TL;DR 🦄
- ⚖️ 만큼 [man-keum] means “as much as,” “as…as,” or “to the same degree as.”
- 📍Attach it directly after a noun: 친구만큼 [chin-gu-man-keum] = “as much as my friend.”
- 🧷 만큼은 [man-keu-meun] adds emphasis: 그것만큼은 알아요. [geu-geot-man-keu-meun a-ra-yo] = “At least that much, I know.”
🎧 Iru Helper Note Use Korean Helper Widgets to type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson and hear it read aloud. Listen for how 만큼 attaches to the noun before it as one smooth chunk.
🌈 The Big Picture
만큼 [man-keum] is the Korean equality scale. ⚖️ It compares degree, amount, or level between two things.
If 처럼 says “like something,” 만큼 says “as much as that thing” or “as adjective as that thing.”
- 친구처럼 [chin-gu-cheo-reom] = like a friend 🤝
- 친구만큼 [chin-gu-man-keum] = as much as my friend / to the same degree as my friend ⚖️
For this beginner lesson, keep the pattern simple:
- noun + 만큼 + adjective/verb
- No space before 만큼 when it attaches to a noun.
🎨 The Core Equality Family
- 만큼 [man-keum] → as much as / as…as / to the same degree as ⚖️
- 친구만큼 [chin-gu-man-keum] → as much as my friend 🤝
- 어제만큼 [eo-je-man-keum] → as much as yesterday / as…as yesterday 📅
- 그것만큼은 [geu-geot-man-keu-meun] → at least that much / that one thing, at least 🧷
Useful beginner comparison patterns:
- noun만큼 커요 [noun-man-keum keo-yo] → is as big as noun 📏
- noun만큼 좋아해요 [noun-man-keum jo-a-hae-yo] → like it as much as noun ❤️
- noun만큼 먹어요 [noun-man-keum meo-geo-yo] → eat as much as noun 🍚
- noun만큼 공부해요 [noun-man-keum gong-bu-hae-yo] → study as much as noun 📚
🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence
- 이 가방은 노트북만큼 무거워요. [i ga-bang-eun no-teu-buk-man-keum mu-geo-wo-yo] (This bag is as heavy as a laptop.) 💻
- 가방 = bag, 노트북 = laptop, 무겁다 = to be heavy.
- 오늘은 어제만큼 추워요. [o-neu-reun eo-je-man-keum chu-wo-yo] (Today is as cold as yesterday.) ❄️
- 오늘 = today, 어제 = yesterday, 춥다 = to be cold.
- 저는 친구만큼 먹어요. [jeo-neun chin-gu-man-keum meo-geo-yo] (I eat as much as my friend.) 🍚
- 저 = I/me, 친구 = friend, 먹다 = to eat.
🧩 General Formation Rule
Attach 만큼 directly after a noun:
- 선생님만큼 [seon-saeng-nim-man-keum] → as much as a teacher 👩🏫
- 바다만큼 [ba-da-man-keum] → as much as the sea 🌊
- 산만큼 [san-man-keum] → as much as a mountain ⛰️
- 시계만큼 [si-gye-man-keum] → as much as a clock / as precise as a clock 🕰️
Then finish with a verb or adjective:
- 넓어요 [neol-beo-yo] = is wide
- 높아요 [no-pa-yo] = is high
- 정확해요 [jeong-hwa-kae-yo] = is precise
- 공부해요 [gong-bu-hae-yo] = study
🧷 Spotlight: (그것)만큼은
만큼 can take the topic/emphasis particle 은, creating 만큼은 [man-keu-meun]. This often means “at least that much” or “that one thing/amount, at least.”
- 그것만큼은 알아요. [geu-geot-man-keu-meun a-ra-yo] (At least that much, I know.) 🧠
- 그것 = that thing, 알다 = to know.
- 이것만큼은 기억해요. [i-geot-man-keu-meun gi-eo-kae-yo] (At least this much, I remember.) 📝
- 이것 = this thing, 기억하다 = to remember.
- 오늘만큼은 쉬어요. [o-neul-man-keu-meun swi-eo-yo] (At least for today, rest.) 🛋️
- 오늘 = today, 쉬다 = to rest.
Spacing note: write it attached after a noun or pronoun: 그것만큼은, not 그것 만큼 은. 📌
📚 Cross-check note
The use of 만큼 as a particle meaning “a similar degree or limit as the preceding noun,” and the attached form with 은, were cross-checked against korean.go.kr. ✅
🪞 Synonym Alert
- 만큼 [man-keum] → as much as / as…as; degree or amount ⚖️
- 처럼 [cheo-reom] → like/as; similarity or manner 🎭
- 같이 [ga-chi] → like/as, or together depending on context ✨
Quick contrast:
- 새처럼 노래해요. [sae-cheo-reom no-rae-hae-yo] (They sing like a bird.) 🐦
- 새만큼 작아요. [sae-man-keum ja-ga-yo] (It is as small as a bird.) 🐦
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 만큼 친구 먹어요. → ✅ 친구만큼 먹어요. (Put 만큼 after the comparison noun.) 🤝
- ❌ 친구 만큼 먹어요. → ✅ 친구만큼 먹어요. (Attach 만큼 to the noun with no space.) 🍚
- ❌ 그것 만큼 은 알아요. → ✅ 그것만큼은 알아요. (Attach 만큼, then attach 은.) 🧷
- ❌ Using 만큼 for every “like” sentence → ✅ Use it for amount or degree; use 처럼 for simple “like.” 🎭
- ❌ Comparing without a clear scale → ✅ Ask: “as much/as adjective as what?” That comparison noun goes before 만큼. ⚖️
You now have the Korean equality scale. Drop 만큼 after a noun, and your sentence can measure effort, size, coldness, comfort, snack power, or sky-level ambition. ⚖️🌌
Try this exercise
Instructions Fill each blank with 만큼. Focus on attaching it directly after the comparison noun, then read the full sentence aloud.
1. 이 가방은 노트북____ 무거워요.
[i ga-bang-eun no-teu-buk ____ mu-geo-wo-yo]
This bag is as heavy as a laptop. 💻
Answer
만큼 — 노트북만큼 means “as much/as…as a laptop.”
2. 이 카페는 도서관____ 조용해요.
[i ka-pe-neun do-seo-gwan ____ jo-yong-hae-yo]
This café is as quiet as a library. 📚
Answer
만큼 — attach it directly after 도서관 (library).
3. 저는 친구____ 많이 먹어요.
[jeo-neun chin-gu ____ ma-ni meo-geo-yo]
I eat as much as my friend. 🍚
Answer
만큼 — 친구만큼 많이 먹어요 compares amount eaten.
4. 오늘은 어제____ 추워요.
[o-neu-reun eo-je ____ chu-wo-yo]
Today is as cold as yesterday. ❄️
Answer
만큼 — use 만큼 for equal degree.
5. 이 상자는 책상____ 커요.
[i sang-ja-neun chaek-sang ____ keo-yo]
This box is as big as a desk. 📦
Answer
만큼 — attach it to 책상 (desk).
6. 이 물은 얼음____ 차가워요.
[i mu-reun eo-reum ____ cha-ga-wo-yo]
This water is as cold as ice. 🧊
Answer
만큼 — 얼음만큼 means “as cold as ice.”
7. 제 동생은 저____ 키가 커요.
[je dong-saeng-eun jeo ____ ki-ga keo-yo]
My younger sibling is as tall as me. 🧒
Answer
만큼 — 저만큼 means “as much/as…as me.”
8. 이 문제는 시험____ 어려워요.
[i mun-je-neun si-heom ____ eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
This problem is as difficult as an exam. 📝
Answer
만큼 — attach it directly after 시험 (exam).
9. 이 천은 솜____ 부드러워요.
[i cheo-neun som ____ bu-deu-reo-wo-yo]
This fabric is as soft as cotton. 🧵
Answer
만큼 — 솜만큼 compares softness.
10. 이 시계는 전화기____ 정확해요.
[i si-gye-neun jeon-hwa-gi ____ jeong-hwa-kae-yo]
This clock is as accurate as a phone. 🕰️
Answer
만큼 — use it for equal degree: as accurate as a phone.
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as / as…as
- 가방 → bag
- 노트북 → laptop
- 카페 → café
- 도서관 → library
- 저 → I/me
- 친구 → friend
- 오늘 → today
- 어제 → yesterday
- 상자 → box
- 책상 → desk
- 물 → water
- 얼음 → ice
- 동생 → younger sibling
- 키가 크다 → to be tall
- 문제 → problem
- 시험 → exam
- 천 → fabric
- 솜 → cotton
- 시계 → clock
- 전화기 → phone
Tip 💡 만큼 sticks to the comparison noun: noun만큼.
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below uses fresh comparison scenes, so every question trains a new equality scale. ⚖️
🎯 Practice Hub — Equality: As much as: 만큼
Welcome to the equality gym. ⚖️ This Practice Hub helps you attach 만큼 to nouns, compare amounts and degrees, and avoid mixing it up with “like/as” words such as 처럼. Every prompt below uses a new sentence scene, so your practice stays sharp instead of echoey. ✨
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, say the completed sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Ask yourself: “Equal to what?” The answer noun sits right before 만큼.
Exercise 1 — Attach 만큼 to the Noun ⚖️
A. 이 방은 호텔____ 깨끗해요.
[i bang-eun ho-tel ____ kkae-kkeu-tae-yo]
This room is as clean as a hotel. 🏨
Answer
만큼 — attach it after 호텔.
B. 이 의자는 침대____ 편해요.
[i ui-ja-neun chim-dae ____ pyeon-hae-yo]
This chair is as comfortable as a bed. 🛏️
Answer
만큼 — 침대만큼 means “as…as a bed.”
C. 이 소리는 종____ 커요.
[i so-ri-neun jong ____ keo-yo]
This sound is as loud as a bell. 🔔
Answer
만큼 — use it for equal degree.
D. 이 사과는 꿀____ 달아요.
[i sa-gwa-neun kkul ____ da-ra-yo]
This apple is as sweet as honey. 🍎
Answer
만큼 — attach it after 꿀.
E. 이 문제는 숙제____ 쉬워요.
[i mun-je-neun suk-je ____ swi-wo-yo]
This problem is as easy as homework. 📝
Answer
만큼 — 숙제만큼 compares difficulty level.
F. 오늘 하늘은 바다____ 파래요.
[o-neul ha-neu-reun ba-da ____ pa-rae-yo]
Today’s sky is as blue as the sea. 🌊
Answer
만큼 — the scale is blueness.
G. 이 모자는 종이____ 가벼워요.
[i mo-ja-neun jong-i ____ ga-byeo-wo-yo]
This hat is as light as paper. 🧢
Answer
만큼 — attach it directly after 종이.
H. 이 돌은 바위____ 딱딱해요.
[i do-reun ba-wi ____ ttak-tta-kae-yo]
This stone is as hard as a rock. 🪨
Answer
만큼 — 바위만큼 means “as…as a rock.”
I. 이 꽃은 향수____ 향기로워요.
[i kko-cheun hyang-su ____ hyang-gi-ro-wo-yo]
This flower is as fragrant as perfume. 🌷
Answer
만큼 — compare fragrance with 향수.
J. 이 교실은 밤____ 조용해요.
[i gyo-si-reun bam ____ jo-yong-hae-yo]
This classroom is as quiet as night. 🌙
Answer
만큼 — the comparison noun is 밤.
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as / as…as
- 방 → room
- 호텔 → hotel
- 의자 → chair
- 침대 → bed
- 소리 → sound
- 종 → bell
- 사과 → apple
- 꿀 → honey
- 숙제 → homework
- 하늘 → sky
- 바다 → sea
- 모자 → hat
- 종이 → paper
- 돌 → stone
- 바위 → rock
- 꽃 → flower
- 향수 → perfume
- 교실 → classroom
- 밤 → night
Tip 💡 No space: noun만큼.
Exercise 2 — Amount and Effort Reps 💪
A. 저는 친구____ 공부해요.
[jeo-neun chin-gu ____ gong-bu-hae-yo]
I study as much as my friend. 📚
Answer
만큼 — compare the amount of studying.
B. 민수는 누나____ 책을 읽어요.
[min-su-neun nu-na ____ chae-geul il-geo-yo]
Minsu reads as much as an older sister. 📖
Answer
만큼 — attach it after 누나.
C. 우리는 선수____ 운동해요.
[u-ri-neun seon-su ____ un-dong-hae-yo]
We exercise as much as an athlete. 🏃
Answer
만큼 — compare the amount of exercise.
D. 아이들은 강아지____ 놀아요.
[a-i-deu-reun gang-a-ji ____ no-ra-yo]
The children play as much as a puppy. 🐶
Answer
만큼 — the comparison noun is 강아지.
E. 저는 동생____ 물을 마셔요.
[jeo-neun dong-saeng ____ mu-reul ma-syeo-yo]
I drink as much water as my younger sibling. 💧
Answer
만큼 — attach it directly after 동생.
F. 지수는 엄마____ 요리해요.
[ji-su-neun eom-ma ____ yo-ri-hae-yo]
Jisu cooks as much as mom. 👩🍳
Answer
만큼 — use 만큼 for amount or degree.
G. 저는 아빠____ 일해요.
[jeo-neun a-ppa ____ i-rae-yo]
I work as much as dad. 👨
Answer
만큼 — compare the amount of work.
H. 학생들은 선생님____ 말해요.
[hak-saeng-deu-reun seon-saeng-nim ____ ma-rae-yo]
The students speak as much as the teacher. 👩🏫
Answer
만큼 — attach it after 선생님.
I. 고양이는 아기____ 자요.
[go-yang-i-neun a-gi ____ ja-yo]
The cat sleeps as much as a baby. 🐈⬛
Answer
만큼 — compare sleep amount.
J. 저는 작가____ 써요.
[jeo-neun jak-ga ____ sseo-yo]
I write as much as a writer. ✍️
Answer
만큼 — the comparison noun is 작가.
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as
- 저 → I/me
- 친구 → friend
- 민수 → Minsu
- 누나 → older sister
- 우리 → we/us
- 선수 → athlete/player
- 아이들 → children
- 강아지 → puppy
- 동생 → younger sibling
- 물 → water
- 지수 → Jisu
- 엄마 → mom
- 아빠 → dad
- 학생들 → students
- 선생님 → teacher
- 고양이 → cat
- 아기 → baby
- 작가 → writer
Tip 💡 With action verbs, 만큼 often compares “how much.”
Exercise 3 — Choose the Natural Predicate 🎚️
A. 태양만큼 ____.
[tae-yang-man-keum ____]
It is as bright as the sun. ☀️
Answer
밝아요 — 밝다 means “to be bright.”
B. 눈만큼 ____.
[nun-man-keum ____]
It is as white as snow. ❄️
Answer
하얘요 — 하얗다 means “to be white.”
C. 사전만큼 ____.
[sa-jeon-man-keum ____]
It is as thick as a dictionary. 📚
Answer
두꺼워요 — 두껍다 means “to be thick.”
D. 레몬만큼 ____.
[re-mon-man-keum ____]
It is as sour as a lemon. 🍋
Answer
셔요 — 시다 means “to be sour.”
E. 거북이만큼 ____.
[geo-bu-gi-man-keum ____]
It is as slow as a turtle. 🐢
Answer
느려요 — 느리다 means “to be slow.”
F. 운동장만큼 ____.
[un-dong-jang-man-keum ____]
It is as wide as a playground. 🏟️
Answer
넓어요 — 넓다 means “to be wide.”
G. 산만큼 ____.
[san-man-keum ____]
It is as high as a mountain. ⛰️
Answer
높아요 — 높다 means “to be high.”
H. 불만큼 ____.
[bul-man-keum ____]
It is as hot as fire. 🔥
Answer
뜨거워요 — 뜨겁다 means “to be hot.”
I. 그림만큼 ____.
[geu-rim-man-keum ____]
It is as pretty as a painting. 🖼️
Answer
예뻐요 — 예쁘다 means “to be pretty.”
J. 시계만큼 ____.
[si-gye-man-keum ____]
It is as precise as a clock. 🕰️
Answer
정확해요 — 정확하다 means “to be precise.”
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as / as…as
- 태양 → sun
- 눈 → snow
- 사전 → dictionary
- 레몬 → lemon
- 거북이 → turtle
- 운동장 → playground
- 산 → mountain
- 불 → fire
- 그림 → painting
- 시계 → clock
- 밝다 → to be bright
- 하얗다 → to be white
- 두껍다 → to be thick
- 시다 → to be sour
- 느리다 → to be slow
- 넓다 → to be wide
- 높다 → to be high
- 뜨겁다 → to be hot
- 예쁘다 → to be pretty
- 정확하다 → to be precise
Tip 💡 noun만큼 + adjective compares degree.
Exercise 4 — 만큼 or 처럼? 🎭
A. 새____ 노래해요.
[sae ____ no-rae-hae-yo]
They sing like a bird. 🐦
Answer
처럼 — this is manner/similarity, not amount.
B. 새____ 작아요.
[sae ____ ja-ga-yo]
It is as small as a bird. 🐦
Answer
만큼 — this compares degree: smallness.
C. 로봇____ 움직여요.
[ro-bot ____ um-ji-gyeo-yo]
They move like a robot. 🤖
Answer
처럼 — this describes how they move.
D. 로봇____ 정확해요.
[ro-bot ____ jeong-hwa-kae-yo]
They are as precise as a robot. 🤖
Answer
만큼 — this compares the degree of precision.
E. 아이____ 웃어요.
[a-i ____ u-seo-yo]
They laugh like a child. 🧒
Answer
처럼 — this is a “like a child” manner.
F. 아이____ 많이 자요.
[a-i ____ ma-ni ja-yo]
They sleep as much as a child. 🧒
Answer
만큼 — compare amount with 아이.
G. 음악____ 흘러요.
[eu-mak ____ heul-leo-yo]
It flows like music. 🎶
Answer
처럼 — this is poetic similarity.
H. 음악____ 좋아요.
[eu-mak ____ jo-a-yo]
It is as good as music. 🎶
Answer
만큼 — this compares degree of goodness.
I. 구름____ 떠 있어요.
[gu-reum ____ tteo i-sseo-yo]
It floats like a cloud. ☁️
Answer
처럼 — this describes a cloud-like manner.
J. 구름____ 하얘요.
[gu-reum ____ ha-yae-yo]
It is as white as a cloud. ☁️
Answer
만큼 — this compares whiteness.
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as / as…as
- 처럼 → like / as
- 새 → bird
- 로봇 → robot
- 아이 → child
- 음악 → music
- 구름 → cloud
- 노래하다 → to sing
- 작다 → to be small
- 움직이다 → to move
- 정확하다 → to be precise
- 웃다 → to laugh
- 자다 → to sleep
- 흐르다 → to flow
- 좋다 → to be good
- 떠 있다 → to float
- 하얗다 → to be white
Tip 💡 처럼 = like an image; 만큼 = equal degree/amount.
Exercise 5 — 만큼은 + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. 친구____ 먹어요.
[chin-gu ____ meo-geo-yo]
I eat as much as my friend. 🍚
Answer
만큼 — ✅ attach it after 친구; ❌ do not put it before the noun.
B. 그것____ 알아요.
[geu-geot ____ a-ra-yo]
At least that much, I know. 🧠
Answer
만큼은 — ✅ 그것만큼은 알아요. Attach 만큼, then 은.
C. 이것____ 기억해요.
[i-geot ____ gi-eo-kae-yo]
At least this much, I remember. 📝
Answer
만큼은 — 이것만큼은 means “this much/this one thing, at least.”
D. 오늘____ 쉬어요.
[o-neul ____ swi-eo-yo]
At least for today, rest. 🛋️
Answer
만큼은 — 오늘만큼은 gives emphasis: “at least today.”
E. 집____ 편해요.
[jip ____ pyeon-hae-yo]
It is as comfortable as home. 🏠
Answer
만큼 — this compares degree of comfort.
F. 선생님처럼 설명해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-cheo-reom seol-myeong-hae-yo]
Choose the meaning: “explain like a teacher” or “explain as much as a teacher.” 👩🏫
Answer
explain like a teacher — 처럼 gives manner/similarity.
G. 선생님만큼 설명해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-man-keum seol-myeong-hae-yo]
Choose the meaning: “explain like a teacher” or “explain as much as a teacher.” 👩🏫
Answer
explain as much as a teacher — 만큼 gives amount/degree.
H. 어제____ 추워요.
[eo-je ____ chu-wo-yo]
It is as cold as yesterday. ❄️
Answer
만큼 — attach it directly after 어제.
I. 이 노래를 그 노래____ 좋아해요.
[i no-rae-reul geu no-rae ____ jo-a-hae-yo]
I like this song as much as that song. 🎵
Answer
만큼 — compare the degree of liking.
J. 하늘만큼 ____.
[ha-neul-man-keum ____]
It is as wide as the sky. 🌌
Answer
넓어요 — 넓다 means “to be wide.”
Vocabulary Box
- 만큼 → as much as / as…as
- 만큼은 → at least that much / that much, at least
- 처럼 → like / as
- 친구 → friend
- 그것 → that thing
- 이것 → this thing
- 오늘 → today
- 집 → home
- 선생님 → teacher
- 어제 → yesterday
- 노래 → song
- 하늘 → sky
- 먹다 → to eat
- 알다 → to know
- 기억하다 → to remember
- 쉬다 → to rest
- 편하다 → to be comfortable
- 설명하다 → to explain
- 춥다 → to be cold
- 좋아하다 → to like
- 넓다 → to be wide
Tip 💡 만큼 is the equality scale; 만큼은 adds “at least that much” emphasis.
🎉 Equality unlocked. You can now compare effort, size, sweetness, comfort, and sky-level wideness with one tiny scale word: 만큼. And 그것만큼은? At least that much, you definitely know now. ⚖️🧷