unless you mean you've studied so much your brain has literally stopped functioning. It’s also rarely used for positive things unless you’re being sarcastic or emphasizing an extreme (like being "rich to the max").

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so don't sweat it! The most common mistake is forgetting to repeat the verb. If you just say 지칠 대로... and stop, the sentence feels like a cliffhanger. Always finish the thought with the conjugated verb. Another slip-up is using the wrong ending for the first part. Remember, it’s always -(으)ㄹ 대로, not -는 대로 (which means "as soon as"). Mixing those two up will definitely confuse your Korean friends! Lastly, don't use it for future predictions. This grammar is almost always about a state that has *already* reached its limit or is currently at that limit.

You might know -아/어 죽겠다, which also means "to death" (e.g., 배고파 죽겠다). The difference is that -아/어 죽겠다 is more of a common hyperbole used in casual speech. -ㄹ/을 대로 feels a bit more descriptive of the actual *state* or *process* of reaching that limit. Another similar one is -(으)ㄹ 만큼. While -(으)ㄹ 만큼 means "as much as," it doesn't necessarily imply an extreme or negative limit. -ㄹ/을 대로 carries a much heavier weight of "this is the end point."