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Lv 5Grammar expressionAdvanced · TOPIK II

-을 테면

-eul temyeon

if you're going to; go ahead and...

Attaches to verb stems to present a condition based on the listener's own will or intention, often in a challenging or defiant tone — 'if you really intend to X, then...'.

Form

Other shapes
-ㄹ 테면

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to indicate that the speaker wants to do or has a will to do a certain thing, as a condition for the following statement.

    뒤에 오는 말의 조건으로 듣는 사람이 어떤 행위를 하고 싶거나 의지가 있음을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ ‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 뒤에는 동일한 동사를 반복적으로 쓴다.

Examples

  • 집에 갈 테면 가.

    If you're going to go home, then go.

  • 저를 따라올 테면 따라와 보세요.

    If you're going to follow me, then go ahead and try.

  • 떠날 테면 미련 없이 떠나.

    If you're going to leave, leave without any regrets.

  • 비웃을 테면 맘껏 비웃어.

    If you're going to laugh at me, go ahead and laugh all you want.

  • 잡을 테면 잡아 보세요.

    If you think you can catch me, go ahead and try.

  • 식은 밥이라도 먹을 테면 먹어.

    If you're going to eat even cold rice, then eat it.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-을 테면’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “if you're going to; go ahead and...”?