Pattern: -(으)면
-(으)면 (-(eu)myeon, (eu)myeon)
-(으)면 is a conditional ending used to express 'if' or 'when' in Korean. Essential for talking about conditions or hypothetical situations.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Indicates 'if' or 'when' a certain condition is met.
When to use
Stating conditions, Expressing hypotheticals, Giving advice, Making requests
The nuance
Attach to the verb or adjective stem: use '-으면' if the stem ends with a consonant, '-면' if it ends with a vowel. For past tense conditions, use '-았으면/었으면'. It expresses condition or hypothetical situations.
비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
bi-ga o-myeon jip-e iss-eul geo-ye-yo., bi ga o myeon jip e iss eul geo ye yo.
The verb '오다' has no final consonant, so '-면' is used. It clearly expresses condition.
시간이 있으면 같이 영화 볼래요?
si-gan-i iss-eu-myeon gat-i yeong-hwa bol-rae-yo?, si gan i iss eu myeon gat i yeong hwa bol rae yo?
'있다' ends with a consonant, so '-으면' is naturally attached.
먹으면 건강해요.
meok-eu-myeon geon-gang-hae-yo., meok eu myeon geon gang hae yo.
'먹다' ends with a consonant, so '-으면' indicates condition.
공부하면 시험에 합격할 거예요.
gong-bu-ha-myeon si-heom-e hap-gyeok-hal geo-ye-yo., gong bu ha myeon si heom e hap gyeok hal geo ye yo.
'공부하다' ends with a vowel, so '-면' indicates condition.
비가 오면, 우리는 나갈 거예요.
bi-ga o-myeon, u-ri-neun na-gal geo-ye-yo., bi ga o myeon, u ri neun na gal geo ye yo.
The sentence is logically contradictory; if it rains, usually people don't go out.
운동하면 건강할 거예요.
un-dong-ha-myeon geon-gang-hal geo-ye-yo., un dong ha myeon geon gang hal geo ye yo.
'운동하다' ends with a vowel, so '-면' expresses condition.
늦으면 전화해 주세요.
neuj-eu-myeon jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo., neuj eu myeon jeon hwa hae ju se yo.
'늦다' ends with a consonant, so '-으면' is used to indicate condition for request.
Which of the following is a correct use of '-(으)면'?
What does '-(으)면' mean?
How do you attach '-(으)면' to the verb '먹다'?
