Classical Conditional: -ㄴ/은즉 (If, Since)

This grammar point acts as a bridge between a premise and a result. Imagine you are a detective. You look at a clue, and then you reach a conclusion. That bridge is ㄴ/은즉. It has two main jobs. First, it marks a reason or a discovery. You do an action, and *since* you did it, you found something out. For example, "I went to the palace, and *since* I did, I saw the king." Second, it sets up a logical condition. It's like saying, "If this is the case, then that must follow." It is much more "set in stone" than the common -(으)면 you might already know. It doesn't just suggest a possibility. It feels like a law of nature. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Once the first part turns green, the second part must happen. It’s very structured and very precise.

1. 1Attaching this to words is like building a LEGO set. It follows a very strict logic. Here is how you do it:
2. 2Identify the stem of your verb or adjective.
3. 3Check the bottom of the stem for a "batchim" (a final consonant).
4. 4If there is no consonant (ends in a vowel), add -ㄴ즉. For example, 가다 (to go) becomes 간즉.
5. 5If there is a consonant, add -은즉. For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹은즉.
6. 6If the word ends in ㄹ, you have to be careful. Drop the ㄹ first. Then add -ㄴ즉. So, 알다 (to know) becomes 안즉.
7. 7For nouns, life is even easier. Just add -인즉. For example, 사실 (fact) becomes 사실인즉.
8. 8It’s a very rhythmic pattern. Once you say it a few times, it starts to feel like a chant. 간즉, 먹은즉, 사실인즉. It sounds very scholarly, doesn't it?

You should use ㄴ/은즉 when you want to sound incredibly formal or literary. It is perfect for writing a formal speech or a poem. You will see it most often in proverbs. These are the short, wise sayings your grandmother might tell you. For instance, "Since the water is deep, it is quiet." It is also the king of historical dramas. If you are writing a script about the Joseon Dynasty, this is your best friend. Another great spot is in legal or logical arguments. When you are presenting a "fact-based reason," this ending adds a layer of authority. It says, "I am not just guessing; this is the logical outcome." If you are reading a 100-year-old Korean book, you will see this on every other page. It’s also used when you want to emphasize a "discovery." "I heard the news, and *since* I did, I realized the truth."

This is the most important part! Do not use this with your friends. If you say 배고픈즉 피자 먹자 (Since I'm hungry, let's eat pizza), your friends might look for a hidden camera. It is far too heavy for casual life. It’s like trying to cut a grape with a giant broadsword. It just doesn't fit the vibe. Avoid it in text messages or emails to coworkers. It can make you sound arrogant or weirdly old-fashioned. Also, don't use it for simple "if" statements about the future. For example, "If it rains tomorrow" should stay as 비가 오면. Using ㄴ/은즉 there makes it sound like a prophecy from a wizard. Unless you actually are a wizard, stick to the basics for daily weather reports!

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The most common trip-up is the ㄹ irregular rule. Many people forget to drop the ㄹ. They might say 알은즉, which sounds very clunky. Always remember: ㄹ disappears before -ㄴ. Another mistake is using it for the wrong "since." Don't confuse it with -니까. While -니까 is for giving a personal reason (like "I'm tired, so I'm sleeping"), ㄴ/은즉 is for a logical discovery. A funny mistake is using it with modern slang. Mixing a classical ending with a word like "vibe" or "flex" creates a grammar monster. It’s a bit like a knight in armor wearing neon sneakers. It just looks wrong. Finally, watch your tense. It’s usually used for things that are already true or discovered, not for wild guesses.

How is this different from your everyday grammar? Let’s compare.

• ㄴ/은즉 vs. -(으)니까: -(으)니까 is your daily workhorse. You use it for everything from "Because I'm busy" to "Since it's late." ㄴ/은즉 is the specialized tool. It is for "Since I checked, I found out..." or "Since this logic holds..."
• ㄴ/은즉 vs. -(으)면: -(으)면 is a simple "if." It’s about possibilities. ㄴ/은즉 is a "logical conditional." It’s more about "Since this is true, that follows."
• ㄴ/은즉 vs. -더니: -더니 is about observing a change. "It was cold, and now it's hot." ㄴ/은즉 is about the logical basis for that change.

Think of ㄴ/은즉 as the formal grandfather of all these rules. It’s older, wiser, and much more serious.