Beginner (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)려면

It is a shortened form of '-(으)려고 하면' (If one intends to). It expresses a condition based on someone's intention to do something.

Summary

Equivalent

If you want to / If you intend to

Also: -(으)려고 하면 (If one plans to)

Example

If you want to lose weight, exercise.

살을 빼려면 운동을 하세요.

Grammar rules

  • Used ONLY with verbs.
  • The second clause usually gives a requirement, advice, obligation (-아/어야 하다), or suggestion (-(으)세요) needed to fulfill the intention in the first clause.
  • Because the first clause implies intention, it cannot be used with adjectives or objective weather/natural phenomena.

    한국어를 잘하려면 매일 연습해야 해요. (If you want to speak Korean well, you have to practice every day.)

Patterns

1

Verbs (Consonant)

Present/Future Intent · Verb Stem + 으려면

2

Verbs (Vowel/ㄹ)

Present/Future Intent · Verb Stem (drop ㄹ) + 려면

Example sentences

If you want to lose weight, exercise.

살을 빼려면 운동을 하세요.

If you want to take the train, you must go to Seoul Station.

기차를 타려면 서울역으로 가야 합니다.

If you intend to get a scholarship, you have to study hard.

장학금을 받으려면 공부를 열심히 해야 해요.

Conversation

A: If I want to go to Dongdaemun Market, how should I go?

동대문시장에 가려면 어떻게 가야 해요?

B: Take subway Line 4.

지하철 4호선을 타세요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct conditional intention form.

Buying cheap.

Eating famous food.