As Much As (만큼)
만큼
Compares to the same degree or extent, meaning 'as much as' or 'to the extent that'.
Pattern
Noun + 만큼 / Verb modifier + 만큼
Explanation
만큼 is a particle/bound noun that expresses equal degree or extent. It can follow nouns or verb clauses. After nouns, it means 'as much as': 저만큼 잘해요 (They do it as well as me). After verb clauses, it means 'to the extent that': 열심히 한 만큼 좋은 결과가 나올 거예요 (Good results will come to the extent that you worked hard).
With nouns, 만큼 creates equal comparisons: A만큼 B means 'B is as much as A'. For example, 형만큼 키가 커요 (I'm as tall as my older brother). This is the Korean equivalent of 'as... as...' in English.
The verb clause form uses modifier + 만큼: present tense -는 만큼, past tense -(으)ㄴ 만큼, future -(으)ㄹ 만큼. This construction is frequently used in both spoken and written Korean and is important for TOPIK Level 3.
Examples
저는 형만큼 키가 커요.
Jeoneun hyeongmankeum kiga keoyo.
I'm as tall as my older brother.
노력한 만큼 결과가 좋을 거예요.
Noryeokan mankeum gyeolgwaga joeul geoyeyo.
Results will be as good as the effort you put in.
예상만큼 어렵지 않았어요.
Yesangmankeum eoryeopji anasseoyo.
It wasn't as difficult as expected.
먹고 싶은 만큼 드세요.
Meokgo sipeun mankeum deuseyo.
Please eat as much as you want.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
형보다만큼 커요.
Correct
형만큼 커요.
Do not combine 보다 (comparative) with 만큼 (equal degree). 보다 means 'more than', 만큼 means 'as much as'.
Wrong
예상을 만큼 어려웠어요.
Correct
예상만큼 어려웠어요.
만큼 attaches directly to the noun without a particle in between.
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