Conditional -(으)면 in Korean

Overview

The conditional ending -(으)면 expresses "if" or "when" in Korean, making it one of the most versatile CEFR A2 patterns. It attaches to verb stems: -면 after vowel stems, -으면 after consonant stems. This single pattern covers hypothetical conditions, temporal conditions, and general truths.

-(으)면 is used constantly in everyday Korean for making plans, giving advice, expressing wishes, and discussing possibilities. It combines freely with all speech levels and tenses in the result clause, making it extremely flexible.

How It Works

Stem type	Pattern	Example
Vowel stem	-면	가면 (if go)
Consonant stem	-으면	먹으면 (if eat)
ㄹ stem	-면 (ㄹ stays)	살면 (if live)

Use	Example	Translation
Hypothetical	비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.	If it rains, I'll stay home.
Temporal	졸업하면 일할 거예요.	When I graduate, I'll work.
Advice	모르면 물어보세요.	If you don't know, ask.
General truth	봄이 오면 꽃이 펴요.	When spring comes, flowers bloom.

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
시간이 있으면 가요.	si-ga-ni i-sseu-myeon ga-yo	If I have time, I'll go.	hypothetical
비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.	bi-ga o-myeon ji-be i-sseul geo-ye-yo	If it rains, I'll stay home.	future
모르면 물어보세요.	mo-reu-myeon mu-reo-bo-se-yo	If you don't know, please ask.	advice
졸업하면 뭐 할 거예요?	jo-reo-pa-myeon mwo hal geo-ye-yo	What will you do when you graduate?	temporal
싸면 살게요.	ssa-myeon sal-ge-yo	If it's cheap, I'll buy it.	condition
한국에 가면 뭐 하고 싶어요?	han-gu-ge ga-myeon mwo ha-go si-peo-yo	If you go to Korea, what do you want to do?	hypothetical
맛있으면 더 먹어요.	ma-si-sseu-myeon deo meo-geo-yo	If it's tasty, eat more.	advice
날씨가 좋으면 산책할 거예요.	nal-ssi-ga jo-eu-myeon san-chae-kal geo-ye-yo	If the weather is nice, I'll take a walk.	plan
열심히 공부하면 시험에 합격할 거예요.	yeol-sim-hi gong-bu-ha-myeon si-heo-me hap-gyeo-kal geo-ye-yo	If you study hard, you'll pass the exam.	prediction

Common Mistakes

Confusing -(으)면 with -아/어서 for cause

• Wrong: Using -(으)면 for established reasons
• Right: 피곤해서 못 가요 (can't go because tired), NOT 피곤하면 못 가요 (if tired, can't go)
• Why: -(으)면 expresses a condition (if/when); -아/어서 expresses an established reason (because).

Adding tense markers before -(으)면

• Wrong: 갔으면 (using past + conditional)
• Right: 가면 (simple conditional for "if/when you go")
• Why: The -(으)면 clause is typically tenseless. Past + 면 (갔으면) is grammatical but changes meaning to "I wish I had gone" or counterfactual.

Overusing -(으)면 for concessive meaning

• Wrong: 비가 오면 갈 거예요 (meaning "even if it rains, I'll go")
• Right: 비가 와도 갈 거예요 (even if it rains, I'll go)
• Why: -(으)면 is conditional ("if"), not concessive ("even if"). Use -아/어도 for "even if."

Usage Notes

-(으)면 좋겠다 is a common pattern meaning "I wish": 시간이 있으면 좋겠어요 (I wish I had time). -(으)면 되다 means "it's enough if / all you need to do is": 여기 앉으면 돼요 (just sit here). These extended patterns are very productive and natural in conversation.

Practice Tips

• Practice making conditional plans: 내일 날씨가 좋으면... 시간이 있으면... 돈이 많으면...
• Use -(으)면 좋겠다 to express wishes: 한국어를 잘하면 좋겠어요 (I wish I were good at Korean).
• Create if-then chains for study scenarios and daily decisions.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Polite Ending -아/어요 — base conjugation knowledge needed
• Next steps: Even if -아/어도 — concessive "even if" pattern
• Next steps: Regardless -든(지) — "whether or not" pattern