TL;DR
- -는다면 expresses a hypothetical supposition ("if/supposing that") and is used when imagining scenarios that may or may not happen 🤔
- Attach -ㄴ/는다면 to verbs, -다면 to adjectives, and -(이)라면 to nouns to create "what if" situations 💭
- This form is more literary and formal-sounding than casual -면, making it perfect for thoughtful hypotheticals ✨
What is -는다면? 🧐
-는다면 is your go-to grammar for creating hypothetical scenarios! 💫
It translates to "if," "supposing that," or "what if" in English, and it's used when you're imagining situations—whether realistic or totally fantastical 🌈
How to Use It 🛠️
The conjugation depends on what type of word you're attaching it to! 📝
With Verbs 🏃
Present tense: Add -ㄴ/는다면
- After a consonant → -는다면
- After a vowel → -ㄴ다면
→ 비가 온다면 집에 있을 거예요.
(If it rains, I'll stay home.) ☔
→ 네가 간다면 나도 갈게.
(If you go, I'll go too.) 👯
Past tense: Add -았/었다면
→ 그때 공부했다면 합격했을 거예요.
(If I had studied back then, I would have passed.) 📚
With Adjectives 🎨
Just add -다면 directly! Super easy 😊
→ 날씨가 좋다면 산책하러 가요.
(If the weather is nice, let's go for a walk.) 🌤️
→ 시간이 있다면 영화 볼까요?
(If you have time, shall we watch a movie?) 🎬
With Nouns 🏷️
Use -(이)라면
- After a consonant → -이라면
- After a vowel → -라면
→ 내가 너라면 그렇게 안 할 거야.
(If I were you, I wouldn't do that.) 🙅
→ 이게 꿈이라면 깨고 싶지 않아.
(If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.) 💤
Nuance: -는다면 vs -면 🤷
Both mean "if," but -는다면 sounds more thoughtful and literary! 📖
-면 is casual and direct, while -는다면 adds a contemplative, "let's suppose..." feeling 🌙
→ 돈이 많으면 뭐 할 거예요? (casual)
→ 돈이 많다면 뭐 할 거예요? (more reflective)
(If you had a lot of money, what would you do?) 💰
Use -는다면 when you want to sound more formal or when pondering deeper "what if" questions! 💭
Common Expressions 🗣️
만약 ~ㄴ/는다면 = "if by any chance / supposing that"
Adding 만약 (if) at the beginning emphasizes the hypothetical nature even more! ✨
→ 만약 내가 간다면 같이 갈래?
(If I go, do you want to come with me?) 🚶
~ㄴ/는다면 몰라도 = "maybe if... but"
This phrase suggests something might be possible only under that specific condition 🤔
→ 날씨가 좋다면 몰라도 비 오면 안 갈 거예요.
(Maybe if the weather's nice, but if it rains, I won't go.) 🌧️
Exceptions ⚠️
No major exceptions here! 🎉
Just remember that the conjugation pattern is consistent—vowel vs. consonant endings determine which form to use, just like many other Korean grammar patterns 🔄
Try the following exercise.
Complete the sentences using -는다면, -(으)ㄴ다면, or -다면 to express supposition. 📝
- 시간이 _ 같이 영화 보러 갈래요?
Answer
있다면
- 날씨가 좋_ 산책하러 나갈 거예요.
Answer
다면
- 그 사람을 다시 만_ 뭐라고 말할 거예요?
Answer
난다면
- 돈이 많_ 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.
Answer
다면
- 제가 그 일을 _ 더 잘할 수 있을 텐데요.
Answer
한다면
- 내일 비가 _ 집에서 쉴 거예요.
Answer
온다면
- 한국어를 유창하게 _ 한국에서 일하고 싶어요.
Answer
한다면
- 그 식당이 _ 예약을 해야 해요.
Answer
맛있다면
- 다시 대학생이 _ 다른 전공을 선택할 거예요.
Answer
된다면
- 그 이야기가 사실_ 정말 놀라운 일이에요.
Answer
이라면
Vocabulary
시간 - time
영화 - movie
날씨 - weather
산책 - walk, stroll
만나다 - to meet
세계 여행 - world travel
유창하게 - fluently
식당 - restaurant
예약 - reservation
대학생 - university student
전공 - major (subject)
이야기 - story
사실 - fact, truth
놀랍다 - to be surprising
Common mistakes
- 🚫 Don't forget that -는다면 is used only with action verbs in the present tense, while -(으)ㄴ다면 is for descriptive verbs and past tense.
- 🚫 Remember that -이라면/-라면 is used specifically after nouns, not verbs.
- 🚫 Avoid mixing up -는다면 (supposition) with -는데 (background/contrast) - they have different meanings!