-(으)면 If / When (conditional)
Core meaning - If / When (conditional)
Form - Stem + 면; Stem + 으면
Usage - Focus on the highlighted segment in each example; surrounding words can change while the pattern function stays the same.
Use this pattern for its grammatical function, not as a literal word-by-word translation.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Consonant stem + 으면, vowel stem + 면
- 먹다 → 먹으면
- 가다 → 가면
-(으)면 vs -면서
- (으)면 = if/when (condition)
- 면서 = while (simultaneous)
For past condition: 았/었으면
If it rains, I will stay home.
If you are hungry, eat.
If you go to Korea, what do you want to do?
If I had had money, I would have bought it.
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