The Korean conditional "if" is one of the most frequently used grammar patterns. Once you learn it, you can express hypotheticals, give advice, make suggestions, and describe conditions: all with one reliable structure.
The pattern
Verb/adjective stem + 으면 (after consonant) or 면 (after vowel)
| Verb | Stem | Conditional |
|---|---|---|
| 가다 (go) | 가 (vowel) | 가면 |
| 먹다 (eat) | 먹 (consonant) | 먹으면 |
| 있다 (exist) | 있 (consonant) | 있으면 |
| 좋다 (good) | 좋 (consonant) | 좋으면 |
| 하다 (do) | 하 (vowel) | 하면 |
Exception: verbs ending in ㄹ drop the ㄹ and just add 면. 알다 → 알면 (not 알으면) 살다 → 살면
In sentences
시간이 있으면 같이 가요. If you have time, let's go together. 한국어를 배우면 여행이 더 재미있어요. If you learn Korean, travel becomes more fun. 날씨가 좋으면 산책할게요. If the weather is good, I'll take a walk. 모르면 물어보세요. If you don't know, ask. 배가 고프면 먹어요. If you're hungry, eat.
Past tense conditional
To express "if [something] had happened" (contrary to fact), use ~았/었으면:
돈이 있었으면 샀을 텐데. If I had had money, I would have bought it. 더 일찍 왔으면 좋았을 텐데. It would have been nice if you'd come earlier. The ~았/었으면 좋겠다 pattern is very common for wishes:
비가 안 왔으면 좋겠어요. I wish it wouldn't rain. 빨리 나았으면 좋겠어요. I hope you get better soon.
~면 vs ~면 좋겠다
~면: neutral conditional ("if/when X, then Y") ~면 좋겠다: wish ("it would be nice if X")
내일 시간이 있으면 만나요. If you have time tomorrow, let's meet. 내일 시간이 있으면 좋겠어요. I wish I had time tomorrow.
Difference from ~면서 (while)
Don't confuse ~면 (if/when) with ~면서 (while/simultaneously):
공부하면서 음악을 들어요. I listen to music while studying. 공부하면 잘 알 수 있어요.: If you study, you can understand well.
Giving advice with ~면 되다
~면 되다 = "all you need to do is" / "just [do X]"
여기에 서명하면 돼요. All you need to do is sign here. 이 버튼을 누르면 돼요. Just press this button. 일찍 오면 돼요. Just come early. This is extremely useful for giving instructions or reassuring someone that something is simple.
Conditionals unlock a huge range of conversation: advice, negotiation, hypotheticals, wishes. The ~면 pattern specifically is building-block grammar you'll use every day. Pair these grammar notes with active practice on a structured Korean course: the curriculum sequences conditionals alongside the patterns that combine with them naturally.