Learn Korean: Verb + 어떻게 되다

This pattern is used to ask a major consequence if you or another person fails to do something or does something that may break a rule or law. 어떻게 되다 is conjugated into 어떻게 되는 거예요/거야 with a question mark. We use the conditional verb ending –(으)면 for the main verb and you may further use 만약에 at the start of the sentence which emphasizes the if-clause. Altogether, it means what happens if...

밤 12시까지 집에 못 들어오면 어떻게 되는 거야?

What happens if I don’t get home by midnight?

내일 집세를 못 주면 어떻게 되는 거예요?

What happens if I can’t pay the rent tomorrow?

숙제 정각에 못 내면 어떻게 되는 거예요?

What happens if I can’t submit my homework on time?

만약에 여권을 못 찾으면 어떻게 되는 거예요?

What happens if I cannot find my missing passport?

만약에 아이를 한 번도 낳으면 어떻게 되는 거야?

What happens if you give birth to a second child?