"If" in Korean — -(으)면 and Conditionals Explained

<h2>One Little Word That Changes Everything: -(으)면</h2> <p>"If you come, I'll be happy." "If it rains, we'll stay home." In English, "if" is one of the most frequent words. In Korean, its equivalent <strong>-(으)면</strong> (-myeon) is just as essential — and fortunately, easier to master than you might think.</p> <p>After 12 years in Seoul, I use it dozens of times a day. It's the foundation for forming conditions, hypotheticals, and wishes.</p> <h2>How to Form -(으)면</h2> <p>The rule is simple:</p> <ul> <li>If the stem ends in a <strong>consonant</strong> → add <strong>-으면</strong></li> <li>If the stem ends in a <strong>vowel</strong> → add <strong>-면</strong></li> </ul> <table> <tr><th>Verb</th><th>Stem</th><th>+ -(으)면</th><th>Meaning</th></tr> <tr><td>[가다](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%80%EB%8B%A4) (gada)</td><td>가-</td><td>가면 (gamyeon)</td><td>if one goes</td></tr> <tr><td>먹다 (meokda)</td><td>먹-</td><td>먹으면 (meogeumyeon)</td><td>if one eats</td></tr> <tr><td>오다 (oda)</td><td>오-</td><td>오면 (omyeon)</td><td>if one comes</td></tr> <tr><td>있다 (itda)</td><td>있-</td><td>있으면 (isseumyeon)</td><td>if there is / if one has</td></tr> <tr><td>크다 (keuda)</td><td>크-</td><td>크면 (keumyeon)</td><td>if it's big</td></tr> <tr><td>좋다 (jota)</td><td>좋-</td><td>좋으면 (joeumyeon)</td><td>if it's good</td></tr> </table> <h2>Real Conditions</h2> <p>These are everyday "if" situations — completely possible scenarios:</p> <ul> <li>비가 오면 우산을 가져가세요. (biga omyeon usaneul gajyeogaseyo) — If it rains, take an umbrella.</li> <li>시간이 있으면 같이 가요. (sigani isseumyeon gachi gayo) — If you have time, let's go together.</li> <li>배가 고프면 밥을 먹어요. (baega gopeumyeon babeul meogeoyo) — If you're hungry, eat.</li> <li>한국에 가면 불고기를 꼭 먹어 보세요. (hanguge gamyeon bulgogireul kkok meogeo boseyo) — If you go to Korea, definitely try bulgogi.</li> <li>모르면 물어보세요. (moreumyeon mureo boseyo) — If you don't know, ask.</li> </ul> <h2>-(으)면 as "When"</h2> <p>In Korean, -(으)면 can also mean "when" for habitual or inevitable events:</p> <ul> <li>봄이 오면 꽃이 펴요. (bomi omyeon kkochi pyeoyo) — When spring comes, flowers bloom.</li> <li>아침에 일어나면 커피를 마셔요. (achime ireonamyeon keopireul masyeoyo) — When I wake up in the morning, I drink coffee.</li> </ul> <h2>Expressing Wishes: -면 좋겠다</h2> <p>The structure <strong>-(으)면 좋겠다</strong> expresses a wish or desire:</p> <ul> <li>한국어를 잘하면 좋겠어요. (hangugeoreul jalhemyeon jokesseoyo) — I wish I could speak Korean well.</li> <li>내일 날씨가 좋으면 좋겠어요. (naeil nalssiga joeumyeon jokesseoyo) — I hope the weather will be nice tomorrow.</li> <li>빨리 끝나면 좋겠다. (ppalli kkeunnamyeon joketda) — I wish it would end soon.</li> <li>시험에 합격하면 좋겠어요. (siheome hapgyeokamyeon jokesseoyo) — I hope I pass the exam.</li> </ul> <h2>Hypothetical Conditionals</h2> <p>For unreal situations ("if I were rich..."), Korean also uses -(으)면 but context makes it clear it's hypothetical:</p> <ul> <li>돈이 많으면 세계 여행을 할 거예요. (doni maneumyeon segae yeohaengeul hal geoyeyo) — If I had a lot of money, I would travel the world.</li> <li>시간이 있으면 한국어를 더 공부할 텐데. (sigani isseumyeon hangugeoreul deo gongbuhal tende) — If I had time, I would study more Korean.</li> </ul> <h2>Common Expressions with -(으)면</h2> <table> <tr><th>Expression</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Example</th></tr> <tr><td>-면 되다</td><td>all you need to do is</td><td>가면 돼요. (gamyeon dwaeyo) — You just need to go.</td></tr> <tr><td>-면 안 되다</td><td>must not</td><td>여기서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요. (yeogiseo dambaereul piumyeon an dwaeyo) — You must not smoke here.</td></tr> <tr><td>-면 좋겠다</td><td>I wish / I hope</td><td>내일 비가 안 오면 좋겠어요. — I hope it won't rain tomorrow.</td></tr> <tr><td>-면 어떡해요?</td><td>what if...?</td><td>버스를 놓치면 어떡해요? (beoseureul nochimyeon eotteokaeyo) — What if we miss the bus?</td></tr> </table> <h2>Exercises</h2> <p>Complete with -(으)면:</p> <ol> <li>시간이 _______ 영화를 볼 [거예요](/en/dictionary/%EA%B1%B0%EC%98%88%EC%9A%94). (If I have time, I'll watch a movie.)</li> <li>한국에 _______ 뭐 하고 싶어요? (If you go to Korea, what do you want to do?)</li> <li>피곤_______ 쉬세요. (If you're tired, rest.)</li> <li>날씨가 좋_______ 좋겠어요. (I hope the weather will be nice.)</li> </ol> <p><strong>Answers:</strong></p> <ol> <li>시간이 <strong>있으면</strong></li> <li>한국에 <strong>[가면](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%80%EB%A9%B4)</strong></li> <li>피곤<strong>하면</strong></li> <li>좋<strong>으면</strong></li> </ol> <h2>Ready for the Next Level?</h2> <p>Conditionals with -(으)면 are an essential tool. On <a href="/en/signup">Seonsaengnim</a>, you practice them in real dialogues and interactive quizzes. Sign up and level up every day!</p>