치고는 (chigoneun) means "for a …, considering".
Expresses a standard for comparison or exceptions.
Checked against the official learner dictionary from the National Institute of Korean Language
- Attaches straight to the noun. 는 neun is optional but common.
Build it
When to use it
Better than expected
Surprisingly good, given what it is.
Worse than expected
It works for disappointments too.
No exceptions
In a negative sentence: "every …".
Watch out
No space: it's a particle here.
It needs a surprise. Cold is normal for winter.
In context
8 examples- 1
아이치고는 키가 커요.
Aichigoneun kiga keoyo.
For a child, he is tall.
- 2
겨울 날씨치고는 따뜻해요.
Gyeoul nalssichigoneun ttatteutaeyo.
Considering it's winter weather, it's warm.
- 3
학생치고는 돈을 많이 쓰네.
Haksaengchigoneun doneul mani sseune.
You spend a lot of money for a student.
- 4
그 가격치고는 품질이 좋아요.
Geu gagyeokchigoneun pumjiri joayo.
The quality is good for the price.
- 5
십 년 된 차치고는 상태가 좋아요.
Sip nyeon doen chachigoneun sangtaega joayo.
For a ten-year-old car, it's in good shape.
- 6
여름치고는 시원한 편이에요.
Yeoreumchigoneun siwonhan pyeonieyo.
It's on the cool side for summer.
- 7
첫 데이트치고는 분위기가 좋았어.
Cheot deiteuchigoneun bunwigiga joasseo.
The mood was really nice for a first date.
- 8
그 사람치고는 일찍 왔네요.
Geu saramchigoneun iljjik wanneyo.
He's early, for him.
Practice
8 questions여름치고는 더워요.
Yeoreumchigoneun deowoyo.
It's hot, as you'd expect in summer.
치고는 vs 에 비해
에 비해 e bihae, "compared to", lines two things up side by side. 치고는 measures something against what's normal for its own kind:
- 작년에 비해 따뜻해요. jangnyeone bihae ttatteutaeyo "It's warmer compared to last year."
- 겨울치고는 따뜻해요. gyeoulchigoneun ttatteutaeyo "It's warm for winter."
Without 는: "every single one"
Without 는, and with a negative later in the sentence, 치고 means "of all the X, none …". It's a strong, general statement:
- 부모치고 자식 걱정 안 하는 사람은 없어요. bumochigo jasik geokjeong an haneun sarameun eopseoyo "There's no parent who doesn't worry about their kids."
It can sound backhanded
Because 치고는 says "I expected less", praising someone this way can sting. Telling someone they speak Korean well "for a foreigner" suggests foreigners usually don't. If you want to compliment, keep it simple: 한국어 정말 잘하시네요. hangugeo jeongmal jalhasineyo "Your Korean is really good."
Hanja in this lesson
Words from the examples that are written with Chinese characters. Tap a character to see its page.
Look it up in the dictionary
The entry for 치고는 in two trusted Korean dictionaries.
