-는 법이다Korean expression · TOPIK 5

-neun beobida

An expression used to indicate that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement has been decided already or is reasonable.

형태Forms

-는 법이다-ㄴ 법이다-은 법이다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement has been decided already or is reasonable.

앞말이 나타내는 동작이나 상태가 이미 그렇게 정해져 있거나 그런 것이 당연하다는 뜻을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, adjectives and verbs ending in 있다 or 없다 or the honorific -으시-.

'있다', '없다', '계시다'나 '있다', '없다'로 끝나는 형용사, 동사 또는 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

겨울이 가면 봄이 오는 법이다.

When winter goes, spring comes.

잘못을 하면 벌을 받는 법이다.

If you do wrong, you get punished.

포기하지 않고 노력하는 사람이 성공하는 법이다.

Those who don't give up and keep trying are the ones who succeed.

대화In conversation

제 것보다 언니 옷이 더 예쁜 것 같아요.

I think your clothes are prettier than mine.

원래 남의 떡이 커 보이는 법이야.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 마련이다 -ge maryeonida -기 마련이다 An expression used to indicate that it is natural for something to occur or become a certain state. TOPIK 5 -게 생겼다 -ge saengyeotta An expression used to indicate that someone is facing the situation expressed by the preceding statement. TOPIK 5 -기 나름이다 -gi nareumida -을 나름이다 An expression used to indicate that something depends on how the act mentioned in the preceding statement is done. TOPIK 5 -기가 바쁘게 -giga bappeuge An expression used to indicate that something happens as soon as the act mentioned in the preceding statement is completed. TOPIK 5 -기가 쉽다 -giga swipda An expression used to state that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement is likely to occur. TOPIK 5 -기만 하다 -giman hada An expression used to state that one does only one act without doing anything else. TOPIK 5

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는 법이다 mean in Korean?

-는 법이다 is a expression introduced at 5급 (TOPIK 5). An expression used to indicate that the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement has been decided already or is reasonable.

When do you use -는 법이다?

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, adjectives and verbs ending in 있다 or 없다 or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -ㄴ 법이다, -은 법이다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는 법이다 and -ㄴ 법이다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -는 법이다?

5급 — TOPIK 5, advanced. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.