HYEJU LANGUAGE LAB · INTERMEDIATE 02 · LESSON 87
-(으)ㄴ/는 대로Just as… / As soon as…
-(으)ㄴ/는 대로 has two everyday jobs. When there is a model to follow, it means “just as.” When you are waiting for an event, -는 대로 means “as soon as,” and the rest of the sentence looks ahead: a promise, a request, or a plan.
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A situation you already know
Your colleague is waiting for a reply, but you are still in a meeting. You promise:
I’ll get in touch as soon as the meeting is over.
The meeting has not ended yet. -는 대로 marks the moment you are waiting for, and 연락드릴게요 is the promise that follows right after it.
Build the form
- 하다 → 하- → 하 + 는 대로 → 하는 대로Complete expression
- 끝나다 → 끝나- → 끝나 + 는 대로 → 끝나는 대로Complete expression
- 배우다 → 배우- → 배우 + ㄴ 대로 → 배운 대로Complete expression
- 듣다 → 듣- → 들- → 들 + 은 대로 → 들은 대로Complete expression
- 계획 → 계획 + 대로 → 계획대로Complete expression
- Following something happening now or regularly: V-는 대로 → 제가 하는 대로 (the way I am doing it).
- Following something already said, learned or heard: V-(으)ㄴ 대로 → 배운 대로, 들은 대로, 말씀하신 대로.
- “As soon as” uses only V-는 대로: 끝나는 대로, 도착하는 대로, 준비되는 대로.
- Nouns take 대로 directly with no space: 계획대로, 순서대로, 마음대로.
- After a verb, write a space before 대로: 하는 대로, not 하는대로.
Think in Korean · an English-speaker’s guide
- English “as” does many jobs; Korean splits them. First ask: is there a model to copy, or a moment to wait for?
- Model to copy: choose the tense of the model. Your teacher already explained it → 설명하신 대로. I am doing it right now → 제가 하는 대로.
- Moment to wait for: -는 대로 plus a future-looking main clause (I will…, please…, let’s…). For something that already happened, use -자마자: 집에 도착하자마자 잤어요, not ✗도착하는 대로 잤어요.
Six examples in context
I’ll let you know as soon as the results come out.
Please text me as soon as you get home.
Try copying what I do.
I read aloud every day, just as my teacher told me.
I wrote it down exactly as I heard it.
Everything went smoothly, just as planned.
Compare with related patterns
-자마자
집에 도착하자마자 잤어요.“As soon as I got home, I fell asleep.” -자마자 works for past events too. The “as soon as” use of -는 대로 looks ahead to a promise, request or plan.
-(으)면
회의가 끝나면 연락할게요.“When the meeting ends, I’ll call.” A plain condition with no sense of urgency. 끝나는 대로 adds “right away, without delay.”
N처럼
가수처럼 노래해요.“I sing like a singer.” 처럼 compares two things that are alike. 대로 means following a model or instruction: 선생님이 가르쳐 주신 대로 노래해요.
| Pattern | Choose it when… |
|---|---|
| V-는 / V-(으)ㄴ 대로 | you follow a model or instruction exactly |
| V-는 대로 (time) | you will act right after an expected event |
| -자마자 | one thing happens immediately after another, past or future |
| -(으)면 | you state a condition, with no urgency |
Common mistakes
The call already happened. For a past event, use -자마자. The “as soon as” -는 대로 needs a main clause that looks ahead.
Even though the meeting will be finished, “as soon as” always takes -는 대로.
You learned it before you tried it, so the model is completed: -(으)ㄴ 대로.
Space after a verb modifier; no space after a noun.
Mini practice · six questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Translation answers are models; other natural wording is possible.
- Fill in the blank수업이 ______ 바로 갈게요. (끝나다)
Check answer
수업이 끝나는 대로 바로 갈게요.
“As soon as” + a promise → 끝나는 대로.
- Fill in the blank친구가 ______ 김치찌개를 시켰어요. (추천하다)
Check answer
친구가 추천한 대로 김치찌개를 시켰어요.
The recommendation came first, so the model is completed: 추천한 대로.
- Choose the natural form어제는 집에 (도착하는 대로 / 도착하자마자) 잠들었어요.
Check answer
도착하자마자
It is a past event, so -자마자.
- Choose the natural form자료가 (준비되는 대로 / 준비된 대로) 보내 드리겠습니다.
Check answer
준비되는 대로
“As soon as the materials are ready” + a promise.
- Fix the mistake레시피 대로 만들었는데 맛이 이상해요.
Check answer
레시피대로 만들었는데 맛이 이상해요.
Noun + 대로 is written together.
- Say it in KoreanPlease do it the way I showed you.
Check answer
제가 보여 드린 대로 해 주세요.
Showing came first → 보여 드린 대로.
Today’s key point
A model to follow → -는 대로 / -(으)ㄴ 대로 (choose by the model’s time); nouns attach directly: 계획대로. A moment to wait for → -는 대로 + a promise, request or plan. Already happened → -자마자.
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