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Lv 4ParticleIntermediate · TOPIK II

이면

imyeon

whether it's X or Y

Used in a repeated pattern (noun+이면 noun, noun+면 noun) to list two or more things as equally applicable, meaning someone or something is good at, or has, all of them without exception.

Form

Attaches to
Noun
Other shapes
면

Meanings

  1. 1

    A postpositional particle used to list two or more things on an equal footing.

    둘 이상의 사물을 같은 자격으로 이어 주는 조사.

Examples

  • 승규는 운동이면 운동, 공부면 공부 못하는 게 없다.

    Whether it's sports or studying, there's nothing Seunggyu can't do well.

  • 지수는 일이면 일, 살림이면 살림, 정말 팔방미인이다.

    Whether it's work or housekeeping, Jisu is truly good at everything.

  • 그 연예인은 춤이면 춤, 노래면 노래, 정말 빠지는 게 없다.

    That celebrity really lacks nothing -- dancing, singing, you name it.

  • 이 집은 교통이면 교통, 전망이면 전망 뭐든 다 갖췄네요. 그러게요. 정말 탐나는 집이네요.

    This house has it all -- transportation, view, whatever you name it. Right, it's really an enviable house.

  • 이 집은 교통이면 교통, 전망이면 전망 뭐든 다 갖췄네요.

    This house has it all -- transportation, view, whatever you name it.

  • 그러게요. 정말 탐나는 집이네요.

    Right, it's really an enviable house.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘이면’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “whether it's X or Y”?