Learn Hardcore Korean: jihacheoreul tamyeon pyeonrihaeyo. - If you take the subway, it’s convenient.

The particle -을/를 marks the direct object. Since 지하철 is the thing you “ride,” you attach 을 (because 지하철 ends in the consonant ㄹ). If the noun ended in a vowel, you would use -를 instead. In other words, “to take the subway” is 지하철을 타다, so 지하철 must carry the object marker 을.

What role does -면 play in 타면?

-면 is the conditional suffix. You attach it to a verb stem to mean “if/when [you] do [that verb].”
• Verb: 타다 (to ride)
• Stem: 타-
• + -면 → 타면 = “if/when (you) ride”

Why is it 타면 and not 타으면?

Korean has two conditional endings: -면 and -으면.
• If the verb stem ends in a vowel (like 타-), you use -면.
• If it ends in a consonant (e.g. 먹-), you use -으면 → 먹으면.

What is the dictionary form of 편리해요, and how is it conjugated?

The dictionary form is 편리하다 (to be convenient), which is a -하다 verb. To form the polite present:

Drop -다 → 편리하-
Add -해요 → 편리해요
All -하다 verbs follow this pattern: e.g. 공부하다 → 공부해요.

What’s the difference between 편리하다 and 편하다?

• 편리하다 emphasizes practical convenience or efficiency (transportation, systems, tools).
• 편하다 emphasizes comfort or ease of feeling (physical comfort, emotional ease).
So 지하철을 타면 편리해요 means “If you take the subway, it’s convenient [efficient/practical].”

Why is there no subject in the sentence? Who is doing the action?

Korean often omits the subject when it’s understood from context. Here the implied subject is general—“you” or “people.” The sentence means “If you ride the subway, it’s convenient.” There’s no need to state 당신은 or 우리는 unless you want to emphasize the subject.

Why is the verb ending -요 used here instead of -다 or another form?

-요 signals the polite informal style (해요체), common in daily conversation with people you’re not extremely close to.
• -다 is the plain/dictionary style, used in writing or narration.
• -습니다 is the formal style for speeches or very polite contexts.
Using 편리해요 makes the sentence polite but still casual.

Can you drop particles and say 지하철 타면 편리해요?

Yes. In casual spoken Korean, particles like 을 are often dropped when the meaning is clear.
– Full: 지하철을 타면 편리해요
– Casual: 지하철 타면 편리해요
Dropping the particle makes it more colloquial, but including it is clearer in written or formal speech.