-(이)라야

N(이)라야 says that being N is the required condition for what follows ("only if it is N / it has to be N"); it can also downplay something as "merely N".

조건·가정Conditions & what-ifs

Han: -(이)라야 attaches only to nouns; a verb like 공부하다 takes -아/어야.

Examples

그 식당은 예약 손님이라야만 들어갈 수 있대요.They say you can get into that restaurant only if you have a reservation.

우리 동네에 있는 가게라야 편의점 하나뿐이에요.The only shop in our neighborhood is just one convenience store.

이런 문제는 경험이 많은 전문가라야 해결할 수 있을 거예요.Only an experienced expert will be able to solve a problem like this.

이 수업은 토픽 5급 이상이라야 들을 수 있어요.You can take this class only if you have TOPIK level 5 or higher.

Don’t mix up

-(이)라야vsN이어야/여야Nearly the same meaning; N이어야 is the neutral everyday form, while N(이)라야 sounds more emphatic and written: 학생이어야 할인돼요 / 학생이라야 할인돼요.

-(이)라야vsN(이)라도(이)라도 means "even if it is N" (N is not required), while (이)라야 means "N is required": 아이라도 할 수 있어요 vs 어른이라야 할 수 있어요.

-(이)라야vsN만만 simply limits who or what; (이)라야 presents being N as the condition that makes the result possible: 회원만 왔어요 vs 회원이라야 들어갈 수 있어요.

How to build it

N (final consonant)+이라야

N (final vowel)+라야, often+만 for emphasis

전문가 → 전문가라야, 회원 → 회원이라야(만)

It attaches to nouns (and noun phrases like 5급 이상). With verbs and adjectives use -아/어야 instead.
The following clause usually states what becomes possible or allowed (할 수 있다, 되다, 가능하다); it is usually not followed by a command or suggestion.
Tense is not marked on -(이)라야 itself; put it at the end: 회원이라야 들어갈 수 있었다.
In the "merely N" use, the ending is usually 뿐이다 or a small amount, often with 고작: 가진 돈이라야 만 원뿐이다.

Classic mistake

Wrong: ~~열심히 공부해라야 합격할 수 있어요.~~

Right: 열심히 공부해야 합격할 수 있어요.

-(이)라야 attaches only to nouns; a verb like 공부하다 takes -아/어야.

Practise -(이)라야 on real TOPIK questions

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