Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-(으)면
if; when(ever)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Expresses a condition ('if') or a general/repeated situation ('whenever'). Any sentence type can follow, including commands and suggestions.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가면 |
| 먹다 | → 먹으면 |
| 춥다 | → 추우면 |
| 학생 | → 학생이면 |
For a single past event use -았/었을 때, not -(으)면: ✗ 어제 집에 가면 → 어제 집에 갔을 때. Don't add future markers for a simple condition: ✗ 비가 오겠으면 → 비가 오면.
Examples
시간이 있으면 같이 영화 봐요.
If you have time, let's watch a movie together.
봄이 되면 꽃이 많이 피어요.
When spring comes, lots of flowers bloom.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄹ 때 just marks the time ('at the time when'); -(으)면 is a condition. -(으)면 되다 means 'you just need to'.