KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › -기 마련이다
Korean Grammar “-기 마련이다”: Meaning and Usage (TOPIK 4)
How to attach it
Attach the pattern to the verb stem, which is the dictionary form without 다. Compare how each verb below changes depending on its last sound.
| Dictionary form | Meaning | With this pattern | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | to see, to watch | 보기 마련이다 | bogi maryeonida |
| 읽다 | to read | 읽기 마련이다 | ikgi maryeonida |
| 하다 | to do | 하기 마련이다 | hagi maryeonida |
| 살다 | to live | 살기 마련이다 | salgi maryeonida |
What changes
- This ending attaches directly to the stem. Nothing changes, whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Explanation
사람은 누구나 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
“-기 마련이다” means “it is only natural that … / is bound to …,” stating something that naturally or inevitably happens. It attaches directly to a verb or adjective stem. The sentence means “Everyone is bound to make mistakes.” Other endings such as “-는” cannot form this expression, though “-게 마련이다” is also used with the same meaning.
누구나 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
“-기 마련이다” means “is bound to ~ / it is only natural that ~” and states a general truth that something naturally follows in a given situation. It attaches to a verb or adjective stem. The sentence means “Everyone is bound to make mistakes.” It is used for general principles, not for personal plans or intentions.
사람은 누구나 처음에는 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
“-기 마련이다” means “it is natural that ~ / ~ is bound to happen” and states a general truth that something naturally and inevitably happens (stem + 기 마련이다). The sentence means “Everyone is bound to make mistakes at first.” “-기 나름이다” means “it depends on how ~,” a different idea.
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 사람은 누구나 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 사람은 | ||
| 사 | ㅅ+ㅏ | sa |
| 람 | ㄹ+ㅏ+ㅁ | [라] ra |
| 은 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄴ | [믄] meun |
| 누구나 | ||
| 누 | ㄴ+ㅜ | nu |
| 구 | ㄱ+ㅜ | gu |
| 나 | ㄴ+ㅏ | na |
| 실수를 | ||
| 실 | ㅅ+ㅣ+ㄹ | sil |
| 수 | ㅅ+ㅜ | su |
| 를 | ㄹ+ㅡ+ㄹ | reul |
| 하기 | ||
| 하 | ㅎ+ㅏ | ha |
| 기 | ㄱ+ㅣ | gi |
| 마련이에요 | ||
| 마 | ㅁ+ㅏ | ma |
| 련 | ㄹ+ㅕ+ㄴ | [려] ryeo |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [니] ni |
| 에 | ㅇ+ㅔ | e |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 람은 → [라믄]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in the example sentence
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 누구 | pronoun | who | TOPIK level 1 |
| 실수 | noun | mistake | TOPIK level 2 |
| 하다 | verb | to do | TOPIK level 1 |
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 사람은 누구나 실수를 하____ 마련이에요.
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Answer: 사람은 누구나 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
Question 2 Choose the word that fits the blank: 누구나 실수를 하____ 마련이에요.
Show the answer
Answer: 누구나 실수를 하기 마련이에요.
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