VS + 기 마련이다
Title
The Usage of "VS + 기 마련이다" in KoreanGrammar Explanation
The expression "VS + 기 마련이다" is used to indicate that something is natural, inevitable, or bound to happen. It carries the meaning of “it is only natural that…” or “it is bound to be…”
Structure:
Verb stem + 기 마련이다
This pattern emphasizes that a certain event or phenomenon is something expected or unavoidable based on experience or logic. It is often used in written or formal speech but can also appear in spoken language when emphasizing a general truth.
Usage:
To express an inevitable situation:
노력하면 좋은 결과를 얻기 마련이다.
(If you work hard, you are bound to get good results.)
To state common knowledge or natural consequences:
시간이 지나면 잊히기 마련이다.
(As time passes, things are bound to be forgotten.)
To indicate human nature or general tendencies:
사람은 실수를 하기 마련이다.
(People are bound to make mistakes.)
The phrase "기 마련이다" can be replaced with "는 법이다", which has a similar meaning but is slightly more formal or philosophical.
3. Example Sentences
추운 날씨에는 감기에 걸리기 마련이에요.
(In cold weather, it's natural to catch a cold.)부모님은 자식 걱정을 하기 마련이에요.
(Parents are bound to worry about their children.)처음에는 어려워도 계속하면 익숙해지기 마련이다.
(At first, it’s difficult, but if you keep going, you’ll naturally get used to it.)좋은 일을 하면 좋은 결과가 있기 마련이에요.
(If you do good things, good results are bound to follow.)시간이 지나면 모든 것이 변하기 마련이다.
(As time passes, everything is bound to change.)
4. Sample Dialogues
Dialogue 1
A: 한국어 공부가 너무 어려워요. (A: Studying Korean is so difficult.)
B: 처음에는 어렵기 마련이에요. 하지만 계속하면 점점 쉬워질 거예요.
(B: It's only natural that it's hard at first. But if you continue, it will get easier.)
Dialogue 2
A: 왜 그렇게 걱정을 많이 해? (A: Why are you worrying so much?)
B: 중요한 시험을 앞두고 있으면 걱정이 되기 마련이잖아.
(B: When you have an important exam coming up, it’s only natural to worry.)
Dialogue 3
A: 요즘 너무 바빠서 친구들을 못 만나고 있어. (A: I’m so busy these days that I can’t meet my friends.)
B: 바쁘면 인간관계가 소홀해지기 마련이지. 그래도 가끔 연락은 해.
(B: When you're busy, relationships are bound to become neglected. But still, try to keep in touch sometimes.)
Make Korean Sentences from English!
It's natural to get nervous before a big presentation..
If you don’t exercise, you are bound to gain weight.
When you move to a new place, it’s natural to feel lonely.
My friend said that if you eat too much junk food, you are bound to feel sick.
The weather is bound to get colder in the winter.
When my mom makes kimchi, the kitchen is bound to get messy.
If you drive too fast, accidents are bound to happen.
When you work too much, you are bound to get stressed.
My teacher told me that if I practice every day, I am bound to improve.
If you don’t study, your grades are bound to drop.