Unit 21: For A... (-치고(는))

In Easy Korean, when something goes against the general expectation for a certain category, you use -치고 or -치고는. It translates to "considering that it is a..." or "for a...".

Structure

Noun + -치고(는)

• 외국인 -> 외국인치고는 (For a foreigner)
• 겨울 -> 겨울치고는 (Considering it is winter)
• 처음 -> 처음치고는 (For the first time)

(Note: Adding '는' makes it a bit more emphatic, but they mean the same thing.)

Alternate Usage

When used with a negative ending, -치고 (without 는) means "every single one" or "there are no exceptions." - 한국인치고 김치를 싫어하는 사람은 없어요. (There is no Korean who dislikes kimchi = Every Korean likes kimchi.)

Examples

• 겨울치고는 날씨가 따뜻해요. (For winter, the weather is warm.)
• 처음 만든 것치고는 잘 만들었어요. (For something made for the first time, it's made well.)