Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-(으)ㄹ 경우(에)
in case of, if (a certain situation arises); N의 경우
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Sets up a particular situation and says what happens or what to do in that case. Common in rules, instructions and announcements.
Forming it
| 늦다 | → 늦을 경우에 |
| 오다 | → 올 경우 |
| 잃어버리다 | → 잃어버렸을 경우 |
| 학생 | → 학생의 경우 |
Examples
비가 올 경우에는 행사가 취소됩니다.
If it rains, the event will be canceled.
여권을 잃어버렸을 경우 바로 대사관에 연락하세요.
If you lose your passport, contact the embassy right away.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)면 (G1-028) is the everyday 'if'; -(으)ㄹ 경우 sounds more formal and specific. -ㄴ/는다면 (G4-005) stresses that the situation is hypothetical.