The grammar pattern -는 대로 is one of the most versatile expressions you’ll encounter when learning Korean. It often appears in daily conversations, textbooks, and even Korean dramas. In this guide, we’ll break down how to use -는 대로 in Korean to express “as soon as” and “just as.” Understanding this grammar point will help you connect actions naturally and describe situations more precisely, making your Korean sound both fluent and accurate.
Contents
1. Definition
The grammar pattern -는 대로 is used to mean “as soon as,” “right after,” or “just as.” It can also mean “according to” or “just like.” In English, its closest equivalents are:
- “as soon as”
- “right after”
- “according to” / “just like”
2. Form (Structure)
1. Verbs
- Take the verb stem and add ‘-는 대로’ directly if it ends in a consonant or vowel.
- Example:
- 먹다 → 먹는 대로 (“as soon as [someone] eats”)
- 가다 → 가는 대로 (“as soon as [someone] goes”)
- Example:
- If the verb stem ends in ‘ㄹ’, drop ‘ㄹ’ before adding ‘-는 대로’.
- Example:
- 놀다 → 노는 대로 (“as soon as [someone] plays”)
- 팔다 → 파는 대로 (“as soon as [someone] sells”)
- Example:
2. Adjectives
- Use ‘-(으)ㄴ 대로’ for adjectives.
- For stems ending in a consonant, add -은 대로.
- Example: 좋다 → 좋은 대로 (“just as it is good”)
- For stems ending in a vowel, add -ㄴ 대로.
- Example: 아프다 → 아픈 대로 (“just as it is painful”)
- If ending in ‘ㄹ’, drop the ‘ㄹ’ and add -ㄴ 대로.
- Example: 멀다 → 먼 대로 (“just as it is far”)
- For stems ending in a consonant, add -은 대로.
3. Nouns
- Simply add ‘대로 ’right after the noun.
- Examples:
- 계획 → 계획대로 (“according to the plan”)
- 뜻 → 뜻대로 (“as intended”)
- 약속 → 약속대로 (“just as promised”)
- 마음 → 마음대로 (“as you wish”)
- 일정 → 일정대로 (“according to the schedule”)
- Examples:
Summary Table
| Word Type | Rule | Example |
| Verb | Add -는 대로 after the verb stem (if ending in ㄹ, drop ㄹ first) | 가다 → 가는 대로 (as soon as someone goes) 팔다 → 파는 대로 (as soon as someone sells) |
| Adjective (consonant-ending) | Add -은 대로 | 좋다 → 좋은 대로 (just as it is good) |
| Adjective (vowel-ending) | Add -ㄴ 대로 | 아프다 → 아픈대로 (just as it is painful) |
| Adjective (ㄹ-ending) | Drop ㄹ and add -ㄴ 대로 | 멀다 → 먼대로 (just as it is far) |
| Noun | Add -대로 directly after the noun | 계획 → 계획대로 (according to the plan) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing Immediate Sequence (“As soon as…”)
Used when one action directly follows another.
Examples:
- 집에 도착하는 대로 전화할게요. (I’ll call you as soon as I arrive home.)
- 수업이 끝나는 대로 만나자. (Let’s meet as soon as class ends.)
- 도착하는 대로 메일 확인해 주세요. (Please check the email as soon as you arrive.)
- 영화가 시작하는 대로 불을 꺼 거예요. (They will turn off the lights as soon as the movie starts.)
- 회의가 끝나는 대로 보고서를 제출하세요. (Submit the report as soon as the meeting ends.)
2. Expressing “The Way Something Is Done”
Indicates that something is done exactly as shown, told, or expected.
Examples:
- 선생님이 가르쳐 준 대로 해 보세요. (Try doing it the way the teacher taught you.)
- 메뉴판에 적힌 대로 주문했어요. (I ordered just as it was written on the menu.)
- 안내문에 나온 대로 진행하면 됩니다. (Proceed just as it says in the instructions.)
- 부모님 말씀대로 행동했어요. (I acted just as my parents told me.)
- 친구가 한 대로 따라 했어요. (I copied just the way my friend did it.)
3. Expressing Agreement with a Situation (“According to”)
Used when something is based on circumstances or rules.
Examples:
- 계획한 대로 일이 잘 됐어요. (Things went well according to the plan.)
- 예상한 대로 비가 왔어요. (It rained just as expected.)
- 일정대로 출발하겠습니다. (We’ll depart according to the schedule.)
- 규칙대로 해 주세요. (Please do it according to the rules.)
- 예측한 대로 결과가 나왔어요. (The result came out just as predicted.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- –는 대로 means either “as soon as” or “the way/according to.”
- Only verbs use –는 대로 directly; adjectives use -(으)ㄴ 대로.
- With nouns, simply use 대로 (not 인 대로).
- Pay attention to tense: past, present, and future all change the nuance.
- Useful for both time sequence and instructions.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-는 대로‘.
- 집에 (도착하다) ______ 연락할게요.
(I’ll call you as soon as I arrive home.) - 제가 말하는 (듣다) ______ 적어 주세요.
(Please write it down just as you hear me.) - 친구를 (만나다) ______ 이야기해 줄게요.
(I’ll tell you as soon as I meet my friend.) - 마음이 (가다) ______ 하세요.
(Do as your heart leads you.) - 준비가 (끝나다) ______ 출발합시다.
(Let’s leave as soon as the preparation is finished.) - 그는 약속한 (대로) ______ 행동했어요.
(He acted just as he promised.) - 네가 (원하다) ______ 해 줄게.
(I’ll do it just as you want.) - 문이 (열리다) ______ 바로 들어가세요.
(Enter as soon as the door opens.) - 계획한 (대로) ______ 진행합시다.
(Let’s proceed according to the plan.) - 책을 (읽다) ______ 이해가 되었어요.
(I understood it as soon as I read the book.)
6. Answers
- 도착하는 대로
- 듣는 대로
- 만나는 대로
- 가는 대로
- 끝나는 대로
- 약속한 대로
- 원하는 대로
- 열리는 대로
- 계획한 대로
- 읽는 대로
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using -는 대로 with adjectives incorrectly
- Incorrect ❌: 예쁜는 대로 그렸어요. (I drew it as it was pretty.)
- Correct ✅: 좋은 대로 하세요. (Do as you like.)
💡 Tip: With adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ 대로, not -는 대로.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Forgetting to change ㄹ-ending verbs
- Incorrect ❌: 살는 대로 연락해 주세요. (Contact me as soon as you live.)
- Correct ✅: 도착하는 대로 연락해 주세요. (Contact me as soon as you arrive.)
💡 Tip: Drop ㄹ before adding -는 대로.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using Past Tense Before -는 대로
- Incorrect ❌: 집에 도착했는 대로 전화할게요.
(I’ll call you as soon as I arrived home.) - Correct ✅: 집에 도착하는 대로 전화할게요.
(I’ll call you as soon as I arrive home.)
💡 Tip: Before -는 대로, always use the present tense form of the verb, even if the main clause is future tense or sometimes past tense. The present verb form signals the trigger for the following action.
The grammar pattern -는 대로 allows you to connect actions in time and describe doing things exactly as instructed. It’s an essential structure for intermediate learners who want to sound natural and precise in Korean. By mastering this grammar, you’ll not only improve your comprehension but also communicate with more confidence. Practice it often, and soon it will become second nature.