Emphatic Conditional (-거들랑)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -거들랑 to emphasize a condition, often implying a strong suggestion, personal opinion, or a slightly cheeky challenge.
- Use with verbs/adjectives: '먹거들랑' (If you really eat).
- Often implies a 'if you are going to do X, then do Y' structure.
- Adds a conversational, sometimes slightly bossy or playful tone.
Overview
거들랑. This is an emphatic conditional connector. Think of it as the spicy cousin of -거든. It translates roughly to "if" or "in case." However, it carries a much stronger punch. It is colloquial, slightly old-fashioned, and very expressive. You will hear it in dramas or from older speakers. It sets up a condition with a bit of attitude. Using it makes you sound like a native pro. It is perfect for giving strong advice or commands. If you want to sound firm yet natural, this is your tool. Just don't overdo it, or you might sound like a grumpy grandparent!How This Grammar Works
-거든 pattern. However, the addition of -랑 adds a layer of emphasis. It highlights the condition as something specific or perhaps unlikely. It creates a rhythmic, bouncy feel to your speech. It’s like highlighting a sentence with a neon yellow marker. You are telling the listener, "Pay attention to this specific scenario." It’s great for situations where you want to be very clear. Think of it as a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener exactly when to act.
Formation Pattern
-거들랑.
먹다 (to eat), it becomes 먹거들랑.
가다 (to go), it becomes 가거들랑.
-었/았/였거들랑.
했다 (did), it becomes 했거들랑.
-(이)거들랑.
학생 (student) becomes 학생이거들랑.
의사 (doctor) becomes 의사거들랑.
When To Use It
-거들랑 when you want to give a command. It is perfect for requests or suggestions too. Use it in casual, spoken conversations with friends. It works well when you are being slightly playful. Imagine you are ordering food with a close friend. You could say, "If the food is spicy, tell me!" Use 맵거들랑 말해줘. It also fits when giving directions to someone you know well. "If you see the bank, turn right." Use 은행이 보이거들랑 우회전해. It is excellent for setting boundaries in relationships. "If you're going to be late, call me." Use 늦거들랑 전화해. It adds a touch of personality to your Korean. It’s much more flavorful than a plain -면 ending.
When Not To Use It
-거들랑 in formal writing or speeches. Do not use it with people of much higher status. It can sound a bit too casual or even rude. If you use it with your CEO, they might think you’re being cheeky. Think of it like wearing flip-flops to a job interview. It’s just not the right vibe for professional settings. Also, avoid using it in the second clause for simple facts. It must be followed by an imperative or suggestive ending. You can't say "If it rains, I eat pancakes" using -거들랑 in a neutral way. It needs that "do something!" energy at the end.
Common Mistakes
-면. Using -거들랑 here sounds very strange and dramatic. Another mistake is forgetting the imperative ending. You shouldn't end the sentence with a simple declarative like -어요. It needs to be -아/어라, -으세요, or -자. Some people also confuse it with the sentence-ending -거든(요). Remember, -거들랑 is a connector, not a final ending. It’s like a bridge, not the destination. Yes, even native speakers might trip over this if they aren't paying attention. Don't be that person who uses it in a formal essay!Contrast With Similar Patterns
-면, -거든, and -거들랑. -면 is your basic, neutral "if." It’s the vanilla ice cream of grammar. -거든 is more colloquial and used for commands. It’s like vanilla with a few sprinkles. -거들랑 is the full sundae with extra syrup. It is the most emphatic and informal of the three. While -면 can be used in any sentence, the others are restricted. -거든 and -거들랑 both demand an action in the next clause. -거들랑 feels slightly more "sassy" or old-fashioned than -거든. It’s like the difference between "If you're bored..." and "If you happen to be bored..." It adds a specific nuance of "in the event that this actually happens."Quick FAQ
Is -거들랑 used in Seoul?
Yes, but it’s more common in older generations or specific dialects.
Can I use it with my teacher?
Only if you have a very close, almost family-like relationship.
Does it mean "because"?
No, unlike -거든, -거들랑 only functions as a conditional connector.
Is it okay for TOPIK II?
You should recognize it, but don't use it in the writing section.
Does it sound feminine?
Not necessarily, but it can sound very expressive or "ahjumma-style" sometimes.
Can I use it for the past?
Yes, to mean "If (something) already happened, then..."
Meanings
A conditional suffix that emphasizes the condition, often used when giving advice or stating a strong preference.
Strong Suggestion
Used to suggest an action based on a condition.
“돈이 없거들랑 빌려줄게.”
“배가 고프거들랑 이거 먹어.”
Emphatic Condition
Highlighting a specific scenario that must be met.
“비가 오거들랑 우산을 챙겨라.”
“내일 시간이 있거들랑 놀러 와.”
Formation of -거들랑
| Verb/Adj | Stem | Suffix | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 | 가 | 거들랑 | 가거들랑 |
| 먹다 | 먹 | 거들랑 | 먹거들랑 |
| 예쁘다 | 예쁘 | 거들랑 | 예쁘거들랑 |
| 작다 | 작 | 거들랑 | 작거들랑 |
| 좋다 | 좋 | 거들랑 | 좋거들랑 |
| 오다 | 오 | 거들랑 | 오거들랑 |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Stem + 거들랑 | 가거들랑 |
| Negative | Stem + 지 않거들랑 | 가지 않거들랑 |
| Past | Past Stem + 거들랑 | 갔거들랑 |
| Adjective | Adj Stem + 거들랑 | 예쁘거들랑 |
Formality Spectrum
시간이 있으시면 오십시오. (Invitation)
시간이 있으면 오세요. (Invitation)
시간이 있거들랑 와. (Invitation)
시간 나거들랑 와라. (Invitation)
The -거들랑 Universe
Tone
- Emphatic Stronger than -면
Usage
- Advice Giving suggestions
Context
- Casual Friends/Family
Examples by Level
배가 고프거들랑 먹어.
If you are hungry, eat.
시간이 있거들랑 전화해.
If you have time, call me.
비가 오거들랑 우산 가져가.
If it rains, take an umbrella.
도움이 필요하거들랑 말해줘.
If you need help, tell me.
좋은 생각이 있거들랑 나중에 말해줘.
If you have a good idea, tell me later.
어려운 점이 있거들랑 언제든 물어봐.
If there is anything difficult, ask anytime.
그 친구가 오거들랑 나한테 먼저 알려줘.
If that friend comes, let me know first.
혹시라도 마음이 바뀌거들랑 연락해.
If by any chance your mind changes, contact me.
그렇게 불만이 많거들랑 직접 해결해 봐.
If you have so many complaints, try solving it yourself.
정말 가고 싶거들랑 지금 바로 준비해.
If you really want to go, prepare right now.
굳이 그렇게까지 해야겠거들랑 이유를 설명해 봐.
If you must do it that way, try explaining the reason.
이게 최선이라 생각하거들랑 그대로 진행해.
If you think this is the best, proceed as is.
Easily Confused
Both are conditionals.
Both sound similar.
Both are conditionals.
Common Mistakes
밥 먹거들랑요.
밥 먹거들랑 말해.
가거들랑.
가거들랑 연락해.
예쁘거들랑.
예쁘거들랑 사.
비가 오거들랑.
비가 오거들랑 우산 써.
시간이 있거들랑.
시간이 있거들랑 와.
돈이 많거들랑.
돈이 많거들랑 기부해.
사장님, 가거들랑 보고하세요.
사장님, 가시면 보고하세요.
숙제 하거들랑.
숙제 하거들랑 제출해.
먹거들랑요.
먹거들랑 말해.
그렇게 하거들랑.
그렇게 하거들랑 책임져.
가거들랑요.
가거들랑 연락해.
오거들랑요.
오거들랑 말해.
Sentence Patterns
___ 있거들랑 ___ 해.
___ 가거들랑 ___ 사와.
___ 필요하거들랑 ___ 말해.
Real World Usage
일찍 끝나거들랑 연락해!
어려운 게 있거들랑 말해라.
혹시 이 옷 예쁘거들랑 댓글 달아주세요.
Use it for advice
Avoid in formal settings
Combine with imperatives
Smart Tips
Use -거들랑 to make your advice sound more personal and caring.
Use it to emphasize that the condition is important.
Use it to sound more expressive.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'ㄹ' sound carries over to the next syllable.
Emphasis
시간이 있거들랑↗
Rising intonation on the condition emphasizes the 'if'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '거들랑' as 'Go-the-long' way—if you really want to take the long way, you have to be sure about it!
Visual Association
Imagine a teacher pointing a finger at you, saying 'If you really want to do that, then do it properly!' The finger is the -거들랑 suffix.
Rhyme
If you want to be strong, add -거들랑.
Story
Min-su tells his friend, 'If you really want to eat pizza, tell me.' He uses '피자 먹거들랑 말해.' His friend feels the emphasis and decides to tell him immediately.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using -거들랑 to give advice to a friend today.
Cultural Notes
Used often by older generations to give advice to younger ones. It sounds like 'wise advice'.
Derived from the combination of the conditional marker -거 and the emphatic particle -들랑.
Conversation Starters
주말에 시간이 있거들랑 뭐 하고 싶어?
도움이 필요하거들랑 누구한테 말할 거야?
맛있는 음식을 먹거들랑 누구랑 먹고 싶어?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
시간이 ___ 연락해.
Choose the best sentence.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /4
Practice Exercises
4 exercises시간이 ___ 연락해.
Choose the best sentence.
연락해 / 있거들랑 / 시간이
Match: 배가 고프거들랑 / 돈이 필요하거들랑
Score: /4
FAQ (6)
Yes, it attaches to any verb or adjective stem.
No, it is generally informal or semi-formal.
It adds emphasis and is often used for advice.
Yes, but it is less common.
Mostly in dialogue or informal writing.
It can, depending on the tone and context.
In Other Languages
Si + subjuntivo
Korean has a specific suffix for emphatic advice.
Si + présent
Korean uses morphology to express emphasis.
Wenn
Korean uses a suffix.
tara
Korean is more specific in its conditional markers.
idha
Korean is agglutinative.
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