How to use 을/ㄹ 때는요 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 때는요

-(으)ㄹ 때는요 (-(eu)ㄹttae-neun-yo, (eu)ㄹttaeneunyo)

-(으)ㄹ 때는요 emphasizes specific situations or conditions, often for advice or warnings.

Explanation of how to use -(으)ㄹ 때는요 in Korean

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄹ 때는요(-(eu)ㄹttae-neun-yo, (eu)ㄹttaeneunyo)

Emphasizes a specific situation or condition, often giving advice or warnings

When to use

Giving advice, Giving warnings, Sharing experiences

The nuance

Attach -(으)ㄹ 때는요 to the future tense stem of verbs or adjectives to emphasize a specific situation or condition. Mainly used for advice, warnings, or sharing experiences.

Real-world examples

  • 운전할 때는요, 항상 안전벨트를 매세요.

    un-jeon-hal ttae-neun-yo, hang-sang an-jeon-bel-teu-reul mae-se-yo., un jeon hal ttae neun yo, hang sang an jeon bel teu reul mae se yo.

    -(으)ㄹ 때는요 emphasizes advice for the future situation 'when driving'.

  • 회의할 때는요, 핸드폰을 꺼 주세요.

    hoe-ui-hal ttae-neun-yo, haen-deu-pon-eul kkeo ju-se-yo., hoe ui hal ttae neun yo, haen deu pon eul kkeo ju se yo.

    Appropriate for giving a warning in the meeting situation.

  • 밥 먹을 때는요, TV를 보지 마세요.

    bap meok-eul ttae-neun-yo, tvreul bo-ji ma-se-yo., bap meok eul ttae neun yo, tvreul bo ji ma se yo.

    Emphasizes a warning about the situation of eating.

  • 운동할 때는요, 충분히 스트레칭하세요.

    un-dong-hal ttae-neun-yo, chung-bun-hi seu-teu-re-ching-ha-se-yo., un dong hal ttae neun yo, chung bun hi seu teu re ching ha se yo.

    Advice appropriate for the exercising situation.

  • 공부할 때는요, 집중하는 게 중요해요.

    gong-bu-hal ttae-neun-yo, jip-jung-ha-neun ge jung-yo-hae-yo., gong bu hal ttae neun yo, jip jung ha neun ge jung yo hae yo.

    Sharing experience and advice for studying situation.

  • 영화 볼 때는요, 간식을 준비하세요.

    yeong-hwa bol ttae-neun-yo, gan-sik-eul jun-bi-ha-se-yo., yeong hwa bol ttae neun yo, gan sik eul jun bi ha se yo.

    Advice for the situation of watching movies.

  • 운전할 때는요, 음악을 크게 틀어요.

    un-jeon-hal ttae-neun-yo, eum-ak-eul keu-ge teul-eo-yo., un jeon hal ttae neun yo, eum ak eul keu ge teul eo yo.

    -(으)ㄹ 때는요 is mainly for advice or warnings, not listing personal habits.

  • 잠잘 때는요, 불을 켜요.

    jam-jal ttae-neun-yo, bul-eul kyeo-yo., jam jal ttae neun yo, bul eul kyeo yo.

    Not suitable for describing personal habits.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄹ 때는요?

    다음 중 -(으)ㄹ 때는요를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung-(eu)ㄹttae-neun-yo-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung(eu)ㄹttaeneunyoreulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  2. What is the main use of -(으)ㄹ 때는요?

    -(으)ㄹ 때는요의 용도는?(-(eu)ㄹttae-neun-yo-uiyong-do-neun?, (eu)ㄹttaeneunyouiyongdoneun?)
  3. Which sentence is incorrect?

    다음 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eumjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungteulrinmunjangeun?)

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