What is “-만큼”?

“-만큼” is a Korean particle used to express that the amount or degree of something is similar to or equal to what was previously mentioned. It is commonly attached to quantitative nouns or measurable expressions.

Example: 형 → 형만큼 (as much as my older brother), 숫자 → 숫자만큼 (as many as the number)

1. Usage

1) Similar Amount or Degree

Used to compare two quantities or degrees as being equal or similar.

Grammatical note: Commonly used with nouns that express size, number, amount, etc.

Note: Not typically used with posture verbs (e.g., 앉다, 서다) or identity verbs (e.g., 이다, 되다) unless combined with degree-related adverbs (e.g., 빨리).

Example Sentences

나는 너만큼 많이 먹어. (I eat as much as you do.)
저 날도 오늘만큼 더웠지. (That day was just as hot as today.)
그들은 연예인만큼 유명해졌다. (They became as famous as celebrities.)
케이크가 설탕덩어리만큼 달았다. (The cake was as sweet as a lump of sugar.)
의자가 사람 수만큼 많이 있을까? (Do we have as many chairs as there are people?)
정량만큼 설탕을 넣었는데 왜 너무 달지? (I added the exact amount of sugar, so why is it so sweet?)

2. Fill-in-the-blank Quiz

Choose the correct particle to complete the sentences:

나는 너____ 많이 먹어.
(I eat as much as you do.)
그들은 연예인____ 유명해졌다.
(They became as famous as celebrities.)
케이크가 설탕덩어리____ 달았다.
(The cake was as sweet as a lump of sugar.)
의자가 사람 수____ 많이 있을까?
(Do we have as many chairs as there are people?)
정량____ 설탕을 넣었는데 왜 너무 달지?
(I added the exact amount of sugar, so why is it so sweet?)