Processing keyword: ~할 수록 [hal surok] (The more...)

Korean Grammar Point: ~할 수록 [hal surok] (The more...)

1. Introduction

In Korean, the grammatical expression ~할수록 is used to convey the meaning of "the more [someone does something], the more [something happens]." It's a way to express a proportional or correlational relationship between two actions or states. This structure emphasizes that as one aspect increases or intensifies, another aspect changes in response.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

~할수록 is used to indicate that as one action or state continues or intensifies, another action or state also changes correspondingly. It reflects a cause-and-effect relationship where the first clause influences the second.

• English Equivalent: "The more... the more..."

Structure

The formation of ~할수록 depends on the verb or adjective stem to which it is attached.

Formation:

1. For Verb and Adjective Stems Ending with a Vowel or the Consonant ㄹ:
   • Stem + -ㄹ수록
2. For Verb and Adjective Stems Ending with Other Consonants:
   • Stem + -을수록

Formation Diagram

Type	Stem	Attachment	Result
Ends with Vowel or ㄹ	가다 (to go)	-ㄹ수록	갈수록
	길다 (to be long)	-ㄹ수록	길수록
Ends with Other Consonants	먹다 (to eat)	-을수록	먹을수록
	작다 (to be small)	-을수록	작을수록

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3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

• 면 ~수록 (myeon ~surok): Sometimes, ~면 is added before ~(으)ㄹ수록 for emphasis, forming expressions like 가면 갈수록 ("the more I go, the more...").
  • Example: 보면 볼수록 재미있어요.
    The more I watch it, the more interesting it becomes.
• 아/어 갈수록 (a/eo galsurok): Another form to express a progressing change over time.
  • Example: 날씨가 추워져 갈수록 옷을 따뜻하게 입어야 해요.
    As the weather keeps getting colder, you need to dress warmly.

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4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. 사람은 나이가 들수록 지혜로워져요.
   People become wiser as they get older.
2. 친구와 만나면 만날수록 즐거워요.
   The more I meet with my friend, the happier I am.
3. 한국어를 공부할수록 재미있어요.
   The more I study Korean, the more interesting it becomes.
4. 생각할수록 그 아이디어가 좋아 보여요.
   The more I think about it, the better that idea seems.
5. 운동을 할수록 건강해져요.
   The more you exercise, the healthier you become.
6. 갈수록 한국 문화에 대한 관심이 커지고 있어요.
   I'm becoming more interested in Korean culture as time goes by.

Formal and Informal Usage

• Informal Speech:
  • 볼수록 매력적이야.
    The more I see it, the more attractive it is.
• Polite Speech:
  • 볼수록 매력적이에요.
    The more I see it, the more attractive it is.
• Formal Speech:
  • 볼수록 매력적입니다.
    The more I see it, the more attractive it is.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Korean Proverb:
  • 갈수록 태산 (Galsurok taesan)
    Literal Translation: "As you go, it's Mount Taishan."
    Meaning: Things are getting harder and harder.
  • This expression uses 갈수록 to convey that as one proceeds, the situation becomes increasingly challenging.

Levels of Politeness

• The use of ~할수록 itself doesn't affect the politeness level, but the sentence endings do. Ensure that you adjust the verb endings according to the formality needed in the context.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Incorrect Attachment After Consonants:
   • Incorrect: 먹다 → 먹다수록
   • Correct: 먹다 → 먹을수록
2. Omitting 'ㄹ' After Vowels or 'ㄹ':
   • Incorrect: 가다 → 가수록
   • Correct: 가다 → 갈수록

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Remember that 수록 needs a bridge consonant, which is ㄹ. So, if the stem ends with a vowel or ㄹ, add -ㄹ수록. If it ends with any other consonant, add -을수록.
• Practice with Common Verbs: Create sentences using frequently used verbs to become comfortable with the pattern.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~할수록 expresses a proportional relationship: "The more... the more..."
• Attach -ㄹ수록 after stems ending with a vowel or ㄹ, and -을수록 after stems ending with other consonants.
• Adjust the sentence ending to match the appropriate level of politeness.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Form the correct ~할수록 form of the verb 배우다 (to learn). Answer: 배울수록
2. Translate into Korean:
   The more you listen, the better your understanding becomes. Answer: 들을수록 이해가 더 잘 돼요.
3. Identify the mistake in the following sentence and correct it:
   예쁘다 → 예쁘을수록 Answer: The incorrect attachment is 예쁘+을수록. Since 예쁘다 ends with a vowel, it should be 예쁠수록.

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By understanding and practicing the use of ~할수록, you can express increasingly complex relationships between actions and states in Korean, making your speech and writing more nuanced and natural.

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