Korean grammar patterns › Level 5
-(으)ㄹ 바에(야)
if (I) have to …, (I might as well / I'd rather …)
Level 5 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Clause 1 is an unsatisfying situation; clause 2 is the better choice. Clause 2 often has 차라리, -는 게 낫다, or a command or suggestion.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 갈 바에야 |
| 먹다 | → 먹을 바에야 |
| 만들다 | → 만들 바에야 |
Always -(으)ㄹ form: ✗ 사는 바에야.
Examples
이렇게 비싸게 살 바에야 안 사는 게 낫겠어요.
If I have to pay this much, I'd rather not buy it.
어차피 늦을 바에야 천천히 가요.
If we're going to be late anyway, let's go slowly.
Compared with similar patterns
-느니 means almost the same; -(으)ㄹ 바에야 stresses 'if it comes to that / if I'm going to … anyway'.