-거든②
-거든②: If You Happen To — Condition Before a Command
Connective condition: if it is the case that… — commonly before imperative/propositive.
How to form it
| When | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb stem | -거든 | 있거든 / 사거든 |
| Intention + condition | -으려거든 | 사려거든 / 가려거든 |
| Typical follow-up | -거든 + command | 사려거든 시장에 가세요 |
-거든② is the if it turns out / if you (happen to)… connective. Gloss: a condition before a command — the advice pattern if you’re going to buy vegetables, go to the market.
우리말샘 -거든 「002」: connective meaning if it is so / if it is realised. Sentence-final explanation is -거든①.
Shape
시간 있거든 연락하세요.
궁금하거든 다시 물어보세요.
채소를 사려거든 시장에 가세요.
버리려거든 먼저 나눠 주세요.Shopping advice:
신선한 걸 고르려거든 아침이 나아요.
많이 사려거든 장바구니를 가져가세요.① vs ②
| Slot | Job |
|---|---|
| -거든요 | explaining close — you may not know |
| -거든② | if-condition, often before advice/command |
시장이 싸거든요. explanation
사려거든 시장에 가세요. condition + commandVersus -(으)면
-으면 is the default if. -거든 adds a “if it really is / if that’s what you’re doing” colour, especially before directives.
Ask: am I setting a condition, often before telling someone what to do? If yes, -거든②. If you are explaining a fact, use -거든①.
Do not confuse it with
Taught alongside this
On the jabi learning path, this appears in 채소를 사려거든 시장에 가세요 (If you want to buy vegetables, go to the market) — Intermediate Korean 1, Unit 11, on the theme of food. These come with it:
Words used above
Quick check
No sign-up, no score saved — just see if it stuck.
1. 채소를 사려거든 시장에 가세요 is closest to…
2. How is ② different from ① -거든요?
3. Safer general ‘if’ for beginners?
Common questions
Must the second clause be a command?
Classroom examples love command/suggestion follow-ups. Dictionary -거든 「002」 is the if-condition link more broadly.
What is -으려거든?
Intention flavour plus -거든 — ‘if you mean to…’. Common in advice sentences.
Can I end with -거든요 here?
That jumps to geodeun1. Keep ② mid-sentence as a condition.
Banmal?
사려거든 시장에 가. still works among equals — watch tone.