Grammar — Entry No. 0394
~보다
boda-ending · expression
~보다
boda-ending
[BOH-dah]
expressionintermediate
Meaning
The particle ~보다 attaches to a noun or pronoun to form comparisons meaning ‘more than’ or ‘rather than.’ It functions like ‘than’ in English comparative sentences, always following the standard being compared against. It’s one of the most essential grammar points for expressing preferences and differences in Korean.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
~보다 fills K-Pop lyrics whenever artists compare emotions, time, or intensity — BTS’s ‘Spring Day’ (봄날) uses comparative language to describe a longing that outlasts the coldest season. In ‘Crash Landing on You,’ Se-ri tells Jeong-hyeok that being separated hurts 죽는 것보다 더 (more than dying), a line that went viral among international fans learning Korean.
Example Sentences
나는 너보다 키가 커.
Na-neun neo-boda ki-ga keo.
I’m taller than you. (the standard of comparison 너 always comes before ~보다)
생각보다 훨씬 어렵네.
Saeng-gak-boda hwol-ssin eo-ryeop-ne.
It’s way harder than I thought. (생각보다 = ‘more than expected’ — an extremely common daily phrase)
죽는 것보다 더 아파.
Jug-neun geot-boda deo a-pa.
It hurts more than dying. (더 intensifies ~보다; this dramatic construction is beloved in K-Drama confessions)
⚠️ Don’t use boda-ending when…
Always place the standard of comparison before ~보다, not after — the item being compared against comes first. Also don’t confuse the particle ~보다 with the verb 보다 (to see/watch): 영화보다 좋아 can mean ‘I like it more than movies,’ so context is critical.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Crash Landing on You — Se-ri’s emotional confession uses ~보다 to describe pain that exceeds death, becoming one of the most quoted lines among international fans studying Korean
- K-Pop: BTS — 봄날 (Spring Day)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.