Lesson 6

Expressing Opinions & Debate

Express opinions, agree/disagree, and participate in discussions.

Expressing opinions and engaging in debate is the apex skill of conversational Korean. Beyond just stating preferences, you need to agree (동의해요 / 맞습니다), disagree politely (저는 좀 다르게 생각해요 — I think a bit differently), and qualify your position (그건 맞지만 — that's true but). The cultural rule: direct contradiction without softening sounds aggressive to Korean ears, regardless of how routine it would be in English or even Japanese.

Useful hedging phrases: 제 생각에는 (in my opinion), 어쩌면 (perhaps), 그럴 수도 있겠지만 (that could be true but), 다만 (however). Strong positions are signaled with structural devices rather than tone — 분명히 (clearly), 확실히 (definitely), 절대로 (absolutely). Practice with low-stakes topics like food preferences or weekend plans before tackling political or social issues; the rhythm of agreement-with-hedge-with-counterproposal is the same regardless of topic.

~(이)라고 보다 / ~다고 생각하다 — I think that / I believe

~(이)라고 보다 and ~다고 생각하다 express opinions. ~다고 보다 is slightly more assertive. 좋다고 봅니다 (I'd say it's good). 필요하다고 생각합니다 (I think it's necessary). Use 보다 for analysis-based opinions, 생각하다 for general thoughts.

이 방법이 효율적이라고 봅니다.i bangbeobi hyoyuljeogiirago bomnidaI believe this method is efficient.

더 많은 논의가 필요하다고 생각합니다.deo maneun nonuiga piryohadago saenggakhabnidaI think more discussion is needed.

~(으)ㄴ/는 데 비해(서) — Compared to

Verb/adj + (으)ㄴ/는 데 비해(서) is used to compare two things. 비용에 비해 효과가 크다 (The effect is big compared to the cost). 기대한 것에 비해 결과가 좋았어요 (The result was good compared to expectations).

노력한 것에 비해 결과가 좋지 않았어요.noryeokhan geose bihae gyeolgwaga joji anasseoyoThe result wasn't good compared to the effort.

가격에 비해 품질이 훌륭합니다.gagyeoge bihae pumjiri hullyunghabnidaThe quality is excellent compared to the price.

찬성하다chanseonghadato agree / to support

Examples저는 그 의견에 찬성합니다.jeoneun geu uigyeone chanseonghabnidaI agree with that opinion.

반대하다bandaehadato oppose / to disagree

Examples이 방안에 반대하는 이유를 말씀드리겠습니다.i bangane bandaehaneun iyureul malsseumdeuri gesseumnidaI will explain the reasons for opposing this plan.

주장하다jujanghadato argue / to claim

Examples전문가들은 규제가 필요하다고 주장합니다.jeonmungadeureun gyujega piryohadago jujanghabnidaExperts argue that regulation is necessary.

근거geungeobasis / evidence / grounds

Examples어떤 근거로 그렇게 생각하시나요?eotteon geungeoro geureoke saenggakhasinayo?On what basis do you think so?

한편으로는hanpyeoneuroneunon the one hand / meanwhile

Examples한편으로는 이해가 되지만, 다른 한편으로는 걱정됩니다.hanpyeoneoroneun ihaega doejiman, dareun hanpyeoneoroneun geokjeongdoemnidaOn the one hand I understand, but on the other hand I'm worried.

결론gyeollonconclusion

Examples결론적으로 이 방안이 가장 효과적이라고 봅니다.gyeollonjeogero i bangani gajang hyogwajeogiirago bomnidaIn conclusion, I believe this plan is the most effective.

Cultural & Language Note

Korean discussion norms favour indirect disagreement, especially across age or rank. Rather than 반대합니다, speakers often lead with partial agreement before introducing an objection. The grammar in this lesson lets you disagree explicitly, but knowing when to soften it matters as much as knowing the forms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

다고 생각하다 attaches to a full clause, so it is 맞다고 생각해요, not 맞다 생각해요. Learners also use 주장하다 where 생각하다 is meant — 주장하다 implies pressing a claim against opposition and sounds combative in ordinary conversation.