Learn Korean: 나 같아도 VS 나 같으면
Let's figure out the difference between 나 같아도 and 나 같으면. The word 나 is the first person singular (I) in its casual form. The verb after it is 같다 which means to seem or to seem like. It is conjugated in two ways. One is a combination of 같다 and the connector 아도 and the other is a combination of 같다 and (으)면.
They also differ in
meaning and nuance. When you say 나 같아도, someone makes a statement and you agree with him if you were in his situation. It’s like I would do the same thing either. For instance, your friend
just broke the news that she has just dumped her boyfriend for having an affair with a slut. And you would do the same if you were her so you say 나 같아도 그랬을 거야 or 나 같아도 헤어질 거야.
When you say 나 같으면,
you are putting yourself in someone’s shoes but you are more inclined to your
own opinion or preference. Hence, the succeeding statement may not agree with
his or hers. Following the scenario above, you can say 나 같으면 일단 오해 좀 풀고 얘기 좀 할 거야 (In my case, I would clear up any misunderstanding first and have a talk with him). In polite speech, use 저 instead of 나.