(으)면 conditional ending (if, when)

This grammar attaches to the stem of verbs and adjectives. It creates a conditional clause. In English, we often put "if" at the start. In Korean, the condition comes first, then (으)면. The result follows in the second half of the sentence. It is very logical. You set the stage, then you perform the action. For example, "If it rains, I stay home." The rain is the condition. Staying home is the result. This pattern handles both "if" (hypothetical) and "when" (certainty). Context usually tells you which one is intended. It is flexible and powerful. You will use it to express your desires and requirements. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so stay relaxed!

1. 1Find the verb or adjective stem. Remove 다 from the dictionary form.
2. 2Look at the last letter of the stem.
3. 3If the stem ends in a vowel, add 면. For example, 가다 becomes 가면.
4. 4If the stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), add 으면. For example, 먹다 becomes 먹으면.
5. 5If the stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, just add 면. This is a special rule! For example, 살다 becomes 살면.
6. 6For the copula 이다 (to be), use 이면 after a consonant and 면 after a vowel. For example, 학생이면 (if you are a student).
7. 7For negative conditions, use 안 before the verb or 지 않으면. For example, 안 오면 (if you don't come).

Use this when you want to set a condition. Imagine you are ordering food. You might say, "If it is spicy, give me water." 매우면 물을 주세요. Use it for general facts too. "If you heat ice, it melts." This is a universal truth. Use it for future intentions. "When I graduate, I will travel." 졸업하면 여행할 거예요. It is perfect for giving directions. "If you go straight, the station appears." It is also great for making deals with friends. "If you buy coffee, I will buy lunch." It covers a wide range of "what if" scenarios. It makes your Korean sound much more natural and fluid. Think of it as the "logic connector" of your brain.

Do not use (으)면 for things that already happened. If you want to say "If I had gone," you need a different past-tense form. This pattern is for present or future conditions. Also, do not use it for things that happen 100% of the time without fail. In those cases, ㄴ/는 다면 or other patterns might fit better. Avoid using it when the result is a command and the condition is already happening. For example, if someone is already eating, don't use (으)면 to tell them to stop. Use it for potential or general situations. It is not a time machine! It looks forward, not backward. Keep your conditions realistic for the best results.

A very common mistake is the ㄹ ending. Many people say 살으면. This is wrong! It must be 살면. Another mistake is forgetting the 으 for other consonants. Saying 먹면 sounds very strange to Korean ears. Always check that bottom consonant! Some people also confuse (으)면 with (으)니까. Remember, (으)면 is a condition (if). (으)니까 is a reason (because). If you say "Because it rains, I stay home," use 니까. If you say "If it rains, I stay home," use 면. Don't let them swap places! They are like salt and sugar. They look similar but taste very different.

How does (으)면 differ from ㄹ 때? ㄹ 때 means "at the time of." It focuses on the specific moment. (으)면 focuses on the condition itself. For example, 밥을 먹을 때 means "while eating." 밥을 먹으면 means "if/when you eat." Another pattern is 거든. This is mostly used in casual speech for commands. (으)면 is much more common and versatile. There is also 다면, which is for very unlikely or imaginary things. If you are dreaming of winning the lottery, use 다면. For everyday things like "if I go to the store," stick with (으)면. It is your reliable, everyday workhorse.