Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄹ 정도로 / -(으)ㄹ 정도이다

Used to describe the degree or extent of an action or state by providing a concrete example of how extreme it is.

Summary

Equivalent

To the extent that... / So much that...

Also: -(으)ㄹ 만큼 (To the extent of... - compares degree more directly)

Example

That food is spicy to the extent that it brings tears to your eyes.

그 음식은 눈물이 날 정도로 매워요.

Grammar rules

  • The embedded clause describes the reference point for the degree.
  • '-(으)ㄹ 정도로' is used adverbially (modifying the main verb), whereas '-(으)ㄹ 정도이다' is used as the final predicate.
  • Can be used with past context: '-았/었을 정도로' to describe past extreme states.

    쓰러질 정도로 피곤한데 계속 일했어요. (I was so tired to the point of collapsing, but I kept working.)

Patterns

1

Adverbial (Degree Modifier)

Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 정도로

2

Predicate (Extent Statement)

Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 정도이다

Example sentences

Adverbial (Degree Modifier) · Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 정도로

That food is spicy to the extent that it brings tears to your eyes.

그 음식은 눈물이 날 정도로 매워요.

Predicate (Extent Statement) · Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 정도이다

That musician's performance is breathtaking (to the extent of being breathless).

그 음악가의 연주는 숨이 막힐 정도예요.

Adverbial (Degree Modifier) · Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 정도로

The line was so long you'd have to wait several hours.

그 줄이 몇 시간을 기다려야 할 정도로 길었어요.

Conversation

A: That grandmother is really healthy, isn't she?

그 할머니 정말 건강하시죠?

B: Yes, she's so vigorous she walks 10 kilometres every day.

네, 매일 10킬로를 걸을 정도로 정정하세요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct degree/extent expression.

Very funny.

Exhausted.