Intermediate Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㄴ/는 한

Used to establish a persistent condition under which the main clause holds true. The condition must remain true for the result to remain valid.

Summary

Equivalent

As long as / So long as

Also: -(으)ㄴ/는 이상 (Given that / Now that — implies the condition is already true) · -(으)면 (If — general conditional)

Example

As long as I am alive, I will help you all.

제가 살아 있는 한 여러분을 도울 거예요.

Grammar rules

  • The key nuance is persistence and continuity: 'As long as X continues to be true, Y will continue to hold'.
  • Unlike '-(으)ㄴ/는 이상' which establishes a done fact, '-(으)ㄴ/는 한' maintains a continuing condition.

Patterns

1

Verbs / Adj (As Long As Condition)

Present · Verb Stem + 는 한 / Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 한

Example sentences

Verbs / Adj (As Long As Condition) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 한 / Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 한

As long as I am alive, I will help you all.

제가 살아 있는 한 여러분을 도울 거예요.

Verbs / Adj (As Long As Condition) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 한 / Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 한

As long as you keep putting in effort, good results will follow.

노력하는 한 좋은 결과가 따라올 거예요.

Verbs / Adj (As Long As Condition) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 한 / Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 한

As long as my health permits, I want to keep working.

건강이 허락하는 한 계속 일하고 싶어요.

Conversation

A: Can I trust that person?

그 사람을 믿어도 될까요?

B: As long as they don't lie, you can trust them.

거짓말을 하지 않는 한 믿어도 돼요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Express a persistent condition using '-(으)ㄴ/는 한'.

As long as I'm here.

As long as healthy.