🟠 Making Hypothetical Statements in Korean (-면/으면) – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)

Have you ever wanted to say things like “If I have time, I’ll call you” or “If it rains, we’ll stay home” in Korean? The structure -면/으면 is essential for making hypothetical statements and conditions in everyday conversations and writing. This lesson will help you understand how to form and use it naturally.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

Form hypothetical statements using -면/으면
Combine it with verbs, adjectives, and nouns naturally
Use this pattern in real-life conversation and writing

💡 Key Concept

The suffix -면/으면 is used to create conditional sentences in Korean, similar to “if” in English. The choice between -면 and -으면 depends on whether the verb/adjective stem ends in a vowel or consonant:

Vowel-ending: 가다 → 가면 (if [I] go)
Consonant-ending: 먹다 → 먹으면 (if [I] eat)

It can also attach to nouns + 이다 (to be) → 학생이면 (if [you] are a student)

📝 Sentence Patterns

Pattern: [Verb/Adjective/Noun + (이)면] + Result

시간이 있으면 같이 영화 볼까요?
If you have time, shall we watch a movie together?
비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.
If it rains, I will stay at home.
학생이면 할인돼요.
If you are a student, you get a discount.

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 내일 날씨가 좋으면 산에 갈 거예요.
If the weather is good tomorrow, I will go to the mountain.

B: 좋아요! 저도 시간이 있으면 같이 갈게요.
Great! If I have time, I’ll go with you too.

A: 비가 오면 대신 영화관 갈까요?
If it rains, shall we go to the cinema instead?

B: 네, 그게 더 좋겠어요.
Yes, that sounds better.

🧩 Teacher’s Tips

When I’m teaching this grammar, I often sit next to my students and say, “Hey, don’t stress too much about the rules. Just check the last letter — vowel or consonant — and add -면 or -으면.” I also encourage them to write real-life examples like, “If I pass my test…” or “If I get hungry later…”. Once you make it personal, you’ll remember it way faster. Trust me — after a few tries, you’ll be using it naturally in your conversations.

🗯 Say what?

오늘의 한국어 표현 – “갑분싸”
This is short for “갑자기 분위기 싸해지다” (the vibe suddenly gets awkward). Imagine someone making a joke and no one laughs — that’s when Koreans say “갑분싸!” It’s widely used online and among young people in casual chat.

🎯 Pop Quiz

1. How do you say “If it rains, I won’t go” in Korean?

Answer

비가 오면 안 갈 거예요.

2. How do you say “If you’re hungry, eat” in Korean?

Answer

배고프면 먹어요.

3. Translate: “If you’re a student, you get a discount.”

Answer

학생이면 할인돼요.

🌏 Did You Know?

Did you know that in Korea, more than 50% of people check the weather forecast multiple times a day? According to a 2024 survey, the main reason is to plan commuting and decide what to wear. This habit is so common that popular Korean weather apps often integrate fashion tips (“Bring an umbrella AND wear light shoes”).

📦 Final Thoughts

Conditional expressions like -면/으면 open up new ways to express possibilities and plans in Korean. Try making 3 sentences about your daily life using this pattern — “If I wake up early…”, “If I study hard…”, etc. Share them in the comments, and I’ll give feedback!

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📘 More Posts You’ll Find Helpful!

❶ Talking About Food You Like – Beginner Level

❷ How to Commute in Korea – Intermediate Level

❸ Social Justice Topics in Korean – Advanced Level

Keep exploring more posts like these and grow your Korean skills step by step!

📚 Want to practice making hypothetical statements in real conversation?
Book a lesson with me on italki and learn how to use -면/으면 confidently!

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About the Author

I’m an office worker with 20 years of experience who enjoys studying English and Japanese. Through this blog, I share simple guides to help you learn Korean and understand Korean culture better.