High-Frequency Advanced Grammar 2: '-기 마련이다' (-gi maryeon-ida), '-는 법이다' (-neun beobida), '-기 십상이다' (-gi sipsang-ida)
This lesson compares three expressions for natural outcomes — a general truth, an inevitable consequence, and the likelihood of a negative result. All three share a sense of 'naturalness' but differ in nuance.
1. '-기 마련이다' (-gi maryeon-ida) — it is natural that; bound to
Use this for a universal, self-evident event that happens to everyone. The variant '-게 마련이다' is also possible.
사람은 누구나 나이가 들면 늙기 마련이다.
saram-eun nuguna nai-ga deulmyeon neulkki maryeon-ida.
Everyone is bound to grow old as they age.
오래 쓰면 물건은 낡기 마련이다.
orae sseumyeon mulgeon-eun nalkki maryeon-ida.
If used for a long time, things are bound to wear out.
2. '-는 법이다' (-neun beobida) — it is the way; as a rule
Use this to state a principle of the world or a proper course of things. It carries a more normative, instructive tone than '-기 마련이다'.
노력한 만큼 결과가 나오는 법이다.
noryeokhan mankeum gyeolgwa-ga naoneun beobida.
As a rule, results come in proportion to one's effort.
죄를 지으면 벌을 받는 법이다.
joe-reul jieumyeon beol-eul batneun beobida.
As a rule, those who commit a crime are punished.
3. '-기 십상이다' (-gi sipsang-ida) — likely to end up; apt to
Use this to indicate that one is apt to end up with an outcome, usually a negative one.
급하게 먹으면 체하기 십상이다.
geupage meogeumyeon chehagi sipsang-ida.
If you eat in a hurry, you are apt to get an upset stomach.
준비 없이 시작하면 실패하기 십상이다.
junbi eopsi sijakhamyeon silpaehagi sipsang-ida.
If you start without preparation, you are likely to end up failing.
4. Related expression: '-게 되어 있다' (-ge doeeo itda) — be set to; destined to
'-게 되어 있다' also expresses an inevitable outcome and can often be swapped in for '-기 마련이다', e.g. 거짓말은 언젠가 들통나게 되어 있다 (A lie is bound to come out sooner or later).
| Grammar | Tone | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| -기 마련이다 | universal; self-evident | neutral |
| -는 법이다 | normative; instructive | neutral to positive |
| -기 십상이다 | cautionary; worried | usually negative |
| -게 되어 있다 | inevitable; fated | neutral |
💡 Tip: In the writing section, '-기 마련이다' and '-는 법이다' are useful as conclusions to generalized statements. By contrast, reserve '-기 십상이다' for warnings about negative results — do not use it in positive contexts.