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Assumption: -(으)ㄴ/는다면

Keywords
-(으)ㄴ/는다면
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
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TL;DR 🦄
  • -(으)ㄴ/는다면 [-(eu)n/neun-da-myeon] means “if / assuming that / suppose that…”
  • It sounds more hypothetical, imagined, or thoughtful than plain -(으)면.
  • Use it when you are imagining a situation: 한국에 간다면 뭐 하고 싶어요? = If you went / if you were to go to Korea, what would you want to do?
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear the difference between plain condition and assumption. Try 시간이 있으면 [si-ga-ni i-sseu-myeon] vs 시간이 있다면 [si-ga-ni it-da-myeon], 한국에 가면 [han-gu-ge ga-myeon] vs 한국에 간다면 [han-gu-ge gan-da-myeon], and 제가 부자라면 [je-ga bu-ja-ra-myeon].
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는다면 is an assumption / hypothetical condition grammar. It asks you to imagine a situation and then say what would happen.
Plain -(으)면 is the everyday “if/when.”
-(으)ㄴ/는다면 feels more like “if we assume…”, “supposing that…”, or “if it were the case that…”
Compare:
  • 한국에 가면 연락할게요.
      • [han-gu-ge ga-myeon yeon-ra-kal-ge-yo]
      If/when I go to Korea, I’ll contact you. 🇰🇷
  • 한국에 간다면 뭐 하고 싶어요?
      • [han-gu-ge gan-da-myeon mwo ha-go si-peo-yo]
      If you went / if you were to go to Korea, what would you want to do? ✈️
The second sentence sounds more like an imagined situation, not a simple schedule.

🧠 Core Meaning

Use -(으)ㄴ/는다면 when the first clause is an assumed situation.
Pattern
  • If we assume A, then B.
  • If A were true, then B.
  • If A happens / happened / were to happen, then B.
Examples:
  • 시간이 있다면 같이 가고 싶어요.
      • [si-ga-ni it-da-myeon ga-chi ga-go si-peo-yo]
      If I had time, I’d like to go together. ⏰
  • 돈이 많다면 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.
      • [do-ni man-ta-myeon se-gye yeo-haeng-eul ha-go si-peo-yo]
      If I had a lot of money, I’d like to travel the world. 🌍
  • 다시 태어난다면 가수가 되고 싶어요.
      • [da-si tae-eo-nan-da-myeon ga-su-ga doe-go si-peo-yo]
      If I were born again, I’d like to become a singer. 🎤
  • 친구가 온다면 음식을 더 준비해야 해요.
      • [chin-gu-ga on-da-myeon eum-si-geul deo jun-bi-hae-ya hae-yo]
      If my friend comes / is coming, we need to prepare more food. 🍲

🎨 Formation Rules

The title form -(으)ㄴ/는다면 is mainly for present-tense action verbs. In real Korean, adjectives and nouns use related assumption forms too.

1. Action verb, vowel stem + ㄴ다면

  • 가다 [ga-da] → 간다면 [gan-da-myeon] = if someone goes / if someone were to go
  • 보다 [bo-da] → 본다면 [bon-da-myeon] = if someone sees/watches
  • 만나다 [man-na-da] → 만난다면 [man-nan-da-myeon] = if someone meets
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] → 공부한다면 [gong-bu-han-da-myeon] = if someone studies

2. Action verb, consonant stem + 는다면

  • 먹다 [meok-da] → 먹는다면 [meong-neun-da-myeon] = if someone eats
  • 읽다 [ik-da] → 읽는다면 [ing-neun-da-myeon] = if someone reads
  • 받다 [bat-da] → 받는다면 [ban-neun-da-myeon] = if someone receives
  • 찾다 [chat-da] → 찾는다면 [chan-neun-da-myeon] = if someone looks for/finds

3. ㄹ-stem action verbs: ㄹ drops + ㄴ다면

  • 살다 [sal-da] → 산다면 [san-da-myeon] = if someone lives
  • 만들다 [man-deul-da] → 만든다면 [man-deun-da-myeon] = if someone makes
  • 열다 [yeol-da] → 연다면 [yeon-da-myeon] = if someone opens

4. Descriptive verbs / adjectives + 다면

Do not use 는다면 with normal adjectives.
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] → 좋다면 [jo-ta-myeon] = if it is good / if you like it
  • 바쁘다 [ba-ppeu-da] → 바쁘다면 [ba-ppeu-da-myeon] = if someone is busy
  • 춥다 [chup-da] → 춥다면 [chup-da-myeon] = if it is cold
  • 필요하다 [pi-ryo-ha-da] → 필요하다면 [pi-ryo-ha-da-myeon] = if it is necessary

5. Nouns + (이)라면

  • Consonant noun + 이라면
    • 학생 → 학생이라면 = if someone is a student
  • Vowel noun + 라면
    • 친구 → 친구라면 = if someone is a friend
  • 아니다 → 아니라면 = if not / if it is not
⚠️
Very useful exception
있다 and 없다 usually behave like descriptive verbs here:
  • ✅ 시간이 있다면 = if there is time / if I have time
  • ✅ 돈이 없다면 = if there is no money / if someone has no money
  • Usually avoid: 있는다면, 없는다면 for basic learner sentences.

🛠️ How It Works in Real Sentences

Imaginary situations

  • 제가 부자라면 큰 집을 사고 싶어요.
      • [je-ga bu-ja-ra-myeon keun ji-beul sa-go si-peo-yo]
      If I were rich, I’d like to buy a big house. 🏠
  • 시간을 되돌릴 수 있다면 더 열심히 공부할 거예요.
      • [si-ga-neul doe-dol-lil su it-da-myeon deo yeol-si-mi gong-bu-hal geo-ye-yo]
      If I could turn back time, I would study harder. ⏳

Polite questions

  • 한국에 간다면 어디에 가고 싶어요?
      • [han-gu-ge gan-da-myeon eo-di-e ga-go si-peo-yo]
      If you went to Korea, where would you want to go? ✈️
  • 하루를 쉴 수 있다면 뭐 할 거예요?
      • [ha-ru-reul swil su it-da-myeon mwo hal geo-ye-yo]
      If you could rest for one day, what would you do? 🛋️

Advice based on assumptions

  • 정말 힘들다면 잠깐 쉬세요.
      • [jeong-mal him-deul-da-myeon jam-kkan swi-se-yo]
      If it’s really hard, rest for a moment. 🌱
  • 도움이 필요하다면 저에게 말해 주세요.
      • [do-u-mi pi-ryo-ha-da-myeon jeo-e-ge ma-rae ju-se-yo]
      If you need help, please tell me. 🤝

Someone says they will do something: “if they say / if they intend”

This form can also feel like “if someone says/claims/intends that…”
  • 친구가 온다면 음식을 더 준비해야 해요.
      • [chin-gu-ga on-da-myeon eum-si-geul deo jun-bi-hae-ya hae-yo]
      If my friend says they’re coming / if my friend is coming, we need more food.
  • 지금 간다면 제가 데려다줄게요.
      • [ji-geum gan-da-myeon je-ga de-ryeo-da-jul-ge-yo]
      If you’re going now / if you say you’ll go now, I’ll take you.

🔍 -(으)면 vs -(으)ㄴ/는다면

-(으)면 = plain if / when

Use this for simple, practical conditions.
  • 시간이 있으면 전화하세요.
      • [si-ga-ni i-sseu-myeon jeon-hwa-ha-se-yo]
      If you have time, call me. 📞

-(으)ㄴ/는다면 = assuming / if it were the case that

Use this for imagined, thoughtful, or less immediate situations.
  • 시간이 있다면 여행을 가고 싶어요.
      • [si-ga-ni it-da-myeon yeo-haeng-eul ga-go si-peo-yo]
      If I had time, I’d like to travel. 🌴
Quick comparison:
  • 내일 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요. = If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay home. Practical forecast.
  • 내일 비가 온다면 계획을 바꿔야 해요. = If we assume it rains tomorrow, we’ll need to change the plan. More hypothetical/thoughtful.

🧩 Common Patterns

1. 만약 ... -(으)ㄴ/는다면 = if / supposing

  • 만약 복권에 당첨된다면 뭘 할 거예요?
      • If you won the lottery, what would you do? 🎟️
  • 만약 시간이 있다면 같이 갈래요?
      • If you had time, would you like to go together? ⏰

2. 가능하다면 / 괜찮다면 / 필요하다면

These are very useful polite chunks.
  • 가능하다면 오늘 보내 주세요. = If possible, please send it today.
  • 괜찮다면 제가 도와드릴게요. = If it’s okay, I’ll help.
  • 필요하다면 다시 설명할게요. = If necessary, I’ll explain again.

3. 나라면 = if it were me

This is from 나 + 라면.
  • 나라면 그렇게 안 할 거예요.
      • If it were me, I wouldn’t do that.
  • 저라면 조금 더 기다릴 거예요.
      • If it were me, I’d wait a little longer.

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was checked against korean.go.kr. Their guidance explains that -다면 is a connecting ending used to assume a fact and make it a condition. Korean.go.kr also notes that -다면 can be understood as related to the shortened form of -다고 하면 in some uses, and learner examples often distinguish plain condition from assumption/quoted intention.
Practical lesson choice: use -(으)ㄴ/는다면 for imagined assumptions and thoughtful “if” sentences, and use plain -(으)면 for simple everyday conditions.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹다면 → ✅ 먹는다면 (Action verb with consonant stem needs 는다면.)
  • ❌ 가다면 → ✅ 간다면 (Action verb with vowel stem uses ㄴ다면.)
  • ❌ 좋는다면 → ✅ 좋다면 (Adjectives use 다면.)
  • ❌ 살는다면 → ✅ 산다면 (ㄹ stem drops ㄹ before ㄴ다면.)
  • ❌ 친구다면 → ✅ 친구라면 (Noun + (이)라면.)
  • ❌ Overusing -다면 for every daily “if” → ✅ Use -(으)면 for simple real conditions.
Bottom line: -(으)ㄴ/는다면 is the “assuming that / if it were the case that” version of “if.” It is perfect for dreams, imagined situations, careful advice, and thoughtful questions. 🧭✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions Complete each sentence with the correct assumption form.
1. 가다 → 한국에 ＿＿＿＿ 뭐 하고 싶어요? ✈️
Answer
간다면 — action verb, vowel stem + ㄴ다면.
2. 먹다 → 매운 음식을 ＿＿＿＿ 물을 준비하세요. 🌶️
Answer
먹는다면 — action verb, consonant stem + 는다면.
3. 살다 → 서울에 ＿＿＿＿ 어디가 좋을까요? 🏙️
Answer
산다면 — ㄹ stem drops ㄹ before ㄴ다면.
4. 바쁘다 → 너무 ＿＿＿＿ 내일 해도 돼요. 📅
Answer
바쁘다면 — adjective + 다면.
5. 학생 → 당신이 ＿＿＿＿ 이 앱이 유용할 거예요. 🎓
Answer
학생이라면 — consonant noun + 이라면.
6. 가능하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 오늘 보내 주세요. 📨
Answer
가능하다면 — useful polite chunk: “if possible.”
7. 있다 → 시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 같이 가요. ⏰
Answer
있다면 — 있다 usually uses 있다면.
8. 만들다 → 케이크를 ＿＿＿＿ 시간이 필요해요. 🎂
Answer
만든다면 — ㄹ stem drops ㄹ: 만들다 → 만든다면.
9. Choose the natural simple condition.
① 시간이 있으면 전화하세요.
② 시간이 있다면 전화하세요.
Answer
① 시간이 있으면 전화하세요. — For a direct everyday condition, 있으면 is usually more natural.
10. 나 → ＿＿＿＿ 그렇게 안 할 거예요. 🙋
Answer
나라면 — “If it were me…”
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 한국 → Korea
  • 매운 음식 → spicy food
  • 서울 → Seoul
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 유용하다 → to be useful
  • 가능하다 → to be possible
  • 보내다 → to send
  • 같이 → together
  • 케이크 → cake
  • 그렇게 → like that
Tip 💡 If it feels imagined, thoughtful, or “supposing that…,” -다면 is a good fit.
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Assumption: -(으)ㄴ/는다면
 
This Practice Hub trains assumptions, imagined situations, noun assumptions with (이)라면, and the difference between plain -(으)면 and thoughtful -다면. Each exercise has 10 questions, A–J. 🧩
 

Exercise 1 — Action Verb Form Builder ✅

A. 가다 → 한국에 ＿＿＿＿ 연락할게요.
Answer
간다면
B. 보다 → 영화를 ＿＿＿＿ 같이 볼래요?
Answer
본다면
C. 공부하다 → 매일 ＿＿＿＿ 실력이 늘 거예요.
Answer
공부한다면
D. 먹다 → 이걸 ＿＿＿＿ 천천히 드세요.
Answer
먹는다면
E. 읽다 → 이 책을 ＿＿＿＿ 메모하세요.
Answer
읽는다면
F. 받다 → 선물을 ＿＿＿＿ 감사 인사를 하세요.
Answer
받는다면
G. 살다 → 제주도에 ＿＿＿＿ 차가 필요할까요?
Answer
산다면
H. 만들다 → 앱을 ＿＿＿＿ 디자인도 중요해요.
Answer
만든다면
I. 열다 → 가게를 ＿＿＿＿ 위치가 중요해요.
Answer
연다면
J. 돕다 → 친구를 ＿＿＿＿ 지금 도와주세요.
Answer
돕는다면
📚
Action verb reminder
  • Vowel stem → ㄴ다면: 가다 → 간다면
  • Consonant stem → 는다면: 먹다 → 먹는다면
  • ㄹ stem → drop ㄹ + ㄴ다면: 살다 → 산다면
 

Exercise 2 — Adjectives, 있다/없다, and Nouns 🧩

A. 좋다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿ 산책하고 싶어요.
Answer
좋다면
B. 바쁘다 → 너무 ＿＿＿＿ 내일 만나요.
Answer
바쁘다면
C. 춥다 → 밖이 ＿＿＿＿ 코트를 입으세요.
Answer
춥다면
D. 필요하다 → 도움이 ＿＿＿＿ 말해 주세요.
Answer
필요하다면
E. 괜찮다 → ＿＿＿＿ 제가 먼저 갈게요.
Answer
괜찮다면
F. 있다 → 시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 커피 마실래요?
Answer
있다면
G. 없다 → 돈이 ＿＿＿＿ 집에서 먹어요.
Answer
없다면
H. 친구 → 진짜 친구＿＿＿＿ 이해해 줄 거예요.
Answer
친구라면
I. 학생 → 학생＿＿＿＿ 할인을 받을 수 있어요.
Answer
학생이라면
J. 아니다 → 사실이 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 확인해야 해요.
Answer
아니라면
💡
Form reminder
  • Adjective → 다면
  • 있다/없다 → 있다면/없다면
  • Noun → (이)라면
 
Do not say 좋는다면 or 친구다면.
 

Exercise 3 — Plain If or Assumption? 🔍

A. If you have time, call me.
시간이 ＿＿＿＿ 전화하세요.
Answer
있으면 — simple everyday condition.
B. If I had more time, I’d travel.
시간이 더 ＿＿＿＿ 여행하고 싶어요.
Answer
있다면 — imagined/thoughtful assumption.
C. When you arrive, call me.
도착＿＿＿＿ 전화하세요.
Answer
도착하면 — simple time/condition.
D. If you were to move to Korea, where would you live?
한국으로 이사＿＿＿＿ 어디에 살고 싶어요?
Answer
이사한다면 — imagined assumption.
E. If it rains tomorrow, bring an umbrella.
내일 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 우산을 챙기세요.
Answer
오면 — practical condition.
F. If we assume it rains tomorrow, we should change the plan.
내일 비가 ＿＿＿＿ 계획을 바꿔야 해요.
Answer
온다면 — assumption about a possible situation.
G. If you are tired, rest.
피곤＿＿＿＿ 쉬세요.
Answer
피곤하면 — direct advice.
H. If it’s really hard, tell me.
정말 힘들＿＿＿＿ 저에게 말해 주세요.
Answer
힘들다면 — careful, thoughtful assumption.
I. If it is a student discount, use this coupon.
학생 할인＿＿＿＿ 이 쿠폰을 쓰세요.
Answer
학생 할인이라면 — noun + 이라면.
J. If you go now, you won’t be late.
지금 ＿＿＿＿ 늦지 않을 거예요.
Answer
가면 — practical condition; 간다면 is possible but more hypothetical.
🧠
Decision rule
  • Simple, direct, likely condition → -(으)면
  • Imagined, careful, “assuming that…” condition → -다면
 
Both can sometimes work, but the tone changes.
 

Exercise 4 — Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 가다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
간다면
B. ❌ 먹다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹는다면
C. ❌ 읽다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
읽는다면
D. ❌ 살는다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
산다면
E. ❌ 만들는다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
만든다면
F. ❌ 좋는다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
좋다면
G. ❌ 바쁘는다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁘다면
H. ❌ 시간이 있는다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
시간이 있다면
I. ❌ 친구다면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
친구라면
J. ❌ 학생라면 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생이라면
⚠️
Common traps
  • Action verbs need ㄴ다면/는다면.
  • Adjectives use 다면.
  • Nouns use (이)라면.
  • ㄹ action verbs drop ㄹ: 살다 → 산다면.
 

Exercise 5 — Real-Life Mini Dialogues 🗣️

A. Friend: “If you went to Korea, what would you eat?”
한국에 ＿＿＿＿ 뭐 먹고 싶어요?
Answer
간다면
B. Friend: “If you had a lot of money?”
돈이 많＿＿＿＿ 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.
Answer
많다면
C. Coworker: “If possible, send it today.”
＿＿＿＿ 오늘 보내 주세요.
Answer
가능하다면
D. Friend: “If it were me, I’d wait.”
＿＿＿＿ 조금 더 기다릴 거예요.
Answer
나라면 / 저라면
E. Teacher: “If you don’t understand, ask.”
이해가 안 ＿＿＿＿ 질문하세요.
Answer
된다면
F. Friend: “If you live alone, is it lonely?”
혼자 ＿＿＿＿ 외로워요?
Answer
산다면
G. Customer: “If this is not fresh, I won’t buy it.”
신선하지 ＿＿＿＿ 안 살 거예요.
Answer
않다면
H. Friend: “If you make this app, I’ll use it.”
이 앱을 ＿＿＿＿ 제가 쓸게요.
Answer
만든다면
I. Parent: “If you are a student, you should study.”
학생＿＿＿＿ 공부해야 해요.
Answer
학생이라면
J. Friend: “If you need help, tell me.”
도움이 ＿＿＿＿ 말해 주세요.
Answer
필요하다면
✅
Final practical rule
Use -다면 when you are imagining or assuming:
  • If I were rich...
  • If you went to Korea...
  • If it were me...
  • If possible...
  • If you need help...
 
For simple real-life “if/when,” use -(으)면.
 
🎉 Assumption grammar unlocked. With -(으)ㄴ/는다면, 다면, and (이)라면, you can talk naturally about imagined situations, careful advice, and “if it were…” thoughts. 🧭✨