Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 때만
-(으)ㄹ 때만 (-(eu)ㄹttae-man, (eu)ㄹttaeman)
-(으)ㄹ 때만 expresses that something happens only in a specific situation or condition.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
An expression indicating that something happens only at a specific time or situation.
When to use
Emphasizing specific situations, Conditional actions, Limited time expressions
The nuance
Attach -(으)ㄹ 때만 to the verb or adjective stem to emphasize that an action or state occurs only at that time. Use '-ㄹ 때' if the stem ends in a vowel, '-을 때' if it ends in a consonant. For example: 가다 → 갈 때만, 먹다 → 먹을 때만.
학교에 갈 때만 우산을 가져가요.
hak-gyo-e gal ttae-man u-san-eul ga-jyeo-ga-yo., hak gyo e gal ttae man u san eul ga jyeo ga yo.
'갈 때만' clearly limits the action to 'only when going to school'.
비가 올 때만 밖에 나가요.
bi-ga ol ttae-man bakk-e na-ga-yo., bi ga ol ttae man bakk e na ga yo.
'올 때만' correctly restricts going outside to when it rains.
친구를 만날 때만 행복해요.
chin-gu-reul man-nal ttae-man haeng-bok-hae-yo., chin gu reul man nal ttae man haeng bok hae yo.
'만날 때만' properly expresses happiness limited to meeting a friend.
운동할 때만 물을 마셔요.
un-dong-hal ttae-man mul-eul ma-syeo-yo., un dong hal ttae man mul eul ma syeo yo.
'할 때만' limits drinking water to exercising times.
먹을 때만 TV를 봐요.
meok-eul ttae-man tvreul bwa-yo., meok eul ttae man tvreul bwa yo.
'먹을 때만' clearly restricts TV watching to eating times.
잠잘 때만 불을 꺼요.
jam-jal ttae-man bul-eul kkeo-yo., jam jal ttae man bul eul kkeo yo.
'잠잘 때만' correctly limits turning off lights to sleeping times.
운전할 때만 휴대폰을 사용해요.
un-jeon-hal ttae-man hyu-dae-pon-eul sa-yong-hae-yo., un jeon hal ttae man hyu dae pon eul sa yong hae yo.
Using a phone while driving is unsafe and inappropriate, so this sentence is unnatural.
책을 읽을 때만 음악을 들어요.
chaek-eul ik-eul ttae-man eum-ak-eul deul-eo-yo., chaek eul ik eul ttae man eum ak eul deul eo yo.
'읽을 때만' correctly restricts listening to music to book reading times.
Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄹ 때만?
Which sentence is incorrect?
What does -(으)ㄹ 때만 mean?
