Korean Grammar Bank

HOW TO SAY INSTEAD IN KOREAN

When you want to suggest an alternative or express doing one thing “instead” of another in Korean, there are specific terms and structures you can use.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the different ways to say “instead” in Korean, such as 대신 and 보다.

INSTEAD IN KOREAN WITH NOUNS

When used with noun, the order is reversed compared to the use of instead in English.

For example, Charles instead of John will attend the meeting would be:

존(john) 대신 (instead) 찰스 (Charles) 가 미팅에 참석할 것입니다.

PATTERN

Noun + 대신

오늘은 동생 대신 내가 식사값을지불하겠다.I will pay for the meal today instead my brother.
내일 점심에는 샌드위치 대신샐러드를 먹겠다.For tomorrow’s lunch, I will eat salad instead sandwich.
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부모님 대신 삼촌이 책을사주었다.My uncle bought me the book instead my parents.
나는 기타 대신 바이올린을가져올 것 이다.I will bring my violin instead guitar.
커피 대신 차를 마시는 것이 더좋다.It is better to drink the tea instead coffee.
나는 큰 도시 대신 작은 마을에서사는 것을 좋아한다.I like living in a small town instead big city.
나는 자가용 대신 기차를 타는것을 좋아한다.I prefer to take a train instead a car.
그녀는 여동생 대신 노트를가져올 것이다.She will bring the note instead her sister
다음 주말 대신 이번 주말에파티를 여는 것이 나을 것 같다.Having the party this weekend instead of next weekend would be better.

INSTEAD IN KOREAN WITH VERBS

When used with the verb, the verb is conjugated to ‘infinitive + 는’.

PATTERN

Verb + 는 대신

오늘 오는 대신 내일 올 수 있나요?Instead of coming today, could you come tomorrow?
그에게 이메일을 쓰는 대신 전화를 걸 수 있다.Instead of writing him an email, you could just call him.
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나는 공원에서 뛰는 대신산책을 하는 것을 좋아한다.I prefer to go for a walk instead of running in the park.
오늘 저녁에는 외식하는 대신 요리를 하겠다I will cook dinner tonight instead of going out.
그녀는 회의에 참석하는 대신 친구를 만날 것이다.She will meet her friend instead of attending the conference.
그녀는 오늘 출근하는 대신 재택근무를 할 것이다.She will telework today instead of coming to the office.
우리는 자가용을 운전하는 대신 기차를 탈 것이다.We will take the train instead of driving our car
나는 자전거를 대여하는 대신 구매할 것 이다.I will buy a bike instead of
borrowing one.

INSTEAD IN KOREAN WITH 보다

When ‘instead’ is used with indication of preference, with an expression such as ‘it is better’ or ‘one would prefer’, 보다 can replace 대신.

PATTERN

Noun + 보다

나는 공원에서 뛰는 것 보다 산책을 하는 것을 좋아한다I prefer to go for a walk instead of running in the park.
나는 자가용 보다 기차를 타는 것을 좋아한다.I prefer to take a train instead a car.
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다음 주말 보다 이번 주말에 파티를 여는 것이 나을 것 같다.Having the party this weekend instead of next weekend would be better.
커피 보다 차를 마시는 것이 더 좋다.It is better to drink the tea instead coffee.
나는 큰 도시 보다 작은 마을에서 사는 것을 좋아한다I like living in a small town instead big city.

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FAQs

How to say instead in Korean?

To use instead in Korean with nouns, you need to use the following sentence structure:

Noun + 대신

오늘은 동생 대신 내가 식사값을지불하겠다. I will pay for the meal today instead my brother.

To use instead in Korean with verbs, the structure is a little bit different:

Verb + 는 대신

오늘 오는 대신 내일 올 수 있나요? Instead of coming today, could you come tomorrow?

How to use 보다 to express instead in Korean?

When ‘instead’ is used with indication of preference, with an expression such as ‘it is better’ or ‘one would prefer’, 보다 can replace 대신.

Noun + 보다

나는 자가용 보다 기차를 타는 것을 좋아한다. I prefer to take a train instead a car.

How to say almost in Korean?

Almost in Korean can be expressed by using the following sentence structures:

Verb + ᄅ/을 뻔하다

Example: 나는 수업시간에 잠들 뻔 했어. I almost fall asleep during the class.

거의 다 + Verb

Example: 이제거의다왔다. We are almost here.

거의 모든 + Noun

Example: 거의 모든 사람들은 떠났어요. Almost everyone has left.

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Learn more about almost in Korean in this free lesson.

What structure to express hope in Korean?

Some sentence structures to express hope in Korean:

Verb + 기를 바라다 and Verb + 는 것을 바라다

Another sentence structure would be

Subject + Object+ Verb + ᄊ으면 좋겠다

ᄊ으면 implies a conditional wish or hope (“if”).

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Learn more about hope in Korean in this free lesson.

Whereto find more lessons like this?

You can find more free Korean lessons like this one in our Korean Grammar Bank, where we cover A1, A2 and B1 levels.

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