-(으)면
Quick answer: -(으)면 means if / when — a condition.
How to form it
No final consonant → -면 · final consonant → -으면 · 시간이 있으면
In Korean: 받침 X → -면 받침 O → -으면 시간이 있으면
What to know
-(으)면 covers both if and whenever. Compare it with -(으)ㄹ 때 from 13-1: 때 says at that time, 면 says on that condition. In many sentences either works, and Koreans use 면 more.
Examples
- 시간이 있으면 산에 가요.If I have time I go to the mountain.
- 주말에 날씨가 좋으면 등산하러 가요.If the weather is good at the weekend I go hiking.
- 심심하면 노래방에 가요.When I'm bored I go to a noraebang.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 26: 등산하러 갈 거예요 — I'm going hiking. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -(으)러 가다 / 오다.
Practise -(으)면 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 26 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.