Whenever

This pattern connects an action or state to its inevitable result. It expresses that as soon as the condition in the first clause is met, the outcome in the second clause always happens.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: It translates to "whenever X happens..." or "just by doing X..." or "if only X happens..."

Usage: It highlights a consistent, almost automatic link between two events. The first clause is the trigger, and the second is the unfailing consequence. It often carries a nuance of complaint, frustration, or exaggeration.

Formation

Simply attach -기만 하면 to the stem of a verb or adjective.

Verbs:

먹다 (to eat) → 먹기만 하면

보다 (to see) → 보기만 하면

듣다 (to listen) → 듣기만 하면

Adjectives:

배가 고프다 (to be hungry) → 배가 고프기만 하면

입을 열기만 하면 거짓말이야. / 매운 걸 먹기만 하면 배가 아파. / 컴퓨터를 켜기만 하면 멈춰.

Both -기만 하면 and -(으)ㄹ 때마다 can be translated as "whenever" or "every time," but they have different nuances.

-(으)ㄹ 때마다 (Every time)

This pattern is a neutral way to state that something happens repeatedly whenever a certain condition is met. It simply describes a recurring event.

주말이 될 때마다 비가 와요. (It rains every time it's the weekend.) - A neutral observation.

-기만 하면 (The moment... / If only...)

This pattern adds a strong nuance of immediacy and inevitability. It implies that the first action is the sole condition needed to trigger the second, often with a feeling of complaint or exaggeration.

주말이 되기만 하면 비가 와요. (It rains whenever the weekend comes.) - This sounds like a complaint, as if the weekend itself is the direct cause of the rain.

게임을 할 때마다 져요. / 게임을 하기만 하면 져요. / 술을 마실 때마다 사고를 쳐요. / 술을 마시기만 하면 사고를 쳐요.