Let's study the Korean grammar structure "-(으)ㄹ수록" today! This grammar pattern expresses the idea that as one condition increases or changes, so does another related condition. It’s commonly used to indicate a proportional or escalating relationship between two clauses.
Definition:
"-(으)ㄹ수록" is a connective ending in Korean used to convey a progressive or proportional relationship. It can be translated as “the more… the more…” or “as… more…”.
Usage:
"-(으)ㄹ수록" attaches to verbs and adjectives.
It is used when describing situations where one action or quality intensifies another.
It helps express that the degree or extent of one action or state leads to an increase in another action or state.
Formation:
If the stem ends in a consonant, use "-을수록":
먹다 (to eat) → 먹을수록 (the more one eats)
많다 (to be many) → 많을수록 (the more there is)
If the stem ends in a vowel, use "-ㄹ수록":
가다(to go) → 갈수록 (the more one goes)
예쁘다(to be pretty) → 예쁠수록 (the prettier one is)
If the stem ends in ㄹ, simply use "-수록" (since ㄹ is dropped before adding -ㄹ):
만들다(to make) → 만들수록 (the more one makes)
길다 (to be long) → 길수록 (the longer it is)
Examples:
일을 할수록 능력이 향상돼요.
(The more you work, the more your skills improve.)생각할수록 복잡해져요.
(The more you think about it, the more complicated it gets.)사람이 많을수록 재미있어요.
(The more people there are, the more fun it is.)친해질수록 서로를 더 잘 이해해요.
(The closer you get, the better you understand each other.)
Similar Grammar Structures:
"-면 -(으)ㄹ수록": This structure can add emphasis, meaning “If you do something, then the more you do it…”
예: 노력하면 할수록 실력이 늘어요.
(The more you try, the more your skills improve.)
"-면서": While "-면서" connects simultaneous actions, "-(으)ㄹ수록" implies an intensifying relationship, not merely parallel actions.
Considerations for Use:
"-(으)ㄹ수록" usually appears in the first clause, followed by the result or effect in the second clause.
It often works well with adjectives and verbs expressing continuous or increasing conditions.
By understanding "-(으)ㄹ수록", you’ll be able to express nuanced, progressive relationships between conditions in Korean, making your expressions more dynamic and descriptive.