If you want to

This pattern expresses a condition that must be met to achieve a desired goal or intention. It's a combination of -(으)려고 하다 (to intend to do) and -(으)면 (if).

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: "If one intends to..." or "If you want to..."

When to use: Use it to connect a goal (the -(으)려면 clause) with the necessary action, advice, or prerequisite (the main clause).

Formation

It attaches directly to a verb stem.

Vowel or ㄹ ending stem + 려면:

가다 (to go) → 가려면

살다 (to live) → 살려면

만들다 (to make) → 만들려면

Consonant ending stem + 으려면:

먹다 (to eat) → 먹으려면

찾다 (to find) → 찾으려면

합격하다 (to pass) → 합격하려면 (Note: 하다 verbs end in a vowel)

살 빼려면 그만 먹어. / 합격하려면 공부해야 해. / 집을 사려면 돈이 필요해.

The clause that follows -(으)려면 almost always describes a necessary action, a piece of advice, or a requirement. Certain grammatical structures are very common here.

Commands: -(으)세요 or -아/어

This gives direct advice or instruction on what to do to achieve the goal.

Example: 환불하려면 영수증 가져오세요. (If you want a refund, please bring the receipt.)

Obligation/Necessity: -아/어야 하다/되다

This states a requirement or something that must be done.

Example: 성공하려면 줄을 잘 서야 해요. (If you want to succeed, you have to make the right connections.)

Stating a Prerequisite: 필요하다

This indicates that something is needed to fulfill the intention.

Example: 집을 사려면 돈이 필요해요. (If you want to buy a house, you need money.)

오래 살려면 운동하세요. / 만나려면 예약해야 해요. / 참가하려면 신청해.

Learners often confuse -(으)려면 with the simpler conditional -(으)면. The key difference is intention.

-(으)면 (if/when)

This is a general conditional. It simply connects a condition to a result without implying any desire or goal.

Context: States a fact or a general situation.

Example: 한국에 가면 날씨가 추울 거예요. (If/When you go to Korea, the weather will be cold.)

-(으)려면 (if you want to)

This specifically includes the subject's intention or goal. The second clause is the requirement to achieve that goal.

Context: Gives advice or states a prerequisite for an intended action.

Example: 한국에 가려면 비행기 표를 사야 해요. (If you want to go to Korea, you have to buy a plane ticket.)

Think of -(으)려면 as answering the question, "What do I need to do in order to...?"

시간이 있으면 영화 봐요. / 영화를 보려면 표를 사야 해요. / 돈이 많으면 집을 살 수 있어요. / 집을 사려면 돈을 모아야 해요.

The -(으)려면 clause itself does not change based on politeness. Instead, the formality of the entire sentence is determined by the ending of the main clause that follows.

Casual Language (반말)

Used with close friends, family, or those younger than you. The sentence typically ends with a plain command (-아/어) or a statement of necessity (-아/어야 해).

Example: 알려면 물어봐. (If you want to know, ask.)

Polite Language (해요체)

Used in most everyday situations with adults. The sentence ends with polite forms like -(으)세요 (polite command) or -아/어요 style endings like -아/어야 해요.

Example: 알려면 물어보세요. (If you want to know, please ask.)

가려면 서둘러. / 가려면 서두르세요. / 성공하려면 줄을 잘 서야 해. / 성공하려면 줄을 잘 서야 해요.