Korean Pattern ~(으)ㄹ 때: How to Say "when ~"

Modifier + 때. Time clause. Present: ~(으)ㄹ 때 (future/habitual), past: ~았/었을 때.

The Rule

~(으)ㄹ 때 = "when ~" Modifier + 때. Time clause. Present: ~(으)ㄹ 때 (future/habitual), past: ~았/었을 때. This is one of the essential Korean grammar patterns. Mastering it unlocks the ability to express "when ~" naturally in conversation — something you'll need almost every day.

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

In English, "when ~" is expressed with separate words (auxiliary verbs, modals). In Korean, ~(으)ㄹ 때 is a grammatical ENDING attached to the verb stem. You can't just translate word-by-word. The common mistake: trying to combine Korean words the way English does instead of attaching the pattern to the verb stem. Korean grammar works by stacking endings, not by adding separate helper words.

How It Works

Formation: Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 때 Modifier + 때. Time clause. Present: ~(으)ㄹ 때 (future/habitual), past: ~았/었을 때. Step by step: 1. Take any verb (e.g., 가다 = to go) 2. Remove 다 to get the stem (가) 3. Add the pattern: 가으ㄹ 때 This works with virtually any Korean verb.

Real Examples

• 한국에 갈 때 뭘 가져가요? (hanguke gar ttae mwor gajyeogayo?) — "When going to Korea, what should I bring?" • 슬플 때 음악을 들어요. (seurpeur ttae eumakeur deureoyo.) — "When I'm sad, I listen to music."

Common Mistakes

❌ Trying to translate "when ~" word-by-word from English ✅ Use the pattern ~(으)ㄹ 때 attached to the verb stem → Korean expresses "when ~" as a single grammatical construction, not separate words. ❌ Forgetting vowel harmony or consonant rules ✅ Check if the verb stem ends in a vowel or consonant — the pattern may change form → Pay attention to the verb stem's final sound when attaching the pattern.

Quick Tip

Practice ~(으)ㄹ 때 with 5 verbs you already know. Write them out: • 가다 (go) → 가으ㄹ 때 • 먹다 (eat) → 먹으ㄹ 때 Repetition with familiar verbs builds the pattern into muscle memory. Once automatic, you can use it with ANY verb.

~(으)ㄹ 때 = "when ~"

Examples

한국에 갈 때 뭘 가져가요? — hanguke gar ttae mwor gajyeogayo? — When going to Korea, what should I bring?

슬플 때 음악을 들어요. — seurpeur ttae eumakeur deureoyo. — When I'm sad, I listen to music.