Korean grammar patterns › Level 2
-(으)려면
if you want to (do), to (do) … (goal as a condition)
Level 2 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Sets an intended goal as a condition; the second clause says what is needed: -아/어야 하다, -(으)면 되다, a command, or a question.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가려면 |
| 찾다 | → 찾으려면 |
| 살다 | → 살려면 |
| 듣다 | → 들으려면 |
No tense before it: ✗ 갔으려면.
Examples
시청에 가려면 몇 번 버스를 타야 해요?
Which bus do I have to take to get to City Hall?
한국어를 잘하려면 매일 연습해야 해요.
If you want to be good at Korean, you have to practice every day.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)려고 states the purpose of an action actually done; -(으)면 is a simple condition; -(으)면 되다 often follows it in an answer (2번 버스를 타면 돼요).