TL;DR
정도 [jeong-do] means about / around / to the extent of.
쯤 [jjeum] means around / roughly, especially with time, place, and simple amounts.
가량 [ga-ryang] means approximately, usually with numbers and quantities in a slightly more written or formal style.
Iru Helper Note
If you want quick number, time, or spacing support while practicing this lesson, open 
Korean Helper Widgets. These three expressions often appear with numbers, times, distances, prices, and durations.
Big Picture
Korean has several ways to say “about,” “around,” or “approximately.” The three most useful beginner-friendly ones are:
- 정도 [jeong-do] — about; degree; extent
- 쯤 [jjeum] — around; roughly
- 가량 [ga-ryang] — approximately; about, usually with quantities
They overlap, but they do not feel exactly the same.
Expression | Main feeling | Common use | Example |
정도 | about / extent / degree | amounts, degree, “to the point that…” | 한 시간 정도 [han si-gan jeong-do] — about one hour |
쯤 | around / roughly | time, place, amount | 세 시쯤 [se si-jjeum] — around three o’clock |
가량 | approximately | measured quantities, written/formal style | 백 명가량 [baeng myeong-ga-ryang] — approximately 100 people |
Core Pattern
1. Number / quantity + 정도
Use 정도 after a quantity when you mean “about this much.”
- 한 시간 정도 걸려요.
[han si-gan jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo]
It takes about one hour.
- 만 원 정도 있어요.
[man won jeong-do i-sseo-yo]
I have about 10,000 won.
- 열 명 정도 왔어요.
[yeol myeong jeong-do wa-sseo-yo]
About ten people came.
2. Time / place / amount + 쯤
Use 쯤 when you mean “around” or “roughly.”
- 세 시쯤 만나요.
[se si-jjeum man-na-yo]
Let’s meet around three o’clock.
- 여기쯤 앉을까요?
[yeo-gi-jjeum an-jeul-kka-yo]
Shall we sit somewhere around here?
- 한 시간쯤 기다렸어요.
[han si-gan-jjeum gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo]
I waited about an hour.
3. Quantity + 가량
Use 가량 for approximate measured quantities. It often feels more written, report-like, or formal than 쯤.
- 학생 백 명가량이 참석했어요.
[hak-saeng baeng myeong-ga-ryang-i cham-seok-hae-sseo-yo]
Approximately 100 students attended.
- 두 시간가량 걸렸어요.
[du si-gan-ga-ryang geol-lyeo-sseo-yo]
It took approximately two hours.
- 오십 개가량 필요해요.
[o-sip gae-ga-ryang pi-ryo-hae-yo]
We need approximately fifty.
How It Works in Sentences
정도 can mean “degree” or “extent”
정도 is not only for numbers. It can also describe how far something goes.
- 울 정도로 기뻤어요.
[ul jeong-do-ro gi-ppeo-sseo-yo]
I was so happy that I almost cried. / I was happy to the point of crying.
- 걸을 수 없을 정도로 피곤해요.
[geo-reul su eop-seul jeong-do-ro pi-gon-hae-yo]
I’m tired to the point that I can’t walk.
- 어느 정도 이해했어요.
[eo-neu jeong-do i-hae-hae-sseo-yo]
I understood to some extent.
쯤 is great for casual “around”
쯤 is very common in everyday speech.
- 내일 아침쯤 전화할게요.
[nae-il a-chim-jjeum jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo]
I’ll call around tomorrow morning.
- 지하철역쯤에서 만나요.
[ji-ha-cheol-lyeok-jjeum-e-seo man-na-yo]
Let’s meet around the subway station.
- 이쯤에서 쉬어요.
[i-jjeum-e-seo swi-eo-yo]
Let’s rest around here / at this point.
가량 sounds measured
가량 is useful when the sentence sounds like a count, report, notice, or estimate.
- 관광객 천 명가량이 방문했어요.
[gwan-gwang-gaek cheon myeong-ga-ryang-i bang-mun-hae-sseo-yo]
Approximately 1,000 tourists visited.
- 삼십 분가량 기다려 주세요.
[sam-sip bun-ga-ryang gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo]
Please wait approximately thirty minutes.
- 오 킬로미터가량 걸었어요.
[o kil-lo-mi-teo-ga-ryang geo-reo-sseo-yo]
I walked approximately five kilometers.
General Formation Rule
With 정도
Use a space before 정도 when it acts like a noun meaning “degree” or “extent.”
- 한 시간 정도 [han si-gan jeong-do] — about one hour
- 열 명 정도 [yeol myeong jeong-do] — about ten people
- 울 정도로 [ul jeong-do-ro] — to the point of crying
- 어느 정도 [eo-neu jeong-do] — to some extent
With 쯤
Attach 쯤 directly to the word before it.
- 세 시쯤 [se si-jjeum] — around three o’clock
- 여기쯤 [yeo-gi-jjeum] — around here
- 이쯤 [i-jjeum] — around this point
- 한 시간쯤 [han si-gan-jjeum] — about one hour
With 가량
Attach 가량 directly after a quantity.
- 백 명가량 [baeng myeong-ga-ryang] — approximately 100 people
- 두 시간가량 [du si-gan-ga-ryang] — approximately two hours
- 오십 개가량 [o-sip gae-ga-ryang] — approximately fifty items
- 삼 킬로미터가량 [sam kil-lo-mi-teo-ga-ryang] — approximately three kilometers
Cross-Check Note
Korean grammar references classify particles as forms that attach to the previous word, while dependent nouns are written separately. This is why 쯤 and 가량 attach directly, but 정도 is often written with a space in common learner patterns like 한 시간 정도 [han si-gan jeong-do] — about one hour.
Nuance Notes
정도 vs 쯤
Both can mean “about,” but the feeling is different.
- 한 시간 정도 걸려요.
[han si-gan jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo]
It takes about one hour.
- 한 시간쯤 걸려요.
[han si-gan-jjeum geol-lyeo-yo]
It takes around one hour.
The first feels slightly more like “about that amount.” The second feels more like a rough everyday estimate.
쯤 vs 가량
- 세 시쯤 만나요.
[se si-jjeum man-na-yo]
Let’s meet around three.
- 세 시가량 만나요.
[se si-ga-ryang man-na-yo]
This sounds unnatural for everyday “around three.”
For ordinary clock time, use 쯤. For measured quantities in more formal contexts, use 가량.
정도 with -로
When you want “to the extent that…,” use 정도로.
- 말할 수 없을 정도로 바빴어요.
[mal-hal su eop-seul jeong-do-ro ba-ppa-sseo-yo]
I was busy to the point that I couldn’t speak.
- 깜짝 놀랄 정도로 예뻤어요.
[kkam-jjak nol-lal jeong-do-ro ye-ppeo-sseo-yo]
It was pretty to the point that I was surprised.
Common Pitfalls
1. Do not use 가량 for “around here”
- 여기가량 [yeo-gi-ga-ryang] ❌
- 여기쯤 [yeo-gi-jjeum] ✅ — around here
2. Do not space 쯤 like a separate noun
- 세 시 쯤 [se si jjeum] ❌
- 세 시쯤 [se si-jjeum] ✅ — around three o’clock
3. Do not use 정도 when you need a specific exact number
- 세 시 정도에 시작해요.
[se si jeong-do-e si-jak-hae-yo]
It starts at about three.
- 세 시에 시작해요.
[se si-e si-jak-hae-yo]
It starts at three.
If the time is exact, remove the approximate expression.
4. Do not confuse 정도 with 쯤 in degree sentences
- 울 쯤으로 기뻤어요. [ul jjeum-eu-ro gi-ppeo-sseo-yo] ❌
- 울 정도로 기뻤어요. [ul jeong-do-ro gi-ppeo-sseo-yo] ✅
I was happy to the point of crying.
Use 정도 for “to the extent that…”
Mini Examples
- 커피가 오천 원 정도예요.
[keo-pi-ga o-cheon won jeong-do-ye-yo]
The coffee is about 5,000 won.
- 저녁쯤 도착할 거예요.
[jeo-nyeok-jjeum do-chak-hal geo-ye-yo]
I’ll arrive around evening.
- 이 근처쯤에 은행이 있어요.
[i geun-cheo-jjeum-e eun-haeng-i i-sseo-yo]
There is a bank somewhere around this area.
- 이백 명가량 모였어요.
[i-baek myeong-ga-ryang mo-yeo-sseo-yo]
Approximately 200 people gathered.
- 어느 정도 괜찮아졌어요.
[eo-neu jeong-do gwaen-cha-na-jyeo-sseo-yo]
It got better to some extent.
Try this exercise
Choose the best option: 정도 [jeong-do], 쯤 [jjeum], or 가량 [ga-ryang].
- 네 시＿＿＿＿ 만나요.
[ne si＿＿＿＿ man-na-yo]
Let’s meet around four.
- 학생 오십 명＿＿＿＿이 왔어요.
[hak-saeng o-sip myeong＿＿＿＿-i wa-sseo-yo]
Approximately fifty students came.
- 울＿＿＿＿로 슬펐어요.
[ul＿＿＿＿-ro seul-peo-sseo-yo]
I was sad to the point of crying.
Answers
- 네 시쯤 만나요.
[ne si-jjeum man-na-yo]
Let’s meet around four.
- 학생 오십 명가량이 왔어요.
[hak-saeng o-sip myeong-ga-ryang-i wa-sseo-yo]
Approximately fifty students came.
- 울 정도로 슬펐어요.
[ul jeong-do-ro seul-peo-sseo-yo]
I was sad to the point of crying.
🎯 Practice Hub — Approximate Extent: 정도 / 쯤 / 가량
Exercise 1 — Choose the natural approximate expression
A. “around seven o’clock”
- 일곱 시쯤 [il-gop si-jjeum]
- 일곱 시가량 [il-gop si-ga-ryang]
B. “approximately 300 people” in a report-like sentence
- 삼백 명가량 [sam-baek myeong-ga-ryang]
- 삼백 명쯤 [sam-baek myeong-jjeum]
Answer A–B
A. 일곱 시쯤 [il-gop si-jjeum] — around seven o’clock
For ordinary clock time, 쯤 is natural.
B. 삼백 명가량 [sam-baek myeong-ga-ryang] — approximately 300 people
For report-like quantity estimates, 가량 fits well.
Exercise 2 — Fill in the blank
C. 두 시간＿＿＿＿ 걸렸어요.
[du si-gan＿＿＿＿ geol-lyeo-sseo-yo]
It took about two hours.
D. 여기＿＿＿＿에서 기다릴게요.
[yeo-gi＿＿＿＿-e-seo gi-da-ril-ge-yo]
I’ll wait around here.
Answer C–D
C. 두 시간 정도 걸렸어요.
[du si-gan jeong-do geol-lyeo-sseo-yo]
It took about two hours.
D. 여기쯤에서 기다릴게요.
[yeo-gi-jjeum-e-seo gi-da-ril-ge-yo]
I’ll wait around here.
Exercise 3 — Fix the sentence
E. 세 시 쯤 출발해요.
[se si jjeum chul-bal-hae-yo]
Intended meaning: We leave around three.
F. 기절할 쯤으로 피곤해요.
[gi-jeol-hal jjeum-eu-ro pi-gon-hae-yo]
Intended meaning: I’m tired to the point of fainting.
Answer E–F
E. 세 시쯤 출발해요.
[se si-jjeum chul-bal-hae-yo]
We leave around three.
F. 기절할 정도로 피곤해요.
[gi-jeol-hal jeong-do-ro pi-gon-hae-yo]
I’m tired to the point of fainting.
Exercise 4 — Translate into Korean
G. about 20,000 won
Vocabulary: 이만 원 [i-man won] — 20,000 won
H. around this area
Vocabulary: 이 근처 [i geun-cheo] — this area / nearby here
Answer G–H
G. 이만 원 정도
[i-man won jeong-do]
about 20,000 won
H. 이 근처쯤
[i geun-cheo-jjeum]
around this area
Exercise 5 — Pick the best nuance
I. You are texting a friend: “I’ll arrive around lunchtime.”
Best frame: 점심쯤 도착할게요. [jeom-sim-jjeum do-chak-hal-ge-yo] — I’ll arrive around lunchtime.
J. You are writing a notice: “Approximately 500 people participated.”
Best frame: 오백 명가량이 참여했어요. [o-baek myeong-ga-ryang-i cham-yeo-hae-sseo-yo] — Approximately 500 people participated.
Answer I–J
I. 점심쯤 도착할게요.
[jeom-sim-jjeum do-chak-hal-ge-yo]
I’ll arrive around lunchtime.
J. 오백 명가량이 참여했어요.
[o-baek myeong-ga-ryang-i cham-yeo-hae-sseo-yo]
Approximately 500 people participated.
Great work. You can now choose between casual “around,” neutral “about,” and formal “approximately.” 🎉
Closing Line
Use 정도 [jeong-do] for approximate amount or degree, 쯤 [jjeum] for casual “around,” and 가량 [ga-ryang] for measured approximate quantities. Once you feel the difference, Korean estimates become much easier to control.
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