TL;DR 🦄
- -치고(는) [-chi-go(-neun)] means for a..., considering..., or relative to...
- Use it when something is surprising or noteworthy compared with the normal expectation for that group/category.
- Common shape: N치고는. Example: 초보자치고는 잘해요 — For a beginner, they do well.
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use 
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 초보자치고는, 아이치고는, 가격치고는, 월요일치고는, and 사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요. Listen for the “for that category...” feeling. 🎧
🌈 The Big Picture
-치고(는) attaches after a noun or noun-like phrase and sets up a comparison with what is normally expected from that group.
English often says:
- “for a beginner...”
- “considering the price...”
- “for a Monday...”
- “for someone who just started...”
- “as far as ___ goes...”
Examples:
- 초보자치고는 발음이 좋아요.
[cho-bo-ja-chi-go-neun ba-reu-mi jo-a-yo] — For a beginner, their pronunciation is good. 🗣️
초보자 = beginner; 발음 = pronunciation.
- 아이치고는 말이 아주 논리적이에요.
[a-i-chi-go-neun ma-ri a-ju nol-li-jeo-gi-e-yo] — For a child, their speech is very logical. 🧠
아이 = child; 논리적이다 = to be logical.
- 가격치고는 품질이 괜찮아요.
[ga-gyeok-chi-go-neun pum-ji-ri gwaen-cha-na-yo] — For the price, the quality is decent. 💎
가격 = price; 품질 = quality.
The key feeling: I’m judging this against the usual expectation for that category. ⚖️
🎨 The Core Uses of -치고(는)
1. “For a / considering...” + surprising evaluation
This is the most common learner-friendly use.
- 초보자치고는 잘해요.
[cho-bo-ja-chi-go-neun jal-hae-yo] — For a beginner, they do well.
- 외국인치고는 한국어를 자연스럽게 해요.
[oe-gu-gin-chi-go-neun han-gu-geo-reul ja-yeon-seu-reop-ge hae-yo] — For a foreigner, they speak Korean naturally.
- 오늘 날씨는 겨울치고는 따뜻해요.
[o-neul nal-ssi-neun gyeo-ul-chi-go-neun tta-tteu-tae-yo] — Today’s weather is warm for winter.
2. Noun phrase + 치고는
The noun can be longer than one word.
- 한국어를 배운 지 얼마 안 된 사람치고는 정말 잘해요.
[han-gu-geo-reul bae-un ji eol-ma an doen sa-ram-chi-go-neun jeong-mal jal-hae-yo] — For someone who hasn’t been learning Korean long, they’re really good.
- 처음 만든 음식치고는 맛있어요.
[cheo-eum man-deun eum-sik-chi-go-neun ma-si-sseo-yo] — For food made for the first time, it tastes good.
3. N치고 + negative/general statement
Another important use means among all N / for any N and often appears with a negative.
- 사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요.
[sa-ram-chi-go sil-su an ha-neun sa-ra-meun eop-sseo-yo] — There is no person who doesn’t make mistakes. / Everyone makes mistakes.
- 학생치고 시험을 좋아하는 사람은 별로 없어요.
[hak-saeng-chi-go si-heo-meul jo-a-ha-neun sa-ra-meun byeol-lo eop-sseo-yo] — There are not many students who like exams.
This use feels like “as for members of that group, almost none/all fit this statement.”
🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence
Pattern A: N치고는 + unexpected evaluation
Use this when the result is better/worse/more/less than expected.
- 이 식당은 관광지치고는 가격이 싸요.
[i sik-dang-eun gwan-gwang-ji-chi-go-neun ga-gyeo-gi ssa-yo] — For a tourist area, this restaurant is cheap. 🍜
- 그 사람은 신입사원치고는 일을 빨리 배워요.
[geu sa-ra-meun sin-ip-sa-won-chi-go-neun i-reul ppal-li bae-wo-yo] — For a new employee, that person learns the work quickly. 💼
- 오늘은 월요일치고는 길이 안 막혀요.
[o-neu-reun wo-ryo-il-chi-go-neun gi-ri an ma-kyeo-yo] — For a Monday, traffic isn’t bad today. 🚗
Pattern B: N치고는 + adjective + 편이다
Use 편이다 to soften the judgment.
- 이 방은 원룸치고는 넓은 편이에요.
[i bang-eun won-rum-chi-go-neun neol-beun pyeo-ni-e-yo] — For a studio apartment, this room is on the spacious side.
- 그 영화는 오래된 영화치고는 세련된 편이에요.
[geu yeong-hwa-neun o-rae-doen yeong-hwa-chi-go-neun se-ryeon-doen pyeo-ni-e-yo] — For an old movie, it’s on the stylish side.
Pattern C: N치고 + negative
Use this for broad statements about a whole group.
- 부모치고 자식을 걱정하지 않는 사람은 없어요.
[bu-mo-chi-go ja-si-geul geok-jeong-ha-ji an-neun sa-ra-meun eop-sseo-yo] — There is no parent who doesn’t worry about their child.
- 한국어 학습자치고 발음을 어려워하지 않는 사람은 드물어요.
[han-gu-geo hak-seup-ja-chi-go ba-reu-meul eo-ryeo-wo-ha-ji an-neun sa-ra-meun deu-mu-reo-yo] — Among Korean learners, people who don’t find pronunciation difficult are rare.
🧩 General Formation Rule
Noun + 치고는
- 초보자 → 초보자치고는
- 아이 → 아이치고는
- 가격 → 가격치고는
- 월요일 → 월요일치고는
Noun phrase + 치고는
- 한국어를 배운 지 얼마 안 된 사람 → 한국어를 배운 지 얼마 안 된 사람치고는
- 처음 만든 음식 → 처음 만든 음식치고는
Noun + 치고 + negative
- 사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요.
- 학생치고 시험을 좋아하는 사람은 별로 없어요.
Spacing note
치고 attaches directly to the noun or noun phrase:
- ✅ 초보자치고는
- ✅ 가격치고는
- ✅ 사람치고
- ❌ 초보자 치고는
- ❌ 가격 치고는
📚 Cross-check note
This lesson was checked against the existing lesson set to keep it distinct from Compared to / In contrast: -에 비하여. -에 비해 simply compares against a reference point, while -치고는 compares something to the expectation for its category and often carries a “surprisingly for...” nuance. It is also different from assumption patterns like Assuming a Situation: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 and Supposing an Outcome: -(으)ㄴ/는다고 치다. ✅
🔍 -치고(는) vs Related Grammar
-치고는
For a category; often surprising relative to expectation.
- 초보자치고는 잘해요. — For a beginner, they do well.
-에 비해 / -에 비하여
Compared to a reference point; neutral comparison.
- 작년에 비해 잘해요. — They do well compared to last year.
보다
Simple “than.”
- 작년보다 잘해요. — They do better than last year.
-답다
Having qualities typical of that role/category.
- 학생답게 행동하세요. — Act like a student.
-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고
Treat something as if it were true / count it as.
- 연습한 셈 치고 넘어갑시다. — Let’s treat it as practice and move on.
-(으)ㄴ/는다고 치다
Suppose/assume a scenario.
- 비가 온다고 쳐요. — Let’s suppose it rains.
🪞 Synonym Alert
Possible English translations:
- “for a...” → 초보자치고는 잘해요. — For a beginner, they do well.
- “considering...” → 가격치고는 좋아요. — Considering the price, it’s good.
- “given that...” → 처음 만든 음식치고는 맛있어요. — Given that it was made for the first time, it’s tasty.
- “as far as ___ go...” → 원룸치고는 넓어요. — As studio apartments go, it’s spacious.
- “no ___ ever...” → 사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요. — No person never makes mistakes.
Useful evaluation words:
- 잘하다 — to do well
- 괜찮다 — to be decent/okay
- 넓다 — to be spacious
- 싸다 — to be cheap
- 어렵다 — to be difficult
- 드물다 — to be rare
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ Using -치고는 for any comparison → ✅ Use it when judging against a category expectation.
- ❌ 작년에 치고는 for “compared to last year” → ✅ 작년에 비해 / 작년보다.
- ❌ 초보자 치고는 → ✅ 초보자치고는.
- ❌ Forgetting the surprising/evaluative feeling → ✅ Add an evaluation: 잘해요, 비싸요, 괜찮아요, 넓어요.
- ❌ Confusing 치고는 with 치다 assumption patterns → ✅ 초보자치고는 = for a beginner; 초보자인 셈 치고 = treating someone as a beginner.
🎉 Now you can judge something relative to a category naturally: 초보자치고는 잘해요, 가격치고는 괜찮아요, 월요일치고는 조용해요. Category comparison unlocked. ⚖️✨
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each sentence with a natural -치고(는) form.
1. 초보자 → ＿＿＿＿ 정말 잘해요.
[cho-bo-ja → ＿＿＿＿ jeong-mal jal-hae-yo]
For a beginner, they do really well.
Answer
초보자치고는 정말 잘해요.
2. 아이 → ＿＿＿＿ 말이 논리적이에요.
[a-i → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ri nol-li-jeo-gi-e-yo]
Answer
아이치고는 말이 논리적이에요.
3. 가격 → ＿＿＿＿ 품질이 좋아요.
[ga-gyeok → ＿＿＿＿ pum-ji-ri jo-a-yo]
Answer
가격치고는 품질이 좋아요.
4. 겨울 → 오늘은 ＿＿＿＿ 따뜻해요.
[gyeo-ul → o-neu-reun ＿＿＿＿ tta-tteu-tae-yo]
Answer
겨울치고는 따뜻해요.
5. 사람 → ＿＿＿＿ 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요.
Answer
사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요.
6. ❌ 초보자 치고는 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
초보자치고는.
7. Choose “compared to last year”: 작년치고는 / 작년에 비해
Answer
작년에 비해.
8. Choose “for a beginner”: 초보자치고는 / 초보자에 비해
Answer
초보자치고는.
9. 학생치고 시험을 좋아하는 사람은 별로 없어요 means:
Answer
There are not many students who like exams.
10. -치고는 is strongest when:
Answer
Something is evaluated relative to what is normally expected for its category.
Vocabulary Box
- 초보자 → beginner
- 아이 → child
- 논리적이다 → to be logical
- 가격 → price
- 품질 → quality
- 겨울 → winter
- 따뜻하다 → to be warm
- 실수하다 → to make a mistake
Tip 💡 Ask: “What category is this being judged as a member of?”
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below trains category-based comparison and the negative N치고 pattern. ⚖️
🎯 Practice Hub — Relative to: -치고(는)
Welcome to the category-comparison gym. ⚖️ You’ll practice saying “for a beginner,” “for the price,” “for a Monday,” and “there is no N who...”
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear the completed sentence aloud.
Exercise 1 — Category Anchor Builder 🔧
A. 초보자 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
초보자치고는.
B. 아이 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
아이치고는.
C. 가격 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
가격치고는.
D. 월요일 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
월요일치고는.
E. 관광지 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
관광지치고는.
F. 원룸 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
원룸치고는.
G. 사람 → ＿＿＿＿ (negative general statement)
Answer
사람치고.
H. 학생 → ＿＿＿＿ (negative general statement)
Answer
학생치고.
Form Box
- Evaluation: N치고는
- Broad negative statement: N치고 ... 없다/드물다
- Attach directly: 초보자치고는, not 초보자 치고는.
Exercise 2 — Complete the Evaluation 📈
A. 초보자치고는 발음이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
좋아요. — For a beginner, pronunciation is good.
B. 가격치고는 품질이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
괜찮아요. — For the price, quality is decent.
C. 월요일치고는 길이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
안 막혀요. — For a Monday, traffic is not blocked.
D. 원룸치고는 방이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
넓어요. — For a studio, the room is spacious.
E. 관광지치고는 음식값이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
싸요. — For a tourist area, food prices are cheap.
F. 처음 만든 음식치고는 맛이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
좋아요. — For food made for the first time, the taste is good.
Vocabulary Box
- 발음 → pronunciation
- 괜찮다 → to be okay/decent
- 길이 막히다 → traffic is jammed
- 원룸 → studio apartment
- 넓다 → to be spacious
- 관광지 → tourist area
- 음식값 → food price
- 싸다 → to be cheap
Exercise 3 — Choose the Better Pattern 🧭
A. “For a beginner, they do well.”
① 초보자치고는 잘해요.
② 초보자보다 잘해요.
Answer
① — category expectation.
B. “They do better than beginners.”
① 초보자치고는 잘해요.
② 초보자보다 잘해요.
Answer
② — simple “than.”
C. “Compared to last year, it improved.”
① 작년에 비해 좋아졌어요.
② 작년치고는 좋아졌어요.
Answer
① — last year is a reference point, not a category expectation.
D. “For winter, it’s warm.”
① 겨울치고는 따뜻해요.
② 겨울보다 따뜻해요.
Answer
①.
E. “Let’s suppose it rains.”
① 비치고는
② 비가 온다고 쳐요
Answer
② — scenario assumption, not category comparison.
Decision Box
- Category expectation → N치고는
- Simple than → 보다
- Compared to reference → -에 비해
- Suppose a scenario → -다고 치다
- Treat as/count as → 셈 치다
Exercise 4 — Negative General Pattern 🧩
A. 사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
없어요. — Everyone makes mistakes.
B. 학생치고 시험을 좋아하는 사람은 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
별로 없어요. — Not many students like exams.
C. 부모치고 자식을 걱정하지 않는 사람은 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
없어요. — No parent doesn’t worry about their child.
D. 한국어 학습자치고 발음을 어려워하지 않는 사람은 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
드물어요. — Korean learners who don’t find pronunciation hard are rare.
E. 여행자치고 길을 한 번도 잃어버리지 않은 사람은 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
드물어요. — Travelers who have never gotten lost are rare.
Negative Pattern Box
- N치고 ... 없어요 → There is no N who...
- N치고 ... 별로 없어요 → Not many N...
- N치고 ... 드물어요 → N who... are rare
This pattern often makes broad, proverb-like statements.
Exercise 5 — Translation Challenge ✍️
A. For a beginner, they speak Korean well.
Answer
초보자치고는 한국어를 잘해요.
B. For the price, the quality is good.
Answer
가격치고는 품질이 좋아요.
C. For a Monday, traffic isn’t bad.
Answer
월요일치고는 길이 안 막혀요.
D. For winter, today is warm.
Answer
겨울치고는 오늘이 따뜻해요.
E. There is no person who doesn’t make mistakes.
Answer
사람치고 실수 안 하는 사람은 없어요.
F. For a studio apartment, this room is spacious.
Answer
원룸치고는 이 방이 넓어요.
G. For someone who just started, they’re really good.
Answer
막 시작한 사람치고는 정말 잘해요.
H. Not many students like exams.
Answer
학생치고 시험을 좋아하는 사람은 별로 없어요.
Vocabulary Box
- 막 시작하다 → to have just started
- 길이 막히다 → traffic is jammed
- 원룸 → studio apartment
- 실수하다 → to make a mistake
- 시험 → exam
- 별로 없다 → there are not many / not much
Tip 💡 Translate “for a...” carefully: if it means category expectation, use -치고는.
🎉 Practice complete. You can now make category-based comparisons with -치고(는): 초보자치고는, 가격치고는, 월요일치고는, and 사람치고 ... 없어요. ⚖️✨
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