Example Sentences#

1. “그렇다면 당신은 어떻게 자신이 미쳤다는 걸 아세요?”¹
   “If so, how do you know that you are mad?”
   • 그렇다 means ‘to be so’ or ‘to be like that’.
   • -다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -다고 하면, where -다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.
2. 아마 실제로 십자가형을 당해야 하는 상황이 온다면, 저는 그것을 이겨낼 수 있을 것입니다.²
   Perhaps if a situation were to come where I had to actually be crucified, I would be able to overcome it.
   • 오다 means ‘to come’.
   • -ㄴ다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -ㄴ다고 하면, where -ㄴ다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.
3. 네가 친구를 원한다면, 나를 길들여 줘.”³
   If you want a friend, tame me.”
   • 원하다 means ‘to want’.
   • -ㄴ다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -ㄴ다고 하면, where -ㄴ다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.
4. 체셔 고양이: “그렇다면,” 고양이는 계속했다.¹
   Cheshire Cat: “If so,” the Cat continued.
   • 그렇다 means ‘to be so’ or ‘to be like that’.
   • -다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -다고 하면, where -다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.
5. “네가 오후 네 시에 온다면, 나는 세 시부터 벌써 행복해지기 시작할 거야.³
   “If you come at four in the afternoon, then at three o’clock I shall begin to feel happy.
   • 오다 means ‘to come’.
   • -ㄴ다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -ㄴ다고 하면, where -ㄴ다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.
6. 하지만 네가 아무 때나 온다면, 나는 몇 시에 마음의 준비를 해야 할지 알 수 없을 거야…”³
   But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour to prepare my heart…”
   • 오다 means ‘to come’.
   • -ㄴ다면 is a speculative conditional expression. It is a contracted form of -ㄴ다고 하면, where -ㄴ다고 is a quotative marker indicating reported speech or thoughts, and 하면 combines 하다 (to say) with 면 (if). This structure implies ‘if it were the case’ or ‘suppose that,’ adding a hypothetical nuance to the statement.