Learn Hardcore Korean: 2024nyeoni doemyeon saeroun mokpyoreul se-ul geoyeyo. - When it becomes 2024, I will set new goals.

In Korean, nouns acting as the subject of a verb take a subject particle. 년 (year) ends in a consonant, so it takes 이. Here 2024년이 is the subject of the verb 되면 (“becomes”). Without 이, the sentence would be ungrammatical.

What does the ending -면 mean in 되면?

The suffix -면 attaches to a verb stem to express “if/when … happens.” So 2024년이 되면 literally means “when it becomes 2024” or “once it turns 2024.”

Could I just say 2024년에 새로운 목표를 세울 거예요? What’s the difference?

Yes, 2024년에 means “in 2024” and simply marks the time of the action. 2024년이 되면 adds the nuance of the moment of transition—“once it turns 2024.” It emphasizes “as soon as we reach that year.”

What does -을 거예요 do here?

-을 거예요 is the polite future construction (verb stem + -을/ㄹ + 거예요). It indicates a planned or intended future action: “I will set …”

Why use 세우다 for 목표를 세울? Can I use 정하다 instead?

Both verbs can mean “to set/decide” a goal. 목표를 세우다 focuses on “establishing” or “laying out” a plan. 목표를 정하다 emphasizes the act of deciding or choosing a goal. In many contexts they’re interchangeable, but 세우다 often feels a bit more proactive or structural.

The adjective 새로운 before 목표 – why not 새?

새로운 is the full adjective meaning “new.” 새 is a bound modifier (mostly used in compound words) and sounds less natural when directly modifying 목표 in everyday speech. 새로운 목표 is the standard way to say “new goal.”

Could I use 2024년이 오면 instead of 2024년이 되면?

Grammatically you can: 오다 (“to come”) can mark the arrival of a time point. But Koreans prefer 되다 when talking about “turning into” a new year. 되면 feels more natural for “once 2024 arrives.”

Can I say 새로운 목표를 세우겠다 instead of 세울 거예요?

Yes. -겠다 also expresses the speaker’s will or intention (“I will”). It often sounds slightly more formal or shows stronger determination. -을 거예요 is more conversationally polite and common in everyday speech.