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Easy Korean - Level 6, Unit 30: Instead of... (-대신에)

In the final unit of Level 6, we will learn how to say "instead of" or "in return for." The word we use is 대신에 (dae-sin-e).

1. Noun + 대신에 (Instead of [Noun])

To say "instead of a noun," you simply place 대신에 right after the noun (with a space). (Note: You can drop the '에' in spoken Korean and just say 대신).

  • 커피 (coffee) -> 커피 대신에 (instead of coffee)
  • 저 (me) -> 저 대신에 (instead of me)

  • 이거 (this) -> 이거 대신에 (instead of this)

  • 저 대신에 민수 씨가 갈 거예요. (Minsoo will go instead of me.)

2. Verb + -는 대신에 (Instead of [Verb] / In return for [Verb])

When you want to use an action verb, you must attach -는 대신에 to the verb stem.

  • 가다 (to go) -> 가는 대신에 (instead of going)
  • 사다 (to buy) -> 사는 대신에 (instead of buying)
  • 놀다 (ㄹ drops) -> 노는 대신에 (instead of playing)

Important Nuance (In return for): When used with verbs, -는 대신에 often means "compensation" or "in return for doing X, you will do Y." * 제가 영어를 가르쳐 주는 대신에, 민수 씨가 한국어를 가르쳐 주세요. (In return for me teaching you English, please teach me Korean.)

Adjectives + -(으)ㄴ 대신에

When used with adjectives, it means "On the other hand" or "But." (It has this trait but instead it has this other trait). * 이 집은 비싼 대신에 아주 좋아요. (This house is expensive, but on the other hand it's very nice.)

Example Sentences

  1. 오늘 저녁은 밥 대신에 피자를 먹을까요? (Shall we eat pizza instead of rice for dinner tonight?)
  2. 토요일에 일하는 대신에 월요일에 쉴 거예요. (Instead of working on Saturday, I will rest on Monday.)
  3. 비행기 표가 비싼 대신에 빨리 갈 수 있어요. (The plane ticket is expensive, but in return you can go quickly.)