보다 (boda): A Formal Guide to Korean “than”, “to see”, and “try
Meta description: 보다 is a core Korean element used for comparison (“than”), as a main verb (“to see”), and as an auxiliary meaning “to try.” This guide defines each use, explains syntax, contrasts it with 더/덜 and 이상/이하, shows frequent combinations such as 보다도 and N보다 먼저/늦게, and provides original examples for accurate, natural production.
Definition and scope
보다 functions in three major ways. First, it marks a standard of comparison and corresponds to “than.” Second, it appears as an independent verb meaning “to see, watch, look at, or examine.” Third, it attaches after the connective suffix 아/어 to make an auxiliary construction meaning “to try doing.” The meanings are distinct but share the idea of setting a reference point. This article treats the comparative marker first, then the auxiliary, and finally the lexical verb. It presents rules, distribution, and representative patterns in a neutral, instructional register.
Comparative particle: N보다 “than”
Basic word order and agreement
The default comparative sentence places the topic or subject first, then the standard with 보다, and finishes with the predicate containing a gradable adjective or adverb. The pattern is A가 B보다 Adjective-다. It means “A is Adjective than B.”
- 오늘이 어제보다 따뜻합니다.
Today is warmer than yesterday. - 이 길이 다른 길보다 조용합니다.
This road is quieter than the other road.
The particle 보다 attaches directly to the standard noun. The standard does not take subject or object markers. The predicate side often uses 더 for clarity, but 더 is optional if the comparative relation is already evident.
- 이 커피가 저 커피보다 더 진합니다.
This coffee is stronger than that coffee.
With verbs and verbal nouns
When comparing actions, learners form a nominal with -는 것 or use a deverbal noun. The sentence evaluates two activities on a single scale.
- 버스를 기다리는 것보다 걷는 것이 빠릅니다.
Walking is faster than waiting for the bus. - 집에서 공부하는 것보다 도서관에서 공부하는 것이 집중이 잘 됩니다.
Studying at the library works better than studying at home.
Adverbial comparatives and placement
보다 can compare degrees with adverbs and expressions of time.
- 올해는 작년보다 훨씬 일찍 더위가 시작합니다.
The heat begins much earlier this year than last year. - 예상보다 늦게 회의가 끝났습니다.
The meeting ended later than expected.
Here 예상보다, 계획보다, 평소보다 appear frequently in formal writing. These forms are concise and suitable for reports.
Emphasis with 보다도
보다도 adds emphasis and signals that the speaker is highlighting the contrast strongly.
- 가격보다도 품질을 우선합니다.
Quality is prioritized even more than price.
The nuance fits policy statements, guidelines, and business rules.
Negative comparatives and boundaries
The comparative may appear with negative predicates.
- 이 방법이 다른 방법보다 효율적이지 않습니다.
This method is not more efficient than the other method.
For strict numerical boundaries, 이상/초과/이하/미만 are preferable to 보다 in administrative text.
- 인원은 20명 이하로 제한합니다.
The headcount is limited to 20 or fewer.
Saying 20명보다 적습니다 is acceptable in conversation but less precise than 이하 for regulations.
Frequent errors and corrections
- Misplacing markers:
Error: 나는 보다 친구가 빠르다.
Fix: 나는 친구보다 느립니다 / 친구가 나보다 빠릅니다.
The particle attaches to the standard only. - Doubling subjects:
Error: 이 책이 그 책이보다 좋다.
Fix: 이 책이 그 책보다 좋습니다.
No extra 이/가 after the standard. - Omitting the scale:
Error: 바다보다.
Fix: 바다가 강보다 깊습니다.
A comparative statement requires an adjective or adverb that defines the scale.
Auxiliary construction: V-아/어 보다 “try doing”
Meaning and register
The auxiliary 보다 after 아/어 expresses an attempt, trial, or exploratory action. The subject performs the action to experience its result. It is neutral in register and fits both spoken and written contexts.
- 새로운 입력 방식을 사용해 보았습니다.
I tried using a new input method. - 다른 경로로 가 보십시오.
Please try going by a different route.
Aspect and limitation
The construction does not directly encode success or failure; it only reports the attempt. Additional phrases describe the outcome.
- 설정을 바꿔 보았지만 변화가 없었습니다.
I tried changing the settings, but there was no change.
For proposals or polite suggestions, -아/어 보시기 바랍니다 or -아/어 보시겠습니까 is used in manuals and notices.
Comparison with “attempt” verbs
The auxiliary 보다 differs from lexical “try” verbs such as 시도하다. 시도하다 describes the act of attempting as an event, while -아/어 보다 integrates the attempt into the main action and highlights firsthand experience.
- 원격 접속을 시도하였습니다. 접속해 보니 지연이 있었습니다.
The first sentence logs an attempt. The second sentence reports experiential result.
Combination with negation and possibility
Negation can target the trial or the base verb.
- 아직 가 보지 않았습니다.
The trial itself has not happened. - 가 보아도 소용이 없습니다.
The trial occurs but brings no benefit.
Such distinctions are common in service guidance and troubleshooting documents.
Lexical verb: 보다 “to see”
Core senses and objects
As a full verb, 보다 means to see with the eyes, to watch a performance, to look up information, or to examine and evaluate. The object takes the object particle 을/를 or a location marker where appropriate.
- 전시회를 직접 보았습니다.
I saw the exhibition in person. - 매뉴얼을 보고 설정했습니다.
I set it up by looking at the manual. - 시험을 봅니다.
In institutional language, this means “to take an exam,” not “to see an exam.”
Collocations in formal style
Official documents favor fixed combinations such as 검토해 보다 in drafts, 참고해 보다 in instructions, and 상황을 지켜보다 in status reports.
- 관련 사례를 참고해 보고 최종안을 확정하였습니다.
The sentence integrates observation with procedural steps and suits administrative minutes.
Interactions with 더/덜, 가장/제일
더 strengthens the comparative by stating that the degree increases relative to the standard. 덜 indicates a lower degree.
- 올해는 작년보다 더 건조합니다.
It is drier this year than last year. - 이 장치는 다른 모델보다 덜 무겁습니다.
This device is less heavy than other models.
For the superlative, Korean uses 가장/제일 instead of 보다.
- 세 모델 중에서 이 제품이 가장 가볍습니다.
Among the three models, this product is the lightest.
보다 does not form the superlative by itself; it only sets pairwise comparison.
Position flexibility and fronting
Writers may move the 보다-phrase to the front for emphasis, especially in headlines and summaries.
- 경쟁사보다 가격 경쟁력이 높습니다.
It places the standard first and reads as a strong claim in business prose.
Fronting is stylistic and does not change the truth conditions. The predicate still carries the gradable meaning.
Quantities, thresholds, and policy language
For loose comparisons, 숫자 + 보다 is acceptable.
- 평균보다 두 배 가까이 판매되었습니다.
Sales were nearly double the average.
For explicit administrative thresholds, 이상/초과/이하/미만 is recommended.
- 체류 기간은 90일 초과를 허용하지 않습니다.
The sentence provides a legally clear boundary. It avoids ambiguity that can arise with 보다 in contractual text.
Contrast sets and parallelism
Korean often builds parallel comparatives for clarity.
- 비용보다 일정이 중요하며, 속도보다 정확성을 우선합니다.
The structure conveys ranked priorities in a policy statement.
보다도 intensifies each contrast when the writer must express strong preference.
- 편의성보다도 안전을 먼저 고려합니다.
The sentence fits safety manuals and public notices.
Practice section with original prompts
- Translate into Korean using the comparative particle.
a. This semester is shorter than last semester.
b. The indoor route is safer than the outdoor route.
c. The result came out earlier than expected.
Model answers:
a. 이번 학기가 지난 학기보다 짧습니다.
b. 실내 동선이 실외 동선보다 안전합니다.
c. 결과가 예상보다 일찍 나왔습니다.
- Write two attempts with the auxiliary.
a. Try restarting the program and check the log.
b. I tried a different browser, but the error continued.
Model answers:
a. 프로그램을 다시 시작해 보시고 로그를 확인하십시오.
b. 다른 브라우저로 시도해 보았으나 오류가 계속되었습니다.
- Replace an imprecise phrase with a policy-appropriate term.
a. 20명보다 많으면 불가합니다 → 20명 초과는 불가합니다.
b. 10시보다 늦게 도착하면 안 됩니다 → 10시 이후 도착은 금지합니다.
These rewrites meet administrative clarity.
Summary and closing remarks
보다 serves three roles that English-speaking learners must separate precisely. As a comparative particle, it attaches to the standard and forms the pattern A가 B보다 (더/덜) + Adjective. As an auxiliary -아/어 보다, it expresses trial without guaranteeing success and suits instructions and reports. As a lexical verb, it means “to see, watch, check, or take (an exam).” Writers combine 보다 with 더/덜, 보다도, and time or expectation nouns such as 평소/예상/계획 to produce concise and exact statements. For numerical limits and legal boundaries, 이상/이하/초과/미만 communicate more strictly than 보다 does. Accurate placement of particles, avoidance of doubled subjects, and consistent use of gradable predicates ensure clean comparisons. This guide provides rules and original examples so that learners can apply 보다 in formal communication with confidence.
