이라면Korean particle · TOPIK 6
-ramyeon
One particle with 3 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 when assuming a certain fact or situation.
어떠한 사실이나 상황을 가정하는 뜻을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다, 아니다, the honorific -으시-, the retrospective -더- or -으리-.
‘이다’, ‘아니다’ 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-더-’, ‘-으리-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
너와 함께라면 난 어디든지 갈 수 있어.
If I'm with you, I can go anywhere.
네 말이 거짓말이 아니라면 증거를 보여 봐.
If what you said isn't a lie, show me the evidence.
내가 만약 새라면 저 하늘을 훨훨 날아다닐 텐데.
If I were a bird, I'd fly freely across that sky.
대화In conversation
내일 나를 좀 도와줄 수 있어?
Can you help me tomorrow?
그럼. 네가 부탁하는 거라면 뭐든지 도와주지.
Of course. If it's a request from you, I'll help with anything.
An expression used to assume that someone will express his/her thought or will, which becomes the condition for the following statement.
누군가가 어떤 생각이나 의지를 밝히는 경우를 가정하여 그것이 뒤에 오는 말의 조건이 됨을 나타내는 표현.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다, 아니다, the honorific -으시-, the retrospective -더- or -으리-.
‘이다’, ‘아니다’ 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-더-’, ‘-으리-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
일부러 그런 게 아니라면 선생님께서 나를 용서해 주실까?
If it wasn't on purpose, would the teacher forgive me?
승규도 내일 같이 갈 거라면 일찍 오라고 해.
If Seunggyu is also going tomorrow, tell him to come early.
대화In conversation
네 말 진짜야? 거짓말 아니야?
Is what you said true? You're not lying, are you?
내가 거짓말이 아니라면 믿을래?
If I'm not lying, would you believe me?
An expression used to assume that someone will give a certain order, which becomes the condition for the following statement.
누군가가 어떤 명령을 하는 경우를 가정하여 그 명령이 뒤에 오는 말의 조건이 됨을 나타내는 표현.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs ending in a vowel or in ㄹ or the honorific -으시-.
받침이 없거나 ‘ㄹ’ 받침인 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
엄마가 놀기 전에 숙제를 하라면 해야지!
If Mom says do your homework before playing, you have to do it!
네가 가지 말라면 유학 안 갈게.
If you tell me not to go, I won't study abroad.
나라에서 군대에 다시 가라면 정말 끔찍할 것 같다.
If the country told me to go back to the military, it would be truly awful.
대화In conversation
엄마, 옷 사게 돈 좀 주세요.
Mom, please give me some money to buy clothes.
엄마는 돈 달라면 주는 사람이 아냐. 없어.
Mom isn't someone who gives money just because you ask. I don't have any.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 이라면 mean in Korean?
이라면 is a particle introduced at 6급 (TOPIK 6). A connective ending used when assuming a certain fact or situation. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 이라면?
Attaches after the copula 이다, 아니다, the honorific -으시-, the retrospective -더- or -으리-. The other shape is 라면 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 이라면 and 라면?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same particle, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is 이라면?
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.