대로 Grammar: Meaning, Detailed Explanation, and Practice!

Today we will learn 대로 grammar!

The Korean word 대로 is a grammar particle that connects to other words, clauses, or verbs to mean “in the same way as,” “as,” or “just like.” It’s commonly used to show that something happens exactly as described or experienced.

Let’s break it down in simple terms and learn how to use 대로 in different ways, with plenty of examples to help you understand!

1. Noun + 대로

When 대로 follows a noun, it means “just as” or “in the way of.”

🐻‍❄️Example🐻‍❄️

• 예상대로 일이 진행됐어요.
  (As expected, things went as planned.)
  
  
• 계획대로 여행을 했어요.
  (We traveled as planned.)
  
  
• 규칙대로 해야 합니다.
  (You must follow the rules.)
  
  
  

2. Present Tense + 는 대로

When 대로 follows a present-tense verb stem + -는, it means “as (something is happening)” or “just as (something is).” Adjectives + ㄴ/은 대로!


Key Verbs/Adjectives to Use with the present tense:

말하다 (to say):

• 제가 말하는 대로 (As I say)

편하다 (to be convenient/comfortable): ✨

• 편한 대로 (however you feel comfortable.)
  -> I personally use it a lot!

가다 (to go):

• 제가 가는 대로 (As I go)

행동하다 (to act):

• 제가 행동하는 대로 (As I act)

정하다 (to decide):

• 제가 정하는 대로 (As I decide)

알다 (to know):

• 제가 아는 대로 (As I know)

🐻‍❄️Example🐻‍❄️

• 내가 말하는 대로 따라하세요.
  (Follow what I’m saying.)
  
  
• 걔가 하는 대로 해 봐요.
  (Try doing it the way he’s doing it.)
  
  
• 숙제는 편한 대로 하세요.
  (Please do the homework however you feel comfortable.)
  
  
• 여행은 계획 없이 하고 싶은 대로 했어요.
  (I traveled freely without a plan.)
  
  
• 너가 하고 있는 대로 따라 할게요. (present continuous can also be used!)
  (I’ll follow what you are doing as you’re doing it.)
  
  
• 우리는 가고 있는 대로 갈 거예요.
  (We will go as we are currently going.)
  
  
  
  

3. Past Tense + ㄴ/은 대로 or 던 대로

When 대로 follows a past-tense verb stem + -ㄴ/은 or -던, it means “as,” “just as (it happened)” or “the way it was.”

Key Verbs to Use with Past Experiences:

짐작하다 (to guess): 제가 짐작한 대로 / 짐작했던 대로(As I guessed)

보다 (to see): 제가 본 대로 / 제가 봤던 대로 (As I saw)

듣다 (to hear): 제가 들은 대로 / 제가 들었던 대로 (As I heard)

느끼다 (to feel): 제가 느낀 대로 / 제가 느꼈던 대로 (As I felt)

예상하다 (to expect): 제가 예상한 대로 / 제가 예상했던 대로 (As I expected)

🐻‍❄️Example🐻‍❄️

• 제가 본 대로 설명할게요.
  (I’ll explain as I saw it.)
  
  
• 네가 했던 대로 다시 해 봐.
  (Try doing it again just as you did before.)
  
  
• 친구가 말한 대로 시험이 쉬웠어요.
  (As my friend said, the test was easy.)
  
  
• 그 소식을 들은 대로 상황은 심각했어요.
  (As I heard, the situation was serious.)
  
  
• 역시 내가 느낀 대로였어.
  (As I felt, it was like that. or It was just as I felt.)
  
  
  
  
  

4. Common Expressions Using “대로”


그대로 (As it is)

Used to describe leaving something unchanged or in its current state.

• 문을 그대로 닫아 두세요.
  (Leave the door closed as it is.)
  
  
• 그대로 두지 말고 정리해 주세요.
  (Don’t leave it like that; please organize it.)
  
  

마음대로 (As one wishes)

This is used to express doing something freely or however one likes.

• 아이들이 마음대로 뛰어놀고 있어요.
  (The kids are running around freely.)
  
  
• 마음대로 하세요.
  (Do as you wish. or Do whatever you want.)
  
  

좋을 대로 (As one likes)

• 내가 좋을 대로 할게요.
  I will do it as I like.
  
  
• 좋을 대로 하세요.
  Do it as you like.
  
  
  

Let’s practice! Try these on your own again—I’ve brought the most commonly used ones!

1. As I heard, this movie was a masterpiece. (masterpiece: 명작)
   
   
   
2. If you just follow what I do(as I do), there won’t be any problems. (follow: 따라하다)
   
   
   
3. I’ll try cooking it the way I saw on YouTube.
   
   
   
4. Use the item and leave it as it is. (item: 물건)
   
   
   
5. I’ll tell you what I know(as I know).
   
   
   
6. It was just as I felt. This movie isn’t going to do well.
   
   
   
7. Eat however you want. Whether with a fork or a spoon, eat the way you prefer.
   
   
   
8. As my manager said, this project seems difficult.
   
   
   
9. Let’s stick to the plan. It’s easier to follow the plan.
   
   
   
10. Submit the assignment however is most convenient for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s by email or fax.
    (Submit the assignment: 과제 제출)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

🌼Here’s the answers!🌼

1. As I heard, this movie was a masterpiece.
   제가 들은 대로 이 영화는 명작이였어요.
   (or 들었던 대로)
   
   
   
2. If you just follow what I do, there won’t be any problems.
   내가 하는 대로만 따라하면 아무 문제 없을 거예요.
   
   
   
3. I’ll try cooking it the way I saw on YouTube.
   제가 유튜브에서 봤던 대로 요리를 해 볼게요. / 해 볼거예요.
   
   
   
4. Use the item and leave it as it is.
   물건은 쓰고 그대로 두세요.
   
   
   
5. I’ll tell you what I know.
   제가 아는대로 말해 볼게요.
   
   
   
6. It was just as I felt. This movie isn’t going to do well.
   제가 느낀 대로였어요. 이 영화는 잘 안 될 거예요.
   (or 느꼈던 대로)
   
   
   
7. Eat however you want. Whether with a fork or a spoon, eat the way you prefer.
   마음대로 먹으세요. 포크로 먹던 숟가락으로 먹던 너가 원하는 대로 먹어요.
   (or 편한 대로/ 원하는 대로 / 먹고 싶은 대로)
   
   
   
8. As my manager said, this project seems difficult.
   제 매니저가 말했던 대로 이 프로젝트는 어려울 것 같아요. / 어려워 보여요.
   (or 말한 대로)
   
   
   
9. Let’s stick to the plan. It’s easier to follow the plan.
   계획대로 합시다. 계획대로 하는게 편해요/좋아요/쉬워요.
   
   
   
10. Submit the assignment however is most convenient for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s by email or fax.
    과제 제출은 너가 편한 대로 하세요. 이메일이든 팩스든 상관 없어요.

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