A2 · Elemental Capítulo 6

Conditions and Step-by-Step Actions

4 Reglas totales
45 ejemplos
6 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of sequencing your day and setting conditions for your future plans.

  • Sequence events precisely using -고 나서 (after doing).
  • Express conditions and hypotheses with -(으)면 (if/when).
  • Connect daily tasks and future intentions effortlessly.
Connect your actions and master your conditions!

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there, language explorer! You've done an amazing job with Korean so far, and I'm really proud of your progress! Now it's time to supercharge your conversations, letting you speak with more precision and detail, just like a native. In this exciting chapter, we're giving you two incredibly powerful tools to help you plan, give instructions, and talk about events that are linked together. First up, you'll master '-고 나서'. This structure is your secret weapon for emphasizing that one action must be completely finished before the next one can even begin. Imagine telling a friend, 'After I finish my homework, I'll call you,' or 'After I cook dinner, we'll eat together.' With this, you'll never skip a beat and can describe sequential tasks with perfect clarity. Next, we dive into '면/으면', your go-to for expressing conditions. This means you'll be able to say things like, 'If X happens, then Y will follow,' or 'When this event occurs, it will have this result.' For instance, you can confidently state, 'If it rains, we'll stay home,' or 'When I get hungry, I'll make food.' Pretty useful, right? By the end of this chapter, planning and giving instructions will feel effortless. You'll be able to confidently sequence events, set conditions, and describe interconnected situations. Ready to transform your Korean conversations? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe a clear sequence of events for your daily routine.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: State conditional plans, such as 'If it rains, I will study'.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! You've done an amazing job with Korean so far, and I'm really proud of your progress! Now it's time to supercharge your conversations, letting you speak with more precision and detail, just like a native.
This chapter is a game-changer for your Korean grammar A2 journey, unlocking the ability to express complex ideas and link events logically. Mastering these structures is crucial for moving beyond basic sentences and truly engaging in dynamic conversations. We're giving you two incredibly powerful tools to help you plan, give instructions, and talk about events that are linked together, greatly enhancing your CEFR A2 Korean communication skills.
First up, you'll master -고 나서. This structure is your secret weapon for emphasizing that one action must be completely finished before the next one can even begin. Imagine telling a friend, "After I finish my homework, I'll call you, or After I cook dinner, we'll eat together." With this, you'll never skip a beat and can describe sequential tasks with perfect clarity, making your descriptions of sequencing actions in Korean much more accurate.
Next, we dive into (으)면, your go-to for expressing conditions. This means you'll be able to say things like,
If X happens, then Y will follow,
or
When this event occurs, it will have this result.
For instance, you can confidently state, "If it rains, we'll stay home, or When I get hungry, I'll make food." This is essential for understanding and using Korean conditionals effectively. By the end of this chapter, planning and giving instructions will feel effortless.
You'll be able to confidently sequence events, set conditions, and describe interconnected situations. Ready to transform your Korean conversations? Let's go!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces two fundamental Korean grammar patterns that add depth and clarity to your sentences: -고 나서 for sequential actions and (으)면 for conditions.
First, let's explore -고 나서, which translates to after doing... or having done.... This structure is used to indicate that the first action is fully completed before the second action begins. It emphasizes the sequential nature and completion of the first task.
To use it, simply attach -고 나서 directly to the stem of a verb. There are no special batchim (final consonant) rules to worry about, making it quite straightforward.
* Verb stem + -고 나서
* 밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦았어요. (After eating a meal, I brushed my teeth.)
* 숙제를 하고 나서 친구를 만날 거예요. (After finishing homework, I will meet a friend.)
* 텔레비전을 보고 나서 잠이 들었어요. (After watching TV, I fell asleep.)
This pattern clearly signifies a completed action followed by another, making it perfect for describing step-by-step processes or plans.
Next, we have (으)면, your essential tool for expressing Korean conditionals, meaning if or when. This versatile ending connects a conditional clause to a result clause. The form you use depends on whether the verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
* If the verb/adjective stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ (the 'l' sound), you use -면.
* 가다 (to go) → 가면 (If/When you go)
* 보다 (to see) → 보면 (If/When you see)
* 만들다 (to make) → 만들면 (If/When you make)
* If the verb/adjective stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), you use -으면.
* 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으면 (If/When you eat)
* 읽다 (to read) → 읽으면 (If/When you read)
* 없다 (to not exist/have) → 없으면 (If/When there isn't/you don't have)
Examples:
* 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요. (If it rains, I will stay home.)
* 배가 고프면 빵을 먹으세요. (If you are hungry, please eat bread.)
* 열심히 공부하면 좋은 성적을 받을 수 있어요. (If you study hard, you can get good grades.)
This (으)면 ending is fundamental for describing hypothetical situations, general truths, or conditions that lead to certain outcomes, greatly expanding your A2 Korean communicative range.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 숙제를 하고 게임을 했어요. (I did homework and played games.)
✓ Correct: 숙제를 하고 나서 게임을 했어요. (After doing homework, I played games.)
*Explanation:* While -고 can simply list actions, -고 나서 specifically emphasizes that the first action was *completed* before the second one began. Using -고 나서 makes the sequence clearer and implies a stronger completion requirement for the first action.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 책을 읽으면 재미있다. (If/When you read books, it is interesting.)
✓ Correct: 책을 읽으면 재미있어요. (If/When you read books, it is interesting.)
*Explanation:* When using (으)면 to express a condition, the main clause (the result) still needs a proper sentence ending, such as a politeness level like -어요/-아요, -습니다/-ㅂ니다, or other appropriate endings. Omitting it makes the sentence sound incomplete or overly blunt in most conversational contexts.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 돈이 없으면, 나에게 말해. (If you don't have money, tell me.)
✓ Correct: 돈이 없으면, 저에게 말해주세요. (If you don't have money, please tell me.)
*Explanation:* While the conditional clause with (으)면 is grammatically correct, the imperative (command) or suggestion in the main clause often requires a more polite or complete ending, especially when speaking to someone you're not extremely close to. Using -아/어 주세요 (please do X) or -세요 (please do X) is much more natural and polite.

Real Conversations

A

A

오늘 저녁에 뭐 할 거예요? (What are you going to do tonight?)
B

B

음... 먼저 밥을 먹고 나서 영화를 볼 거예요. (Hmm... First, after eating dinner, I'm going to watch a movie.)
A

A

주말에 비가 오면 어떡하죠? (What should we do if it rains this weekend?)
B

B

비가 오면 집에서 책을 읽거나 게임을 해요. (If it rains, let's read books or play games at home.)
A

A

이 케이크를 만들려면 어떻게 해야 해요? (How do I make this cake?)
B

B

먼저 밀가루를 섞고 나서 우유를 넣으세요. (First, mix the flour, and then add the milk.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between -고 and -고 나서 when talking about sequential actions?

-고 simply lists actions in order (e.g.,

I ate and then went
). -고 나서 emphasizes that the first action was *fully completed* before the second one began, often implying a stronger cause-and-effect or necessary completion.

Q

Can I use (으)면 with adjectives to express conditions?

Yes, absolutely! You can use (으)면 with adjectives just like with verbs. For example, 바쁘면 (if you're busy), 예쁘면 (if it's pretty), or 좋으면 (if it's good).

Q

Are there other ways to say if in Korean besides (으)면?

Yes, there are, but (으)면 is the most common and versatile for A2 learners. Other forms like -다면 (if [hypothetical/reported]) or -아/어야 (only if/must) exist, but (으)면 covers most general conditional situations.

Q

How do I form a negative conditional using (으)면?

To make a negative conditional, you simply make the verb or adjective negative *before* attaching (으)면. For example, 안 오면 (if it doesn't come), 먹지 않으면 (if you don't eat), or 없으면 (if there isn't/you don't have).

Cultural Context

These two patterns, -고 나서 and (으)면, are deeply embedded in daily Korean communication. You'll hear -고 나서 frequently in instructions, recipes, and when people describe their plans, emphasizing the step-by-step nature of tasks. Its use reflects a culture that often values clear sequence and thoroughness.
Similarly, (으)면 is ubiquitous in everyday conversations, from making polite suggestions (
피곤하면 쉬세요
- "If you're tired, please rest") to discussing plans or predicting outcomes. It's a cornerstone of logical thought expression in Korean, essential for navigating social interactions and understanding cause-and-effect relationships. Mastering them helps you sound more natural and precise.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦아요.

Me lavo los dientes después de comer.

Completar acciones con -고 나서 (Después de hacer...)
2

숙제를 다 하고 나서 넷플릭스를 볼 거야.

Voy a ver Netflix después de terminar toda la tarea.

Completar acciones con -고 나서 (Después de hacer...)
3

숙제를 다 하고 나서 게임을 했어요.

Después de terminar toda la tarea, jugué videojuegos.

Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)
4

우버를 부르고 나서 밖으로 나갔어요.

Después de pedir un Uber, salí afuera.

Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)
5

돈이 많으면 페라리를 사고 싶어요.

Si tengo mucho dinero, quiero comprar un Ferrari.

Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)
6

시간이 있으면 넷플릭스 같이 볼까요?

Si tienes tiempo, ¿vemos Netflix juntos?

Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)
7

돈이 `있으면` 이 가방을 사고 싶어요.

Si tengo dinero, quiero comprar este bolso.

Si y Cuando: La terminación (으)면
8

유튜브를 `보면` 시간이 정말 빨리 가요.

Cuando veo YouTube, el tiempo vuela.

Si y Cuando: La terminación (으)면

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

La visualización del 'Checkmark'

Imagina un tick mental ✅ después del primer verbo. Si puedes decir 'ya terminé esto', usa esta forma: «숙제하고 나서 놀아요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Completar acciones con -고 나서 (Después de hacer...)
🎯

El toque maestro

Agrega '다' (todo) antes de '고 나서' para sonar más fluido y organizado: «숙제를 다 하고 나서 놀아요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)
💡

¿Cuándo o Si?

En coreano no hay una distinción estricta. Si el evento es seguro, como que salga el sol, tradúcelo como 'cuando': «아침이 되면 해가 떠요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)
🎯

El truco del 'Si vs Cuando'

Si algo es 100% seguro (como que salga el sol), es 'Cuando'. Si es una posibilidad (como ganar un juego), es 'Si'. ¡En coreano usas (으)면 para ambos! «봄이 오면 꽃이 피어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: La terminación (으)면

Vocabulario clave (6)

숙제(sukje) homework 끝나다(kkeutnada) to finish 비가 오다(biga oda) to rain 만나다(mannada) to meet 시간이 있다(sigani itda) to have time 요리하다(yorihada) to cook

Real-World Preview

calendar

Weekend Planning

Review Summary

  • Verb + -고 나서
  • Verb/Adj + -(으)면

Errores comunes

You used a sequence connector instead of a conditional. Use (으)면 for 'if'.

Wrong: 비가 오고 나서 집에 갈 거예요. (If it rains, I will go home.)
Correcto: 비가 오면 집에 갈 거예요. (If it rains, I will go home.)

Don't forget the object marker '를' for natural flow.

Wrong: 숙제하고 나서 먹어요. (I eat after doing homework.)
Correcto: 숙제를 하고 나서 먹어요. (I eat after doing homework.)

The grammar is -고 나서, not the other way around.

Wrong: 먹으면 나서 갈 거예요.
Correcto: 먹고 나서 갈 거예요.

Next Steps

You've successfully mastered the logic of Korean sentences! Keep practicing these structures in your daily life, and you'll be speaking fluently in no time.

Write a 5-sentence plan for tomorrow using -고 나서 and (으)면.

Continue to: Wants, Abilities, and Goals

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la conjugación del verbo.

Find and fix the mistake:

한국에 살으면 한국말을 잘 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한국에 살면 한국말을 잘 해요.
Los verbos que terminan en 'ㄹ' como '살다' no llevan '으'. Solo llevan '면'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: La terminación (으)면

Completa el espacio usando la forma correcta de '가다' (ir).

집에 ___ 손을 씻어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고 나서
La raíz '가' se combina con '고 나서' para mostrar que primero llegas a casa y luego te lavas las manos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)

Encuentra y corrige el error de conjugación para '만들다' (hacer).

Find and fix the mistake:

케이크를 만들으면 친구를 줄 거예요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 케이크를 만들면
Las raíces que terminan en 'ㄹ' no necesitan la '으'; simplemente se les añade '면'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración.

Find and fix the mistake:

숙제를 했고 나서 티비를 봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 숙제를 하고 나서 티비를 봤어요.
No puedes usar el pasado (했) con '고 나서'. Debes usar la raíz básica (하).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)

Rellena el espacio con la forma correcta de '자다' (dormir).

피곤하____ 일찍 자세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 면
'피곤하다' termina en vocal, así que solo añadimos '면'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)

¿Cuál oración está bien conjugada para '먹다' (comer)?

Elige la frase correcta con 'si':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥을 먹으면 배가 불러요.
'먹다' tiene batchim (ㄱ), por lo que requiere '으면' como almohadilla vocal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: Condicionales en coreano (면/으면)

¿Qué oración muestra una secuencia terminada de forma natural?

Elige la oración más natural:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥을 먹고 나서 양치를 해요.
'고 나서' enfatiza claramente que terminas de comer antes de cepillarte los dientes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Después de hacer algo... (고 나서)

¿Qué frase dice correctamente: 'Me encontré con un amigo después de terminar el trabajo'?

Selecciona la frase natural en coreano:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 일을 끝내고 나서 친구를 만났어요.
La primera es la correcta. La segunda tiene el error de poner pasado en el primer verbo (끝냈고). La tercera implica causa y efecto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Completar acciones con -고 나서 (Después de hacer...)

¿Qué frase es gramaticalmente correcta?

Selecciona la frase condicional correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 책을 읽으면 재미있어요.
'읽다' termina en consonante (que no es ㄹ), así que debes usar '으면'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Si y Cuando: La terminación (으)면

Completa la frase para que diga: 'Después de lavarme las manos, como'.

손을 ___ 밥을 먹어요. (씻다 - lavar)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 씻고 나서
Buscamos la secuencia 'después de lavar'. La raíz de 씻다 es 씻, y le añadimos 고 나서.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Completar acciones con -고 나서 (Después de hacer...)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

¡Son muy parecidas! -(으)ㄴ 후에 es un poquito más formal y escrito. -고 나서 se enfoca más en el *hecho* de terminar la acción. En el día a día, usa la que mejor te fluya: «밥 먹고 나서» suena muy dinámico.
Generalmente no. No puedes 'terminar de ser lindo' y luego hacer otra cosa. Para estados de ser, usa -(으)ㄴ 후에, como en «부자가 된 후에» (después de hacerme rico).
Significa 'después de hacer' algo. Enfatiza que la primera acción terminó totalmente antes de empezar la segunda, como en «밥을 먹고 나서...».
Generalmente no. Se usa casi siempre con verbos de acción. Para adjetivos, es mejor usar «-아/어서» o solo «-고».
면 es para condiciones generales. 거든 se usa más en charlas para un 'si' que lleva a una orden o plan: «집에 가거든 전화해.»
No. Para eventos pasados usa «~었을 때». 면 es para posibilidades futuras o patrones generales: «주말이 되면 항상 산에 가요.»
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