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-이라야Korean connective · TOPIK 6

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TOPIK 6 6급Connectives 연결 어미2 senses

One connective with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-이라야-라야-이라야만-라야만

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

A postpositional particle used when the thing is only possible as a precondition of something.

어떤 일의 조건으로 그것만이 가능함을 나타내는 조사.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant.

받침 있는 명사나 부사어 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

정정당당하게 얻은 금메달이라야 값진 것이다.

Only a gold medal won fairly and squarely is truly valuable.

열정이 있는 사람이라야 무엇에든지 도전할 수 있다.

Only those with passion can take on any challenge.

호소력이 있는 내용이라야 관객들을 빠져들게 할 수 있다.

Only content with appeal can draw audiences in.

대화In conversation

너는 왜 장비들을 사서 쓰지 않고 굳이 만들어서 써?

Why do you buy equipment instead of making your own?

수리 장비들은 내 손으로 만든 것이라야 손에도 익고 쓰기도 편해.

Only tools I've made with my own hands feel comfortable in my grip and are easy to use.

A postpositional particle used to imply that one is speaking in such a way that one does not think something is important.

어떤 것을 중요하지 않게 생각하며 말함을 나타내는 조사.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.

받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

그곳에 갖추어진 소품이라야 낡고 쓸모없는 것들밖에 없었다.

The props there were just old, useless things, nothing more.

우리 집 주변의 공원이라야 나무 몇 그루 있는 공터일 뿐이다.

The park near our house is just a vacant lot with a few trees.

그 집의 재산이라야 겨우 남편이 취미로 모은 잡동사니들이다.

Their wealth amounts to nothing but the odds and ends her husband collected as a hobby.

대화In conversation

이 옷을 입고 나가려고?

You're going out wearing that?

응. 내 옷이라야 뭐 별 게 없어서.

Yeah, it's not like I have much to choose from anyway.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.

-거들랑 -geodeullang -걸랑 A connective ending used to mean "if something is true or turns out to be true." TOPIK 6 -건대 -geondae A connective ending used when the speaker implies in advance that he/she will confess his/her thoughts or hopes, etc., in the following statement. TOPIK 6 -건만 -geonman -건마는 A connective ending used when the actual result is different from the result that was anticipated from the preceding statement. TOPIK 6 -기로서니 -giroseoni A connective ending used when emphasizing this meaning, "however the preceding statement says so." TOPIK 6 -노라면 TOPIK 6 -느니만큼 -neunimankeum -니만큼 · -으니만큼 A connective ending used when admitting to the truth of the preceding statement and saying that it is the cause or reason for the following statement. TOPIK 6

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -이라야 mean in Korean?

-이라야 is a connective introduced at 6급 (TOPIK 6). A postpositional particle used when the thing is only possible as a precondition of something. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -이라야?

Attaches after nouns and adverbials ending in a consonant. The other shape is -라야, -이라야만, -라야만 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -이라야 and -라야?

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 -이라야?

6급 — TOPIK 6, mastery. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.