Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-기보다(는)
rather than …
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Compares two options and prefers clause 2 over clause 1. It also says a description fits clause 2 better than clause 1: 무섭기보다는 슬펐어요 'more sad than scary'.
Forming it
| 쉬다 | → 쉬기보다는 |
| 사다 | → 사기보다 |
| 무섭다 | → 무섭기보다는 |
Examples
주말에는 집에서 쉬기보다는 밖에 나가고 싶어요.
On weekends, I'd rather go out than rest at home.
그 영화는 무섭기보다는 좀 슬펐어요.
That movie was more sad than scary.
Compared with similar patterns
-느니 (G5-012) means 'rather than (something unpleasant), I'd rather …', often with 차라리. -(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에) (G2-052) means 'instead of' (substitution), not preference.