-(으)ㄹ 만큼
Used to compare an action or state to another action in terms of degree. Translates as 'as much as' or 'to the extent of'.
Summary
Equivalent
To the extent that... / As much as...
Also: -(으)ㄹ 정도로 (To the extent of... - slightly interchangeable, '-만큼' has stronger comparative feel)
Example
This dictionary is so thick you'd have to memorize an entire book.
이 사전은 책 한 권을 다 외울 만큼 두꺼워요.
Grammar rules
- Can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- '나만큼 열심히 해' = 'Work as hard as me'.
- '포기하고 싶을 만큼 힘들어요' = 'It's so hard I want to give up'.
- '만큼' with nouns is a particle meaning 'as much/many as': '수미만큼 잘해요' (Does as well as Sumi). With verbs and adjectives, it is a clause connector.
울고 싶을 만큼 힘든 하루였어요. (It was a day so hard I wanted to cry.)
Patterns
Degree Comparison
Present · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 만큼
Noun Comparison
Present · Noun + 만큼
Example sentences
This dictionary is so thick you'd have to memorize an entire book.
이 사전은 책 한 권을 다 외울 만큼 두꺼워요.
I want to speak Korean as well as Sumi does.
저도 수미 씨만큼 한국어를 잘 하고 싶어요.
It was a day so cold that your hands and feet would freeze solid.
손발이 꽁꽁 얼 만큼 추운 날이었어요.
Conversation
A: How much did you eat?
얼마나 많이 먹었어요?
B: I ate so much I felt like I would burst.
배가 터질 만큼 많이 먹었어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct comparable degree form.
Very hard exercise.
As good as.