LEARN + KOREAN / 124 of 125 TOPIK II

Perhaps, Rather Than -기보다는

You are thinking about your next few years. “Perhaps I’ll work abroad” keeps the future open; “rather than choosing quickly” explains the approach you prefer. Both help a plan stay thoughtful without sounding settled.

A Tentative View or Expectation

Verb or adjective stem + -지 않을까 싶다 offers a cautious thought, expectation, or intention: 필요하지 않을까 싶어요. Although the form contains a negative question, it often suggests a positive possibility: “I suspect it may…”.

naenyeoneneun oegugeseo ilhaji aneulkka sipeoyo.

I think I may be working abroad next year.

junbihal sigani jogeum deo piryohaji aneulkka sipeoyo.

I think we may need a little more time to prepare.

Prefer One Approach Over Another

Use verb stem + -기보다는 before the preferred action or description: 서두르기보다는 기다리다. It can express a preference or correct how something should be characterised. Nouns use -(이)라기보다는 when contrasting descriptions.

ppalli gyeoljeonghagibodaneun chungbunhi saenggakhago sipeoyo.

Rather than deciding quickly, I want to think it through.

honja junbihagibodaneun gyeongheomi inneun saramege mureobol geoyeyo.

Rather than preparing alone, I’ll ask someone with experience.

Hint · 힌트

-는 대신에 can replace one action with another. -기보다는 often presents the second as the better choice or the more accurate description, rather than simply recording a substitution.

Vocabulary

Korean	English
결정하다 gyeoljeonghada	to decide
충분히 chungbunhi	sufficiently
경험 gyeongheom	experience
준비하다 junbihada	to prepare
외국 oeguk	foreign country
계획 gyehoek	plan
진학하다 jinhakhada	to continue to higher education
독립하다 dongniphada	to become independent
입사하다 ipsahada	to join a company
창업하다 changeophada	to start a business
도전하다 dojeonhada	to take on a challenge
가정을 이루다 gajeongeul iruda	to start a family
출산하다 chulsanhada	to give birth
아이를 기르다 aireul gireuda	to raise a child
은퇴하다 euntoehada	to retire
노후 nohu	one’s later years
진로 jillo	career path
미래 mirae	future
목표 mokpyo	goal
신중하다 sinjunghada	to be prudent

YOUR PROGRESS

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