Explaining -daero in Korean: Expressing “As” or “Like” Naturally (with Practice Worksheet!)
-Daero (대로) in Korean is a versatile grammatical particle that primarily conveys the meaning of “as,” “like,” “according to,” or “just as.”
It’s an essential element for natural-sounding Korean, allowing you to express conformity, comparison, and sequence with precision.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the nuances of -daero and explore its various applications, helping you to use it confidently and accurately.
The Core Concept of -daero: Following and Conforming
At its heart, -daero (대로) signifies that something is happening or being done in a manner that follows, conforms to, or is identical to something else.
Think of it as drawing a parallel between two actions or states. It’s about ‘going along with’ or ‘matching up to’ a certain standard, expectation, or prior event.
Expressing “As You Wish” or “As Expected”
This is perhaps one of the most common and intuitive uses of -daero. You attach -daero to a noun or a verb stem to show that an action is carried out in accordance with a wish, a command, or a pre-established plan.
Examples:
- 원하는 대로 하세요.
- 원하는 (from 원하다 – to wish, to want) + 대로
- Meaning: Do as you wish.
- Explanation: This politely suggests that the person should act according to their own desires.
- 시킨 대로 했어요.
- 시킨 (from 시키다 – to order, to make someone do) + 대로
- Meaning: I did as I was told.
- Explanation: This indicates that the action was performed exactly according to instructions.
- 예상한 대로 결과가 나왔어요.
- 예상한 (from 예상하다 – to expect, to anticipate) + 대로
- Meaning: The results came out as expected.
- Explanation: Here, the outcome matched the anticipation.
- 계획한 대로 여행을 떠났습니다.
- 계획한 (from 계획하다 – to plan) + 대로
- Meaning: We left for the trip as planned.
- Explanation: The departure followed the pre-arranged schedule.
- 말한 대로 다 준비했어요.
- 말한 (from 말하다 – to speak, to say) + 대로
- Meaning: I prepared everything as you said.
- Explanation: Preparations were made in exact conformity with what was spoken.
- 느끼는 대로 표현해 보세요.
- 느끼는 (from 느끼다 – to feel) + 대로
- Meaning: Try to express it as you feel it.
- Explanation: This encourages honest and direct expression of emotions.
- 약속한 대로 내일 만나요.
- 약속한 (from 약속하다 – to promise) + 대로
- Meaning: Let’s meet tomorrow as promised.
- Explanation: The meeting will happen in accordance with the prior agreement.
- 생각하는 대로 적어주세요.
- 생각하는 (from 생각하다 – to think) + 대로
- Meaning: Please write it down as you think it.
- Explanation: This asks for thoughts to be recorded directly and without alteration.
Connecting with Nouns: “Just Like” or “In the Manner of”
When -daero attaches to nouns, it often conveys a sense of “just like,” “in the manner of,” or “following” that noun. It establishes a direct comparison or indicates that something is happening according to the standard or type represented by the noun.
Noun + -daero Combinations
This structure is fairly straightforward. You simply place -daero directly after the noun. The noun often acts as a model or a point of reference.
Examples:
- 이전 대로 진행합시다.
- 이전 (previous, before) + 대로
- Meaning: Let’s proceed as before.
- Explanation: This suggests continuing in the same way things were done previously.
- 원래 대로 돌아왔어요.
- 원래 (original state, naturally) + 대로
- Meaning: It returned to its original state.
- Explanation: Something reverted to how it was initially.
- 한국 사람들 대로 김치를 잘 먹어요.
- 한국 사람들 (Korean people) + 대로
- Meaning: I eat kimchi well just like Korean people.
- Explanation: This expresses a comparison, indicating the speaker eats kimchi as proficiently as Koreans.
- 규칙 대로 경기를 해야 합니다.
- 규칙 (rule) + 대로
- Meaning: You must play the game according to the rules.
- Explanation: Emphasizes adherence to established regulations.
- 설명서 대로 조립하면 쉬워요.
- 설명서 (manual, instruction book) + 대로
- Meaning: It’s easy if you assemble it according to the manual.
- Explanation: Following the instructions makes the task simple.
- 그림 대로 만들어 주세요.
- 그림 (picture, drawing) + 대로
- Meaning: Please make it just like the picture.
- Explanation: The finished product should perfectly match the visual reference.
- 순서 대로 발표하겠습니다.
- 순서 (order, sequence) + 대로
- Meaning: I will present in order.
- Explanation: The presentations will follow a specific sequence.
- 제 마음 대로 할 수 없어요.
- 제 마음 (my heart/mind, my will) + 대로
- Meaning: I can’t do it as I wish (literally, according to my heart).
- Explanation: This conveys a sense of being unable to act on one’s own desires due to external constraints.
Using -daero with Verbs: “As Soon As” and “The Moment”
One of the more dynamic uses of -daero is when it combines with verbs. When attached to a completed action (often signaled by the past tense form or certain suffixes), -daero can indicate that the second action happens immediately after the first, or that the first action sets the stage for the second. This gives it a temporal meaning, suggesting “as soon as,” “the moment (that),” or “once (something is done).”
Connecting to Completed Actions: V-(으)ㄴ 대로 or V-는 대로
Here, the form depends on whether the verb ends in a consonant or a vowel, and sometimes on the specific nuance you want to convey.
- V-(으)ㄴ 대로: Often used with descriptive verbs or when referring to a state that is established.
- 작은 대로 만족해요. (I am satisfied as it is small.)
- 예쁜 대로 잘 팔려요. (It sells well because it’s pretty.)
- V-는 대로: More common with action verbs, emphasizing immediacy after the action.
Examples:
- 도착하는 대로 전화할게요.
- 도착하는 (from 도착하다 – to arrive) + 대로
- Meaning: I’ll call you as soon as I arrive.
- Explanation: The phone call will happen immediately after the arrival.
- 수업이 끝나는 대로 집에 갈 거예요.
- 끝나는 (from 끝나다 – to finish, to end) + 대로
- Meaning: I’ll go home as soon as class ends.
- Explanation: The departure for home is directly consequent to the class finishing.
- 읽는 대로 이해가 됐어요.
- 읽는 (from 읽다 – to read) + 대로
- Meaning: I understood it as I read it.
- Explanation: Comprehension happened concurrently with the act of reading.
- 생각나는 대로 말해 보세요.
- 생각나는 (from 생각나다 – to come to mind) + 대로
- Meaning: Try to speak whatever comes to mind (as it comes to mind).
- Explanation: This encourages free expression of thoughts as they occur.
- 시키는 대로 하면 돼.
- 시키는 (from 시키다 – to order, to make someone do) + 대로
- Meaning: Just do it as you’re told.
- Explanation: An instruction to follow directions exactly.
- 보는 대로 다 믿으면 안 돼요.
- 보는 (from 보다 – to see) + 대로
- Meaning: You shouldn’t believe everything you see.
- Explanation: A cautionary statement about trusting appearances implicitly.
- 만드는 대로 바로 먹을 수 있어요.
- 만드는 (from 만들다 – to make) + 대로
- Meaning: You can eat it right away as soon as it’s made.
- Explanation: Emphasizes the freshness and immediate availability after creation.
- 결정되는 대로 알려드릴게요.
- 결정되는 (from 결정되다 – to be decided) + 대로
- Meaning: I’ll let you know as soon as it’s decided.
- Explanation: Information will be provided immediately after a decision is made.
Special Nouns with -daero: “The Whole,” “Every,” and “Each”
Certain nouns, when combined with -daero, take on a specific distributive or exhaustive meaning. These are very common and add a touch of naturalness to your Korean speech.
The key nouns here are 각각 (each one), 따로 (separately), and sometimes nouns related to quantity or division.
Nouns like ‘각각’ or ‘따로’ + -daero
This usage highlights that things are being treated individually, separately, or in their own distinct way.
Examples:
- 각각 대로 의견을 말했습니다.
- 각각 (each, individually) + 대로
- Meaning: Each person spoke their opinion individually.
- Explanation: Emphasizes that opinions were given one by one, distinct from others.
- 따로 대로 포장해 주세요.
- 따로 (separately) + 대로
- Meaning: Please pack them separately.
- Explanation: Asking for items to be packaged in distinct units.
- 오는 사람 대로 선물을 줬어요.
- 오는 사람 (the people coming) + 대로
- Meaning: I gave gifts to everyone who came.
- Explanation: This implies that as people arrived, each one received a gift.
- 하고 싶은 사람 대로 신청하세요.
- 하고 싶은 사람 (people who want to do it) + 대로
- Meaning: Please apply, each person as they wish.
- Explanation: Encourages individual applications from those interested.
- 방 대로 에어컨이 설치되어 있어요.
- 방 (room) + 대로
- Meaning: Air conditioners are installed in each room.
- Explanation: Indicates that every single room has an air conditioner.
- 개인 대로 책임이 있습니다.
- 개인 (individual, personal) + 대로
- Meaning: Each individual has their own responsibility.
- Explanation: Responsibility is distributed to each person separately.
- 먹는 사람 대로 접시를 주세요.
- 먹는 사람 (people who eat) + 대로
- Meaning: Please give a plate to each person who eats.
- Explanation: Plates should be provided one per eater.
- 나라 대로 문화가 다릅니다.
- 나라 (country) + 대로
- Meaning: Cultures are different from country to country (each country has its own culture).
- Explanation: Highlights the cultural diversity across nations.
-daero in Fixed Expressions and Common Phrases
Like many grammatical elements, -daero appears in several fixed expressions that are frequently used in daily conversation. Learning these will significantly enhance your fluency and naturalness. These phrases often carry specific nuances that might not be immediately obvious from just knowing the individual words.
Everyday Usage and Idiomatic Expressions
These phrases are often used without much thought to the individual components, having become common idiomatic chunks of language.
Examples:
- 될 대로 돼라.
- 될 (from 되다 – to become) + 대로 + 돼라 (imperative of 되다)
- Meaning: Whatever happens, happens. / Let come what may.
- Explanation: A fatalistic or resigned expression, indicating a lack of worry about the future.
- (누구) 마음 대로.
- (누구 – someone’s) + 마음 (heart, mind, will) + 대로
- Meaning: As (someone) wishes. / Up to (someone).
- Explanation: Used to indicate that a decision or action is entirely at someone else’s discretion. (e.g., 네 마음대로 해. – Do as you wish.)
- 그 자리 대로.
- 그 자리 (that spot, that place) + 대로
- Meaning: In that very spot. / As it is.
- Explanation: To leave something untouched or in its original position.
- 보는 대로 말하다.
- 보는 (from 보다 – to see) + 대로 + 말하다 (to speak)
- Meaning: To speak as one sees it. / To speak frankly.
- Explanation: To describe something exactly as it appears, without embellishment.
- 있는 대로 먹다.
- 있는 (from 있다 – to exist, to be) + 대로 + 먹다 (to eat)
- Meaning: To eat all there is. / To eat everything available.
- Explanation: To consume every last bit of something.
- 하는 대로 배우다.
- 하는 (from 하다 – to do) + 대로 + 배우다 (to learn)
- Meaning: To learn by doing.
- Explanation: Emphasizes practical learning through experience.
- 내 눈 대로는 그 사람이 범인이 아니야.
- 내 눈 (my eyes, in my opinion) + 대로
- Meaning: In my eyes (or, from my perspective), that person is not the culprit.
- Explanation: Expressing a personal viewpoint or judgment.
- 말한 대로라면 그건 불가능해.
- 말한 (from 말하다 – to speak) + 대로 + 라면 (if it is)
- Meaning: If it’s as you said, then that’s impossible.
- Explanation: This phrase questions a statement based on its implications.
Comparing -daero with Similar Particles: What’s the Difference?
Korean has several particles that can seem similar at first glance, but subtle differences in nuance and usage. Understanding how -daero compares to terms like -cheoreom (-처럼) and -gachi (-같이) is key to using it correctly and naturally.
While they can sometimes be interchangeable, there are distinct situations where one is preferred over the others.
-daero vs. -cheoreom (-처럼) / -gachi (-같이)
- -cheoreom (-처럼) and -gachi (-같이) both mean “like” or “as” in the sense of similarity or comparison. They compare two different things, suggesting they are similar to each other.
- Example: 천사 처럼 예뻐요. (She’s pretty like an angel.) – She is not an angel, but she resembles one in beauty.
- -daero (-대로) means “as” or “according to” in the sense of conformity or direct correspondence. It implies that something is done in the exact way or in accordance with something else. The two things are not just similar; one is a direct consequence or replica of the other.
Examples of Distinction:
- 말한 대로 행동하다.
- Meaning: To act exactly as was said.
- Explanation: The action conforms to the words. The words are a direct blueprint for the action.
- 아이 처럼 행동하다.
- Meaning: To act like a child.
- Explanation: The action resembles how a child acts, but the person is not actually a child.
- 본 대로 이야기하다.
- Meaning: To tell a story exactly as one saw it.
- Explanation: The story is a direct report of the visual experience.
- 꿈 처럼 아름다운 풍경.
- Meaning: A landscape beautiful like a dream.
- Explanation: The landscape evokes the beauty of a dream, but it’s not literally a dream.
- 레시피 대로 요리했어요.
- Meaning: I cooked according to the recipe.
- Explanation: The cooking process strictly followed the instructions of the recipe.
- 로봇 같이 움직여요.
- Meaning: It moves like a robot.
- Explanation: The movement has the characteristics of a robot, even if it’s not one.
- 있는 대로 다 주세요.
- Meaning: Please give me all there is (all that exists).
- Explanation: Requesting the full quantity that exists.
- 물 같이 마셨다.
- Meaning: Drank like water (very easily or quickly).
- Explanation: The ease of drinking is compared to drinking water.
Practice Time! Fill in the Blanks with -daero (대로)
Now it’s your turn to put what you’ve learned into practice! Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of -daero. Remember to consider the context of each sentence. Let’s practice with the word -daero itself!
Instructions: Fill in the blank with -daero (대로) to complete the sentence naturally.
- 선생님이 시키는 ________ 하세요. (Please do as the teacher says.)
- 예상한 ________ 비가 왔어요. (It rained as expected.)
- 읽는 ________ 바로 이해가 됐어요. (I understood it right away as I read it.)
- 제 생각 ________ 말하면 좀 어려울 거예요. (If I speak as I think, it will be a bit difficult.)
- 도착하는 ________ 연락 주세요. (Please contact me as soon as you arrive.)
- 이전 ________ 계속 진행합시다. (Let’s continue as before.)
- 각자 ________ 맡은 일을 하세요. (Please do your assigned work individually.)
- 본 ________ 이야기해 주세요. (Please tell me as you saw it.)
- 느끼는 ________ 자유롭게 표현하세요. (Express yourself freely as you feel it.)
- 되는 ________ 해볼게요. (I’ll try my best to the extent possible.)
Answers to Practice Worksheet
No peeking until you’ve tried them all!
- 선생님이 시키는 대로 하세요.
- 예상한 대로 비가 왔어요.
- 읽는 대로 바로 이해가 됐어요.
- 제 생각 대로 말하면 좀 어려울 거예요.
- 도착하는 대로 연락 주세요.
- 이전 대로 계속 진행합시다.
- 각자 대로 맡은 일을 하세요.
- 본 대로 이야기해 주세요.
- 느끼는 대로 자유롭게 표현하세요.
- 되는 대로 해볼게요.
How did you do? If you got most of them right, that’s fantastic! If you found some challenging, that’s perfectly normal. Learning a new language takes time and consistent practice.
Embrace -daero for Natural Korean
We’ve covered a lot of ground today, exploring the multifaceted particle -daero (대로) in Korean. From expressing conformity and immediate sequence to its use in fixed expressions and distinguishing it from similar comparison particles, -daero is a small but mighty element that adds significant naturalness to your Korean.
Remember, the key to truly understanding and using -daero effectively is consistent exposure and practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in dramas, songs, and everyday conversations. Try to incorporate it into your own sentences as you speak and write. The more you use it, the more intuitive it will become.
Let’s keep practicing! Try making a few sentences of your own using -daero in different contexts. What are some situations in your daily life where you could use phrases like “as I thought” or “as soon as it’s done”?
Let’s share your experience! Did you find a particular usage of -daero more challenging than others? Or do you have a favorite example sentence using it? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. Your experiences help us all learn together! Keep up the great work on your Korean language journey!
