[Korean Grammar] - (느)ㄴ다기보다는 Expressing choices

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가: 강아지 이름이 뭐였죠? 어딜 가나 데리고 다니시는 걸 보면 강아지를 많이 사랑하시나 봐요.
가: What was the name of your dog again? Seeing how you take it with you wherever you go, it seems like you really love your dog.
나: 하랑이요. 얘는 애완동물이라기보다는 제 친구이자 아들이라고 할 수 있어요.
나: Harang. You could say he’s more like my friend and son rather than a pet.
가: 주인의 사랑을 많이 받아서 그런지 하랑이 얼굴이 빛이 나네요.
가: Perhaps the reason is that he gets a lot of love from his owner, but Harang's face sure is glowing.
나: 그래요? 하지만 하랑이가 제 사랑을 받는다기보다는 제가 하랑이로 인해 더 행복한 삶을 살고 있다고 할 수 있어요.
나: Really? But I think rather than Harang getting my love, it’s more like my life has become more pleasant thanks to Harang.


This expression is used to indicate that the content in the following clause is a more appropriate description of the topic being discussed than the one in the preceding clause.


가: 요즘 승기 씨 이야기를 자주 하네. 너 그 사람 좋아하는구나?
Recently, you’ve been talking about Seunggi a lot. You like him, don’t you?
나: 내가그랬나? 음……. 승기 씨를 좋아한다기보다는 존경한다는 표현이 맞을 거야.
Have I been doing that? Um... Rather than say I like him, I think it’s more accurate to say I respect him.

가: 이 스카프 어때? 선물 받은 건데 여기에 매면 촌스러워 보일까?
What do you think of this scarf? I received it as a gift, but if I wear it here, do you think it will look tacky?
나: 촌스럽 다기보다는 그 옷에는 좀 안 어울리는 것 같아.
Rather than tacky, I don’t think it really matches those clothes.

가: 시각 장애인을 도와주는 사업을 시작하신 특별한 계기가 있었나요?
Was there a special incident that caused you to work to help the visually impaired?
나 특별한 계기가 있었다기보다는 주위에 앞이 안 보여 고생하는 사람들이 여러 명 있다 보니 저절로 그쪽으로 관심이 생겼던 것 같아요.
Rather than say there was a special incident, I seemed to naturally become interested in helping the visually impaired after realizing that there were many such individuals in my community.

>> You can click on the title of each grammar below to see other grammars which also express 'Choices'

1. -느니

2. -(으)ㄹ 바에야
3. -건 -건
4. -(느)ㄴ다기보다는

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>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Intermediate': Click here

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