-으면Korean connective · TOPIK 2
-eumyeon
One connective with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used to assume an uncertain fact.
불확실한 사실을 가정하여 말할 때 쓰는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
좋은 사람 있으면 나에게 좀 소개해 줘.
If you know a good person, please introduce them to me.
주말에 날씨가 좋으면 바다에 가자.
If the weather is nice this weekend, let's go to the beach.
이제 한 골만 더 넣으면 우리 팀이 우승하게 된다.
If we score just one more goal now, our team will win the championship.
대화In conversation
지금 은행에 가면 사람이 많지 않을까?
If we go to the bank now, won't there be a lot of people?
갔다가 사람이 너무 많으면 내일 다시 오자.
If there are too many people when we get there, let's come back tomorrow.
A connective ending used to assume a fact that is different from the reality, such as a desirable state, regretful situation, etc.
희망하는 상태나 후회되는 상황 등과 같이 현실과 다른 사실을 가정하여 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
나도 남자 친구가 있으면 좋겠다.
I wish I had a boyfriend too.
승규가 아빠만큼만 키가 컸으면 멋졌을 텐데.
If Seunggyu had grown as tall as his dad, he would have looked great.
마무리만 잘했으면 더 좋은 점수를 받을 수 있었는데.
If I had finished well, I could have gotten a better score.
대화In conversation
어제 파티는 재미있었어?
Was the party yesterday fun?
응! 너도 왔으면 좋았을 텐데!
Yeah! I wish you had come too!
A connective ending used when the preceding statement becomes the condition of the following statement.
뒤에 오는 말에 대한 근거나 조건이 됨을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
오후 네 시가 넘으면 모두 돌아가 주세요.
If it's past four in the afternoon, please all go home.
정말 비를 많이 맞으면 대머리가 되나요?
If you really get soaked in the rain, do you go bald?
네가 총무를 맡으면 내가 나머지를 맡을게.
If you take on the role of treasurer, I'll take care of the rest.
대화In conversation
늦었는데 집에 가야 되지 않아?
It's late, shouldn't we go home?
아냐. 열두 시만 넘지 않으면 부모님께서도 별말씀 안 하셔.
No. As long as it's not past twelve, my parents don't say anything.
A connective ending used to indicate a habitual and repetitive condition.
습관적이고 반복적인 조건을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
할머니는 서너 번쯤 여쭈면 겨우 대답을 해 주시곤 하셨다.
My grandmother would only answer after I asked her three or four times.
남편은 내가 잠들어 있으면 깨우지 않으려고 살금살금 걸어 다닌다.
My husband walks quietly so as not to wake me if I'm asleep.
대화In conversation
하루 종일 앉아 있으면 허리가 아파.
If I sit all day, my back hurts.
가끔 일어나서 스트레칭을 해.
Get up and stretch once in a while.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -으면 mean in Korean?
-으면 is a connective introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). A connective ending used to assume an uncertain fact. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -으면?
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-. The other shape is -면 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -으면 and -면?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -으면?
2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.