Should and shouldn't
How to say should or should not in Korean? Multiple ways to make suggestion were covered by a previous chapter. This chapter builds on that by introducing the (으)면 form with 좋다 to give a gentle recommendation (“it would be good to…” or “you should…”), and with 안 되다 to express a warning or prohibition (“you shouldn’t…” or “you must not…”).
Saying should using the (으)면 form with 좋다
Section titled “Saying should using the (으)면 form with 좋다”To say should combine the (으)면 form with 좋다 (To be good). It literally means “It's good if...".
지금 떠나면 좋아요.
You should depart now.
Saying shouldn't using the (으)면 form with 안 되다
Section titled “Saying shouldn't using the (으)면 form with 안 되다”To say shouldn't combine the (으)면 form with 안 되다 (To not be okay). It literally means “It's not okay if...".
지금 떠나면 안 돼요.
You shouldn't depart now.