-(으)려면
If You Want to, In Order to
-려면 is used to express a condition for a desired action or outcome. It translates to 'if you intend to...' or 'if you want to...'. The first clause states the goal, and the second clause states the necessary action or condition to achieve it.
How It Works
-려면 is a very common and useful pattern that combines intention and condition. It's the shortened form of -(으)려고 하다 (to intend to do) combined with the conditional -(으)면 (if). So, -(으)려고 하면 literally means 'if one intends to do...'.
Conjugation Rules:
1. Verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ: Attach -려면
- 가다 (to go) → 가 + 려면 → 가려면
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들 + 려면 → 만들려면 (The ㄹ is not dropped)
2. Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): Attach -으려면
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 으려면 → 먹으려면
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾 + 으려면 → 찾으려면
The clause that follows -려면 often contains advice, requirements, or necessary steps. Because of this, it frequently pairs with patterns like -(아/어)야 하다 (must/have to), -(으)세요 (please do), or -는 게 좋다 (it's good to...).
This pattern is used with action verbs, not descriptive verbs (adjectives). To use it with a state, you typically first change the adjective into a verb using -아/어지다 (to become), for example: 예뻐지려면 (if you want to become pretty).
Examples (5)
- 한국어를 잘하려면 매일 공부해야 돼요.
If you want to be good at Korean, you have to study every day.
Word by Word: Korean well if-want-to-do every day have-to-study.
- 이 책을 다 읽으려면 시간이 좀 걸릴 거예요.
If you want to read all of this book, it will probably take some time.
Word by Word: This book all if-want-to-read time a little will-take.
- 맛있는 김치찌개를 만들려면 좋은 김치가 필요해요.
In order to make delicious kimchi stew, you need good kimchi.
Word by Word: Delicious kimchi-stew if-want-to-make good kimchi is-necessary.
- 서울역에 가려면 이 버스를 타세요.
If you want to go to Seoul Station, please take this bus.
Word by Word: Seoul-Station-to if-want-to-go this bus please-take.
- 건강을 지키려면 규칙적으로 운동하는 것이 좋아요.
If you want to maintain your health, it's good to exercise regularly.
Word by Word: Health if-want-to-protect regularly exercising thing is-good.
Common Mistakes
Using -려면 with adjectives instead of action verbs.
Different Meaning날씬하려면 샐러드를 많이 먹어요.Better날씬해지려면 샐러드를 많이 먹어요.-려면 expresses an intention to perform an action. Adjectives like 날씬하다 (to be slim) describe a state, not an action. To express the desire to achieve that state, you must first turn it into a verb of change using -아/어지다 (to become). So, 날씬해지다 means 'to become slim'.
Confusing the condition for a goal (-려면) with a general condition (-면).
Not Quite비가 오면 우산을 가져가려면 돼요.Better비가 오면 우산을 가져가면 돼요.-려면 is used when the first clause is a goal or intention. In this sentence, 'if it rains' is a general condition, not a goal. Therefore, the simple conditional -면 is correct. You would use -려면 like this: '밖에 나가려면 우산을 가져가세요' (If you want to go outside, take an umbrella).
Learn This First
To express 'if you want to/in order to', you need conditional knowledge and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)려고 하다Intend to, Plan to
-려면 is a contraction of '-려고 하면'. -(으)려고 하다 expresses the 'intention' part of the meaning, so understanding it is key to understanding -려면.
- -기 위해서For the Sake of, In Order to
Both express purpose. However, -기 위해서 ('for the sake of') states a purpose more formally and directly. -려면 has a stronger nuance of giving advice or stating a requirement.
- -(으)러 가다/오다Go/come to Do
Both express purpose. -(으)러 가다/오다 is specifically used with verbs of movement like 가다 (to go) and 오다 (to come) to state the purpose of the movement. -려면 is much broader and can be used with any action verb to state the condition for achieving a goal, not just one related to movement.