Learn Korean: Verb + 면/는다

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 면/는다. We use this to make a friendly threat when someone fails to comply what we are asking him to do. This is common among siblings and friends. Adults use this as well to make younger ones take action. For example, my son refused to eat the vegetarian dish I cooked for him. He insisted on having chicken again. So to make him eat, I resorted to threatening him (jokingly). I said If you won’t eat / I will confiscate your phone. The first part (if) is expressed through 면. The main verb is 먹다 (to eat). Its negative form is 안 먹다. We take the verb stem (먹) and attach 으면. If the verb stem ends in a vowel, use 면. The actual form is 안 먹으면. The second part (threat) is expressed through 는다. The main verb is 압수하다 (to confiscate). We take the verb stem (압수하) and attach ㄴ다. If the verb stem ends in a consonant, use 는다. The actual form is 압수한다. When combined, the actual sentence is 안 먹으면 압수한다.

안 주면 죽는다.

I’m gonna kill if you if you don’t give that (back).

빨리 안 자면 때린다.

I will hit you if you won’t sleep right now.

말 안 하면 네 사진 올린다.

If you won’t tell me (reason, secret, etc.), I will upload your photo (on SNS).