Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 때는
-(으)ㄹ 때는 (-(eu)ㄹttae-neun, (eu)ㄹttaeneun)
-(으)ㄹ 때는 indicates the time when an action or situation occurs, mainly for future or habitual contexts.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Indicates the time or situation when something happens.
When to use
future action timing, habitual situations, advice or caution, conditional situations
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ 때는 to the verb or adjective stem. Use '-을 때는' if the stem ends with a consonant, '-ㄹ 때는' if it ends with a vowel. It mainly expresses the time of a future action or habitual situation.
학교에 갈 때는 꼭 마스크를 써야 해요.
hak-gyo-e gal ttae-neun kkok ma-seu-keu-reul sseo-ya hae-yo., hak gyo e gal ttae neun kkok ma seu keu reul sseo ya hae yo.
‘가다’ has no final consonant, so ‘-ㄹ 때는’ is correct; it indicates future action timing.
운전할 때는 항상 조심하세요.
un-jeon-hal ttae-neun hang-sang jo-sim-ha-se-yo., un jeon hal ttae neun hang sang jo sim ha se yo.
‘운전하다’ has no final consonant, so ‘-ㄹ 때는’ is correct; it expresses advice.
밥을 먹을 때는 손을 씻으세요.
bap-eul meok-eul ttae-neun son-eul ssis-eu-se-yo., bap eul meok eul ttae neun son eul ssis eu se yo.
‘먹다’ has a final consonant, so ‘-을 때는’ is correct; it indicates habitual situation.
비가 올 때는 우산을 가져가세요.
bi-ga ol ttae-neun u-san-eul ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo., bi ga ol ttae neun u san eul ga jyeo ga se yo.
‘오다’ has no final consonant, so ‘-ㄹ 때는’ is correct; it expresses conditional situation.
운동할 때는 물을 많이 마셔요.
un-dong-hal ttae-neun mul-eul man-i ma-syeo-yo., un dong hal ttae neun mul eul man i ma syeo yo.
‘운동하다’ has no final consonant, so ‘-ㄹ 때는’ is correct; it indicates habitual situation.
책을 읽을 때는 조용히 해야 해요.
chaek-eul ik-eul ttae-neun jo-yong-hi hae-ya hae-yo., chaek eul ik eul ttae neun jo yong hi hae ya hae yo.
‘읽다’ has a final consonant, so ‘-을 때는’ is correct; it indicates habitual action.
학교에 갈 때는 꼭 마스크를 안 써야 해요.
hak-gyo-e gal ttae-neun kkok ma-seu-keu-reul an sseo-ya hae-yo., hak gyo e gal ttae neun kkok ma seu keu reul an sseo ya hae yo.
The negative ‘안 써야 해요’ contradicts expected advice, making it unnatural.
운전할 때는 조심하지 마세요.
un-jeon-hal ttae-neun jo-sim-ha-ji ma-se-yo., un jeon hal ttae neun jo sim ha ji ma se yo.
Negative commands in advice/caution contexts are unnatural here.
Which sentence correctly uses ‘-(으)ㄹ 때는’?
What is the correct ‘-(으)ㄹ 때는’ form for the verb ‘먹다’?
What is the correct form to attach to ‘운전하다’?
