-아/어서야 grammar = only if ~a condition must be met before something can happen

아/어서야 grammar

What is -아/어서야 Grammar?

-아/어서야 = -아/어서 (because, so ~expressing condition) + 야 (only, just ~emphasizing the situation)

The -아/어서야 grammar is used to emphasize that a certain condition must be met before something can happen. It translates to “only if” or “only when” in English. This structure often carries a nuance of necessity, restriction, or an unavoidable condition.

This structure is primarily used:

• To emphasize that a second action can only happen after a strict condition is met.
• To highlight something that is difficult to achieve unless a prior condition is fulfilled.
• In both spoken and written Korean, but more often in formal or literary contexts.

Conjugation Rules

1. Action Verbs + -아/어서야

If the verb stem ends in ㅏ or ㅗ → -아서야
가다 (to go) → 가서야 (Only if you go)

If the verb stem ends in other vowels → -어서야
먹다 (to eat) → 먹어서야 (Only if you eat)

2. Adjectives + -아/어서야

Similar to verbs, adjectives follow the same pattern.
건강하다 (to be healthy) → 건강해서야 (Only if you're healthy)

3. Nouns + (이)라서야

If the noun ends in a consonant + 이라서야 

학생 (student) → 학생이라서야 (Only if you're a student)

If the noun ends in a vowel + 라서야 
문제 (problem) → 문제라서야 (Only if it's a problem)

When and How to Use -아/어서야

1. Expressing necessity or conditions:

돈이 있어서야 여행을 갈 수 있지.
(Only if you have money can you travel.)

열심히 공부해서야 좋은 대학에 갈 수 있다.
(Only if you study hard can you get into a good university.)

2. Emphasizing difficulty or impossibility:

이렇게 게을러서야 성공할 수 있겠니?
(If you’re this lazy, do you think you can succeed?)

네가 도와줘서야 일이 끝나지.
(Only if you help will the work be finished.)

3. Highlighting an inevitable prerequisite:

건강해서야 행복할 수 있다.
(Only if you are healthy can you be happy.)

서로 믿어서야 좋은 관계가 유지된다.
(Only if you trust each other can a good relationship be maintained.)

Differences from Similar Grammar Patterns

Ending	Meaning	Usage
-아/어서야	Only if / Only when	Emphasizes the essential condition or necessity
-아/어야	Must / Have to	A more general expression of obligation
-고서야	Not until / Only after	Emphasizes the completion of an action
-지 않고는	Without doing	Shows something cannot happen unless another action is taken

Examples of -아/어서야 in Use

1. 네가 열심히 노력해서야 꿈을 이룰 수 있어.
(Only if you work hard can you achieve your dream.)

2. 돈을 벌어서야 집을 살 수 있지.
(Only if you earn money can you buy a house.)

3. 네가 사과를 해서야 문제가 해결될 거야.
(Only if you apologize will the problem be resolved.)

4. 서로 이해해서야 좋은 관계가 유지되지.
(Only if you understand each other can a good relationship last.)

5. 이 정도로 공부해서야 시험을 잘 볼 수 있겠어?
(Do you think you can do well on the test by studying this little?)

6. 건강해서야 모든 걸 할 수 있어.
(Only if you're healthy can you do everything.)

7. 아침을 먹어서야 힘이 나지.
(Only if you eat breakfast will you have energy.)

8. 이렇게 늦게 출발해서야 제시간에 도착할 수 있겠어?
(If you leave this late, do you think you’ll arrive on time?)

9. 환경을 보호해서야 지구를 살릴 수 있다.
(Only if we protect the environment can we save the Earth.)

10. 자신을 믿어서야 남도 믿을 수 있어.
(Only if you believe in yourself can you believe in others.)

Practice Sentences

Try translating these sentences into Korean using -아/어서야:

1. Only if you practice a lot can you get better.

2. If you spend money like this, will you be able to save?

3. Only if you experience it yourself will you understand.

Answers: 

1. 많이 연습해서야 실력이 늘지. 

2. 이렇게 돈을 써서야 저축할 수 있겠어? 

3. 직접 경험해서야 이해할 수 있다.

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