Intermediate Estimated read: 3 mins

-는 데 비해(서)

Used to draw a direct comparison that highlights a notable difference between two things or situations.

Summary

Equivalent

Whereas / While (by contrast)

Also: -(으)ㄴ/는 것에 비해(서) (Very similar — '는 데 비해' is slightly more natural in spoken form)

Example

Whereas the older sister is extroverted, the younger sister is very introverted.

언니는 외향적인 비해서 동생은 매우 내성적이에요.

Grammar rules

  • Very similar to '-(으)ㄴ/는 것에 비해서'.
  • Use this form when comparing two clauses directly in one sentence: 'A is X whereas B is Y'.

Patterns

1

Verbs (Present Contrast)

Present · Verb Stem + 는 데 비해(서)

2

Adjectives (Present Contrast)

Present · Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 데 비해(서)

Example sentences

Verbs (Present Contrast) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 데 비해(서)

Whereas the older sister is extroverted, the younger sister is very introverted.

언니는 외향적인 비해서 동생은 매우 내성적이에요.

Verbs (Present Contrast) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 데 비해(서)

Whereas my husband sleeps little, I need to sleep a lot.

남편은 잠을 적게 자는 비해서 저는 많이 자야 해요.

Verbs (Present Contrast) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 데 비해(서)

It's a school where getting in is easy whereas graduating is really hard.

입학은 쉬운 비해서 졸업은 정말 어려운 학교예요.

Conversation

A: Are the two products very different?

두 제품이 많이 달라요?

B: Yes, the price is expensive whereas the features are similar.

네, 가격이 비싼 비해서 기능은 비슷해요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Use '-는 데 비해서' to draw a contrastive comparison.

Small but expensive.

Easy to start, hard to maintain.