Elementary School - Grade 5
Lesson 11: "If..."
-(으)면
Stating Conditions
You've learned to give *reasons* (like "I was tired, so..."). Now, let's learn how to set *conditions* (like "If I am tired...").
The pattern **-(으)면** is the most common way to say "if" or "when" (in a conditional sense). It's used for hypotheticals, conditions, and general truths.
The Conjugation Rules
This conjugation is based on whether the verb or adjective stem ends with a consonant or a vowel.
Stem ends in Vowel or ㄹ
... + 면
가다 가면
"If (I) go"
놀다 놀면
"If (I) play"
Stem ends in Consonant (except ㄹ)
... + 으면
먹다 먹으면
"If (I) eat"
좋다 좋으면
"If (it's) good"
Examples in Action
시간이 있으면 영화를 볼 거예요.
If I have time, I will watch a movie.
봄이 오면 날씨가 따뜻해요.
When spring comes, the weather is warm. (General truth)
이것을 먹으면 기분이 좋아요.
If you eat this, you feel good.
Coming Up Next...
You can now set up conditions with "if." Next, you'll learn how to make comparisons by saying "like" or "as."