-V(ㄹ) 대로 V...

[orbiter]

Can someone please explain this grammar pattern:

Examples:
1) "신사가 꼬일대로 꼬인 나는..."
2) "관계를 복잡할 대로 복잡한다"
3) "중국어. 어려울 대로 어려워."

Thank you!

[trutherous]

Great questions Orbiter! You always ask the best questions!

I'm guessing your specific pattern form -V(ㄹ) 대로 V... expresses the idea "as can be" something is as something as can be

그 관계는 복잡할 대로 복잡하다 -That relationship is as complicated as can be
중국어는 어려울 대로 어려워 - Chinese is as difficult as can be.

을/은/는 대로 -as, like that, just as, as it is

conveys the meaning "as something stands" "following/according as it is"

looks like it gets spaced off when following a VS/AS and attached when used with nouns (but don't count on my grammatical explanation being entirely accurate -I still get the parts of speech confused)

좋을 대로 하세요 - lit: "pleasing as do" --Just do as you please --Please yourself!
하라는 대로 하세요 - Lit: "commanding as do" --Do as commanded --Just do as you are told.

그대로 놓아두는 게 낫겠어요 -It would be best if you leave it the way it is (it in that state)

In the case of using with words like heart "마음" or will "뜻" the meaning appears to be changed to convey the idea of desire or want:

마음대로 되지 않았어요 -It did not turn out the way I wanted (as desired) -- It did not follow as it is in my heart

However, when we look at the expanded form "마음에 원하는 대로" we can see that the expression of desire "원하는" has actually been omitted in the condensed form "마음대로" so here too "대로" actually retains its meaning "as/ as it is/ as it stands."

마음에 원하는 대로 되지 않았어요 - -It did not turn out the way I wanted (in line with my will) -- It did not follow as it stands in my heart

사실대로 말했어요 - I spoke the truth accordingly - I told it like it is - As the truth is, so I said.

결국 모든 것은 하늘의 뜻대로 될 거라고 믿어요 - I believe in the end everything will turn out according to heaven's plan (as is the will of heaven)

(edited typos)

[kc101com]

Hello Orbiter,


Thanks to trutherous as always, it sems like he had explained you well about some confusing phrases with the verbs coming!:)

I just would like to fix few typos only on top of that!

그대로 놓아 드는 게 낫겠어요 -It would be best if you leave it the way it is (it in that state)

-> 그대로 놓아두는게 낫겠어요


사실대로 말헀어요 - I spoke the truth accordingly - I told it like it is - As the truth is, so I said.
-> 사실대로 말했어요



Thank you

Madison
Team Koreanclass101.com

[trutherous]

Thanks Madison!! I fixed them

[team.relationships]

Thanks trutherous for the explanations. It truly shows your passion for Korean! We appreciate it

Cheers,
Neha
Team KoreanClass101.com

[orbiter]

Thank you everybody! 덕분에 많이 배웠습니다!

[team.relationships]

Hi orbiter,

한국어 공부 열심히 하시는 모습이 참 멋지세요!
자주 봬요!

Anne,
Team KoreanClass101.com