Expressing Conditions with -(으)면
The ending -(으)면 expresses a condition or assumption and can often correspond to "if" or "when" in English.
In the pattern taught here, select -면 after a vowel-final stem and -으면 after a consonant-final stem other than ㄹ . ㄹ -final stems follow a separate pattern outside this course.
Vowel-Final Stems Take -면
When the stem ends in a vowel, select -면 .
Dictionary Form · Stem + Ending · Result
가다 · 가- + -면 · 가면
오다 · 오- + -면 · 오면
The meaning of 오면 depends on context. In 비가 오면 , it means "if or when it rains."
Non-ㄹ Consonant-Final Stems Take -으면
When the stem ends in a consonant other than ㄹ , select -으면 .
Dictionary Form · Stem + Ending · Result
먹다 · 먹- + -으면 · 먹으면
읽다 · 읽- + -으면 · 읽으면
ㄹ -final stems follow a separate pattern outside this course.
Understanding the (으) Form
The notation (으) shows that one ending has alternating forms selected by the stem environment.
It is realized as -면 after the vowel-final stems taught here and as -으면 after consonant-final stems other than ㄹ .
The 으 is not added freely as a pronunciation aid. It belongs to the selected form -으면 .
Common Mistake: Mixing the Forms
A common beginner mistake is choosing a form without checking how the stem ends.
Incorrect: 가으면
Correct: 가면
Incorrect: 먹면
Correct: 먹으면
For the pattern taught here, choose -면 after vowel-final stems and -으면 after consonant-final stems other than ㄹ . ㄹ -final stems are handled in the separate Irregular Conjugation course.