Korean has several ways to express conditional statements (if/when). Each form has specific uses and nuances that determine when to use them.
Main Conditional Forms
Four Primary Patterns
1. -(으)면: General if/when (most common) 2. -거든: If/when (future condition + advice) 3. -(으)ㄹ 경우: In case of (formal) 4. -다면: If (hypothetical)
-(으)면 - General Conditional
Most Common "If/When"
Usage: General conditions, facts, habitual actions
Meaning: "If" or "when"
Examples:
- 비가 오면 안 가요 (If it rains, I won't go)
- 시간이 있으면 도와주세요 (If you have time, please help)
- 봄이 오면 꽃이 피어요 (When spring comes, flowers bloom)
Characteristics:
- ✓ Most versatile
- ✓ Real and hypothetical situations
- ✓ Present and future
- ✓ Very common in daily speech
-거든 - Future Condition with Advice
If/When (Specific Future Event)
Usage: Future conditions + speaker's recommendation
Meaning: "If/when [future event], then [advice/suggestion]"
Examples:
- 서울 가거든 연락하세요 (If you go to Seoul, contact me)
- 시간 있거든 놀러 오세요 (If you have time, come visit)
- 힘들거든 말하세요 (If it's hard, tell me)
Characteristics:
- ✓ Future uncertain events
- ✓ Often with suggestions/requests
- ✓ Casual, spoken Korean
- ✗ Not for commands
-(으)ㄹ 경우 - Formal "In Case"
In Case Of / If (Formal)
Usage: Formal writing, official contexts
Meaning: "In case of" / "in the event that"
Examples:
- 문제가 생길 경우 연락하세요 (In case a problem arises, contact us)
- 비가 올 경우 취소됩니다 (In case it rains, it will be cancelled)
- 질문이 있을 경우 물어보세요 (In case you have questions, please ask)
Characteristics:
- ✓ Formal, written
- ✓ Official contexts
- ✓ Legal, business
- ✗ Too formal for casual speech
-다면 - Hypothetical
If (Supposing That)
Usage: Hypothetical situations, contrary to fact
Meaning: "If [hypothetically]" / "supposing that"
Examples:
- 내가 새라면 날 수 있을 텐데 (If I were a bird, I could fly)
- 돈이 많다면 뭐 할 거예요? (If you had a lot of money, what would you do?)
- 시간이 있다면 도와주세요 (If you have time [hypothetically], please help)
Characteristics:
- ✓ Hypothetical scenarios
- ✓ Contrary to fact
- ✓ Imaginative situations
- ✓ Can be polite/formal
Comparison Table
| Form | Usage | Formality | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)면 | General if/when | Neutral | 비가 오면 (if it rains) |
| -거든 | Future + advice | Casual | 가거든 연락해 (if you go, contact) |
| -(으)ㄹ 경우 | In case of | Formal | 올 경우 (in case of coming) |
| -다면 | Hypothetical | Neutral-Formal | 간다면 (if [I] were to go) |
Choosing the Right Form
Decision Flowchart
Is it hypothetical/imaginary?
- Yes → Use -다면
- No → Continue
Is it formal writing/official?
- Yes → Use -(으)ㄹ 경우
- No → Continue
Is it future event + giving advice?
- Yes → Use -거든
- No → Use -(으)면 (default)
Common Usage Contexts
-(으)면 - Default Choice
Use for:
- Daily conversation
- General conditions
- Facts and habits
- Real possibilities
Examples:
- 배고프면 먹어요 (If hungry, eat)
- 날씨가 좋으면 산책해요 (If weather's good, I walk)
-거든 - Future Specific
Use for:
- Future uncertain events
- With recommendations
- Casual suggestions
Examples:
- 힘들거든 쉬어 (If it's hard, rest)
- 서울 오거든 전화해 (If you come to Seoul, call)
-(으)ㄹ 경우 - Official
Use for:
- Business documents
- Legal texts
- Formal announcements
- Official policies
Examples:
- 지각할 경우 연락하세요 (In case of tardiness, contact us)
-다면 - Imagination
Use for:
- Hypothetical questions
- Contrary to fact
- Imagining scenarios
- Philosophical discussions
Examples:
- 다시 태어난다면... (If I were reborn...)
- 너라면 어떻게 할래? (If you were me, what would you do?)
Special Characteristics
-(으)면
Versatility:
- ✓ Can use with any tense
- ✓ Real or hypothetical
- ✓ Natural in all contexts
-거든
Restrictions:
- ✗ Not with commands
- ✓ Better with suggestions
- ✓ Implies uncertainty
-(으)ㄹ 경우
Formality:
- ✓ Professional contexts
- ✗ Too stiff for casual
- ✓ Written Korean
-다면
Hypothetical Nature:
- ✓ Imaginary scenarios
- ✓ "What if" questions
- ✓ Can be polite or casual
Example Comparisons
Same Meaning, Different Forms
General condition:
- 시간 있으면 와요 (If you have time, come)
Future + advice:
- 시간 있거든 와요 (If you have time, come visit)
Formal:
- 시간이 있을 경우 참석하세요 (In case you have time, attend)
Hypothetical:
- 시간이 있다면 오실 건가요? (If you had time, would you come?)
Common Mistakes
Using Wrong Form for Context
❌ Wrong: 문서에서 "오면" (casual in formal doc) ✅ Better: 문서에서 "올 경우" (formal in formal doc)
❌ Wrong: 대화에서 "올 경우" (too formal in chat) ✅ Better: 대화에서 "오면" (natural in chat)
Additional Conditional Patterns
Other Related Forms
-(으)ㄴ다면: Verb hypothetical -아/어야: Only if / must -더라도: Even if -든지: Whether... or
Note: These are covered in other grammar sections
Summary of When to Use
| Situation | Best Form | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Daily conversation | -(으)면 | -거든 (casual) |
| Formal writing | -(으)ㄹ 경우 | -(으)면 (acceptable) |
| Giving advice | -거든 | -(으)면 |
| Hypothetical | -다면 | -(으)면 |
| Real condition | -(으)면 | — |
Key Takeaways
✅ -(으)면: Default, most versatile conditional
✅ -거든: Future + advice, casual
✅ -(으)ㄹ 경우: Formal "in case of"
✅ -다면: Hypothetical "if [imagining]"
✅ Context matters: Choose based on formality and situation
✅ When in doubt: Use -(으)면 (safest choice)
Understanding these four main conditional forms allows you to express different types of "if" statements appropriately in Korean, from casual conversations to formal documents. The following sections will cover each form in detail.