If One Intends To (-(으)려면)
-(으)려면
Expresses 'if you want to' or 'if you intend to', combining intent and condition.
Pattern
Verb stem + -(으)려면 + Advice/requirement
Explanation
-(으)려면 is a combined form of -(으)려고 (intending to) and -(으)면 (if). It means 'if you want to' or 'in order to'. Use -려면 after vowels and -으려면 after consonants.
For example, 한국에 가려면 비행기를 타야 해요 means 'If you want to go to Korea, you have to take a plane.' The pattern sets up what is needed to achieve a desired goal. It is always followed by advice, requirements, or necessary actions.
This pattern is very practical for giving and receiving advice. It frequently appears in everyday conversations about plans and goals. It is more specific than -(으)면, which is a general conditional. -(으)려면 always implies an intentional action that the listener or subject wants to accomplish.
Examples
한국어를 잘하려면 매일 연습해야 해요.
Hangugeoreul jalharyeomyeon maeil yeonseupaeya haeyo.
If you want to be good at Korean, you must practice every day.
건강하려면 운동을 해야 해요.
Geongangharyeomyeon undongeul haeya haeyo.
If you want to be healthy, you should exercise.
TOPIK에 합격하려면 열심히 공부하세요.
TOPIKe hapgyeokaryeomyeon yeolsimhi gongbuhaseyo.
If you want to pass TOPIK, please study hard.
서울에서 살려면 돈이 많이 필요해요.
Seoureseo sallyeomyeon doni mani piryohaeyo.
If you want to live in Seoul, you need a lot of money.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
한국어를 잘하면 연습해야 해요.
Correct
한국어를 잘하려면 연습해야 해요.
Use -(으)려면 (if you intend to), not -(으)면 (if). -(으)면 would mean 'if you are already good at Korean'.
Wrong
건강하으려면 운동하세요.
Correct
건강하려면 운동하세요.
하다 ends in a vowel, so use -려면, not -으려면.
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