(으)면
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Contents
Description
Adjective/Verb + (으)면 : This pattern is a non final ending used for conditional statements, equivalent to 'if' in English. If there is a time period [i.e. minute(s), day(s) week(s), month(s) etc] 있으면 Noun + 이다 pattern, then the meaning of 있으면 is "in (time period)" or "after (time period)." See examples below. Depending on the context, this pattern can also mean "when."
Notes
- Sometimes gets abbreviated as 음, for example: 먹으면 → 먹음 (do not confuse this with A/V + (으)ㅁ). This is usually when typing on the internet or text messaging casually.
- When combined with A/V + (으)면 and follow by 좋겠다, it can be used to express a wish or desire, see A/V + (으)면 좋겠다.
- If the subject of the dependent and main clause are the same then you use the contrast markers 는/은.
- If the subject of the dependent and main clause are different, then use the subject markers 가/이.
- The dependent clause is attached to 면 and followed by the main clause. See the example below:
| Dependent clause | Main clause |
|---|---|
| 다음 주에 서울로 오면 | 전화해 주세요 |
| If you come to Seoul next week | please call me. |
Conjugation Rule
| Pattern | Case | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule 1: | A/V + 면 | If there is no 받침 or if the adjective/verb stem has ㄹ as a 받침 | 가다 → 가면 알다 → 알면 |
| Rule 2: | A/V + 으면 | If there is a 받침 at the end of the adjective/verb stem | 먹다 → 먹으면 없다 → 없으면 |
Sentence Examples
| Korean | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 오른 비가 오면 안 나갈 거예요. | If it rains today, I will not go out | Polite informal form |
| 시간이 나면 전화해 주세요. | If you have time, please call me | Polite informal form |
| 많이 아프면 집에서 쉬세요. | If you are very sick, rest at home. | Polite informal form |
| 그 사람을 만나면 안부 전해주세요. | Please say hello to him if you see him. | Polite informal form |
| 그 사람 소식을 들으면 알려줄게. | If I hear of him, I'll let you know. | Low form (반말) |
| 눈이 오면 좋겠다. | If it snows, I'll be happy. | Low form (반말) |
| 취직하면 한턱 낼게요. | If I get a job, I'll treat you. | Polite informal form |
| 질문이 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요. | If you have a question, ask me anytime. | Polite informal form |
| 수업 끝나면 전화해. | Please call me when the class finishes. | Low form (반말) |
| 돈 있으면 좀 빌려줄래? | If you have any money, can you lend me some? | Low form (반말) |
Time period + 있으면 N +이다
| Korean | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "10 일 있으면 내 생일이야." | "In 10 days it will be my birthday." | Low form (반말) |
| "1시간 있으면 2010년이야" | "In an hour it will be 2010." | Low form (반말) |
| "10분 있으면 콘서트가 시작할거야." | "In 10 minutes, the concert will be started." | Low form (반말) |
| "철수는 6개월 있으면 제대할거예요" | "Chul Su will be released from the army in 6 months." | Polite informal form |
| "좀 있으면 밤 12시야. 빨리 가자." | "" |
