– (느)ㄴ다기보다는 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: 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.
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
>> Full of ‘Korean grammar in use – Intermediate’: Click here
>> Full of ‘Korean grammar in use – Advanced’: Click here
>> Follow my page to get Korean lessons: Say Hi Korean
