-(으)면
Used to express a condition or a supposition concerning a future or present event. It translates to 'If the first clause happens, then the second clause will happen'.
Summary
Equivalent
If / When
Example
If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay home.
내일 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
Grammar rules
- Use '으면' for stems ending in a consonant, and '면' for stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ.
- It can also mean 'when' describing a factual result (e.g., When it is spring, flowers bloom).
- It can be combined with past tense (-았/었으면) to suppose a situation completely contrary to the past reality (If I had...).
돈이 있으면 새 차를 살 거예요. (If I have money, I will buy a new car.)
Patterns
Verbs/Adjectives (Consonant)
Present/Condition · Stem + 으면
Verbs/Adjectives (Vowel/ㄹ)
Present/Condition · Stem (drop ㄹ) + 면
Nouns
Present/Condition · Noun + (이)면
Example sentences
If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay home.
내일 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
If you use the computer a lot, your eyes will hurt.
컴퓨터를 많이 하면 눈이 아파요.
If you have time, do you want to drink coffee together?
시간이 있으면 같이 커피 마실래요?
Conversation
A: When should I take this medicine?
이 약은 언제 먹어야 해요?
B: Take it if your head hurts.
머리가 아프면 드세요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct conditional expression.
Eating.
Not knowing.