If/When (-(으)면)
-(으)면
Expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation, meaning 'if' or 'when'.
Pattern
Verb/Adjective stem + -(으)면 + Result clause
Explanation
-(으)면 is the primary conditional ending in Korean. Use -면 after stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ, and -으면 after stems ending in a consonant (except ㄹ). It can express both real conditions ('if you study, you will improve') and hypothetical situations ('if I were rich').
This pattern is extremely versatile and frequently appears in everyday Korean. It works with verbs, adjectives, and the copula 이다. For example, 시간이 있으면 같이 가요 (If you have time, let's go together). It can also express general truths: 봄이 오면 꽃이 피어요 (When spring comes, flowers bloom).
At TOPIK Level 3, learners should master using -(으)면 in combination with other grammar patterns, such as -(으)면 좋겠다 (I wish/it would be nice if) and -(으)면 안 되다 (must not). Understanding how -(으)면 differs from other conditionals like -아/어야 and -(으)려면 is also important.
Examples
비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
Biga omyeon jibe isseul geoyeyo.
If it rains, I will stay home.
시간이 있으면 같이 가요.
Sigani isseumyeon gachi gayo.
If you have time, let's go together.
열심히 공부하면 시험에 합격할 거예요.
Yeolsimhi gongbuhamyeon siheome hapgyeokhal geoyeyo.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
맛있으면 더 주문할게요.
Masisseumeyon deo jumunhalgeyo.
If it's delicious, I'll order more.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
비가 왔으면 집에 있었어요.
Correct
비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
For a simple future conditional, use the base form -(으)면, not the past tense. Past tense -(았/었)으면 expresses an unreal wish.
Wrong
시간이 있면 가요.
Correct
시간이 있으면 가요.
있다 ends in a consonant (ㅆ), so use -으면, not -면.
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