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-(으)면 vs -(ㄴ/는)다면

Intermediate · TOPIK II

-(으)면 is an ordinary condition — likely, real or rule-like; -(ㄴ/는)다면 stresses the hypothetical, often something unlikely or purely imaginary.

-(으)면A connective ending used to assume an uncertain fact.-(ㄴ/는)다면An expression used to assume that someone will express his/her thought or will, which becomes the condition for the following statement.

Rules of thumb

  • Rules, habits and realistic conditions: -(으)면 (봄이 되면 꽃이 펴요 'When spring comes, flowers bloom').
  • Unlikely or contrary-to-fact assumptions sound more natural with -다면 (복권에 당첨된다면… 'If I won the lottery…', 내가 새라면… 'If I were a bird…').
  • With nouns: N(이)라면 (내가 너라면 'if I were you').
  • Forms: verb + -ㄴ/는다면, adjective + -다면, past -았/었다면.
  • Often both are possible; -다면 makes the 'suppose that…' flavour explicit.

Example sentences

  • -(으)면

    When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom along this road.

  • -(ㄴ/는)다면

    If I won the lottery, I'd like to buy my parents a house.

  • -(ㄴ/는)다면

    If I were a bird, I'd fly to you.

  • -(으)면

    If you have time, get in touch.

  • -(ㄴ/는)다면

    If you were born again, what would you want to do?

Often confused with

← All confused pairs