Meaning and Usage
"도리어" is an adverb used to express a situation that is contrary to what was expected or intended. It often implies that the result or reaction is opposite to what one might assume.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "도리어" in sentences where an action or event leads to an unexpected or opposite outcome, often with a nuance of irony or surprise.
Collocations and Patterns
- 도리어 + verb: emphasizes that the action or result is opposite to expectation.
- 도리어 + negative outcome: highlights an unintended negative consequence.
Register and Politeness
"도리어" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in written or formal spoken Korean.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "도리어" with "오히려," which also means "on the contrary." While similar, "도리어" often carries a stronger sense of unexpected reversal, and is slightly more formal.