HYEJU LANGUAGE LAB · INTERMEDIATE 04 · LESSON 89
-(으)려면If you want to… / To…, you need…
-(으)려면 is short for -(으)려고 하면, “if you intend to.” Put a goal in the first half, then say what it takes: -아/어야 해요, -(으)면 돼요, -(으)세요, or a question such as 어떻게 해야 돼요?
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A situation you already know
You are lost and need the subway. You ask someone passing by:
How do I get to the subway station?
The goal is “going to the station.” The second half asks what you need to do to reach it.
Build the form
- 가다 → 가- → 가 + 려면 → 가려면Complete expression
- 받다 → 받- → 받 + 으려면 → 받으려면Complete expression
- 만들다 → 만들- → 만들 + 려면 → 만들려면Complete expression
- 듣다 → 듣- → 들- → 들 + 으려면 → 들으려면Complete expression
- 돕다 → 돕- → 도우- → 도우 + 려면 → 도우려면Complete expression
- Vowel stems and ㄹ stems: -려면 → 가려면, 만들려면 (the ㄹ stays).
- Consonant stems: -으려면 → 받으려면, 찾으려면.
- Irregular verbs follow the 으 pattern: 듣다 → 들으려면, 돕다 → 도우려면, 짓다 → 지으려면.
- Typical second halves: -아/어야 해요/돼요, -(으)면 돼요, -(으)세요, 필요해요, 어떻게 해야 돼요?
- It works with action verbs (goals). For a state, use a change verb: 건강해지려면 운동하세요.
Think in Korean · an English-speaker’s guide
- English “to” is very flexible: “To get there, take bus 6.” Korean marks the goal clearly with -(으)려면 and puts the requirement after it.
- -기 위해서 states why you do something; -(으)려면 says what a goal requires. 합격하기 위해서 공부해요 (I study in order to pass) vs 합격하려면 공부해야 해요 (To pass, you have to study).
- Don’t add 싶다: ✗가고 싶으려면. The verb + -(으)려면 already includes “want to.”
Six examples in context
You need ID to make this card.
To get a visa, you have to submit the documents first.
If you want to get good at Korean, try speaking a little every day.
To get up early, you have to go to bed early.
If you want to eat at that restaurant, you just need to book ahead.
If you want to go to Busan, taking the KTX is the fastest.
Compare with related patterns
-(으)면
은행에 가면 이것도 물어보세요.“When you go to the bank, ask about this too.” A plain condition; going is already assumed. 은행에 가려면 talks about what you need in order to go.
-기 위해서
합격하기 위해서 매일 공부해요.“I study every day in order to pass.” States the purpose of something you do (Lesson 79).
-(으)려고
한국어를 배우려고 학원에 다녀요.“I go to a language school to learn Korean.” Describes your own intention (Lesson 33).
| Pattern | Choose it when… |
|---|---|
| -(으)려면 | a goal + what it requires |
| -(으)면 | a simple condition (if/when) |
| -기 위해서 | the purpose of what you do |
| -(으)려고 | your own intention behind an action |
Common mistakes
-(으)려면 already contains “want to.”
A consonant stem needs 으.
ㄹ stems take -려면 directly.
For an action you already took with an intention, use -(으)려고. -(으)려면 needs a requirement or advice after it.
Mini practice · six questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Translation answers are models; other natural wording is possible.
- Fill in the blank표를 ______ 앱에서 예약하세요. (사다)
Check answer
표를 사려면 앱에서 예약하세요.
Vowel stem → 사려면.
- Fill in the blank이 문제를 ______ 공식을 알아야 해요. (풀다)
Check answer
이 문제를 풀려면 공식을 알아야 해요.
ㄹ stem → 풀려면.
- Choose the natural form음악을 (들으려면 / 듣으려면) 이 버튼을 누르세요.
Check answer
들으려면
듣다 is ㄷ irregular → 들으려면.
- Choose the natural form주말에 친구를 (만나려면 / 만나려고) 일을 미리 끝냈어요.
Check answer
만나려고
You already finished the work with that intention → -(으)려고.
- Fix the mistake살을 빼고 싶으려면 운동하세요.
Check answer
살을 빼려면 운동하세요.
Drop 싶다.
- Say it in KoreanHow long does it take to get to the airport?
Check answer
공항에 가려면 얼마나 걸려요?
Goal 공항에 가다 + -(으)려면 + a question.
Today’s key point
Goal + -(으)려면 + what it takes (-아/어야 해요, -(으)면 돼요, -(으)세요, or a question). Vowel and ㄹ stems take -려면; consonant stems take -으려면. Don’t add 싶다.
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