Easy Korean - Level 9, Unit 5: Considering that it is... (-치고)

When you want to say "For a [Noun], it is quite..." or "Considering it is a [Noun]...", you use the particle -치고 (-chi-go). Sometimes it is written as -치고는.

1. Noun + 치고 (For a... / Considering...)

You attach this directly to a noun to set a standard, and then follow it with a statement that goes against the usual expectation for that standard.

• 외국인치고 한국어를 참 잘하시네요. (For a foreigner, you speak Korean really well.) Expectation: Foreigners struggle with Korean. Reality: You are good.

• 겨울치고 날씨가 따뜻해요. (Considering it is winter, the weather is warm.) Expectation: Winter is freezing. Reality: It is warm.

• 처음 한 것치고 정말 잘했어요. (For something you did for the first time, you did really well.)

2. Noun + 치고 ... 없다 (Without exception)

There is a second usage of -치고. When paired with a negative ending like 없다 (does not exist), it means "Every single one (without exception)."

• 한국 사람치고 김치를 싫어하는 사람은 없어요. (There is no Korean person who hates Kimchi. = EVERY Korean likes Kimchi.) Literally: Considering the group "Koreans," someone who hates Kimchi doesn't exist.

• 부모치고 자식을 사랑하지 않는 부모는 없어요. (Every parent loves their child. / There is no parent who doesn't love their child.)

Example Sentences

1. 이 식당은 가격치고 양이 아주 많아요. (Considering the price, this restaurant gives a lot of food.)
2. 농구 선수치고 키가 작은 편이에요. (For a basketball player, he is on the short side.)
3. 요즘 학생들치고 스마트폰이 없는 학생은 없어요. (Of students these days, there are none without a smartphone.)