How To Say 'It Would Be Fine If...' In Korean ((으)면 몰라도)

Written byLee Min-jung (이민정)

The Korean grammar structure A/V/N(으)면 몰라도 is used to contemplate situations different from reality, often in a negative way.

This can be translated roughly to "it would be different/fine/another story if... but".

Examples

If my children were young that'd be one thing, but why would I want them to live with me when they are adults?

It wouldn't be a problem if I was young, but there's no way I can run a marathon now.

It would be fine if I could go now, but if I leave the office at six I'll be stuck in traffic.

It'd be fine if I'd received a scholarship but how can I pay such high school fees without taking out a loan?

It would be fine if I could read Korean well but seeing as that's not the case, how will I understand this document?

It'd be fine if I were Superman, but how am I supposed to carry this heavy thing?

If I had help I'd be able to do it, but I can't do it alone.

It'd be a different story if I was rich, but how am I going to afford that designer jacket now?

Conclusion

The A/V/N(으)면 몰라도 structure allows you to convey hypothetical situations in a negative way.

It's a helpful way to express that a situation could be different if only certain conditions were met.

How To Say Doesn't Matter / Even If In Korean (는/ㄴ댔자)

Word Wars: 차이 vs 다르다 (to be different)

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Learn how to use A/V/N(으)면 몰라도 to express hypothetical situations in Korean, often in a negative context.

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Lee Min-jung (이민정)

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