안녕하세요! 토미입니다.
Let’s have fun learning Korean!
Today, we will learn three grammar rules.
① -는/(으)ㄴ 법이다 “it’s bound to…” or “it’s certain that….”
② -는 탓에 “because, due to”
③ -는 모양이다 “it seems…, I guess…..’
Once you can use today’s grammar, such as -(으)ㄴ/는 법이다, you can proudly say,
아는 만큼 보이는 법이다
You can see as much as you know. Ta-dah!!
It sounds as if you have achieved enlightenment.
You can even say this sophisticated expression is like a wise person.
By learning these, I am sure you can pass TOPIK II and become a master of Korean!
그럼 시작할게요!
-는/(으)ㄴ 법이다
Verbs + 는 법이다
Adjective(without a final consonant) + ㄴ 법이다
Adjective(with a final consonant) + 은 법이다
Our first grammatical rule, -는/(으)ㄴ 법이다, is like an expression that a wise person will use.
You can use this grammar for a verb or an adjective and express universal rules worldwide.
The translation will be “bound to…, it’s certain that…, it is natural.”
For example, you can use this grammar in this kind of sentence in English.
If you are in a hurry, you will make a mistake. Do you get it?
It sounds like a life lesson you learned.
To apply this grammar to a verb, you use -는 법이다.
가다 “to go” can be 가는 법이다 “It is sure to go.”
And for adjectives, you use -(으)ㄴ 법이다.
For example, 좋다 (to be good) can be 좋은 법이다 “It is sure to be good”
Now, let’s read a sample sentence.
Verbs: Example 1
물은 위에서 아래로 흐르는 법이다.
Water indeed flows from high to low.
This is a universal principle.
I will explain how to apply this grammar.
Here, 흐르다 is “to flow.”
It is a verb, so you attach -는 법이다 and say, 흐르는 법이다 “It is certain that (water) flows.”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Verbs: Example 2
나쁜 일이 있으면 좋은 일도 있는 법이야.
There are undoubtedly good times and not-so-good times.
You can use this sentence when your friend had a bad time.
Here, 있다 is “to be.”
You apply the verb form, so you attach -는 법이다 to make 있는 법이다 “There certainly are..”
For your additional information, 있다 “to be” and 없다 “not to be” always conjugate as verbs.
So, it is going to be -있는/없는 all the time.
Even if there are some words before 있다/없다, you always apply this rule.
For example, 재미있다 is “to be fun,” and 재미없다 is “not to be fun.”
These are adjectives, but since there is 있다/없다 in words, you conjugate them as verbs.
So it is going to be 재미있는/재미없는.
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Adjectives: Example 3
기대가 크면 실망도 큰 법이죠.
Naturally, great expectations can lead to great disappointments.
Ouch!! But so true!! So, universal law, right? This can be a catchphrase of a wise person. Can you feel this grammar now?
Anyway, here, 크다 “to be big” is an adjective and does not have a final consonant.
Therefore, you attach -ㄴ 법이다 to make 큰 법이다 “It is natural to lead to great (disappointments).”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Adjectives: Example 4
원래 겸손한 사람은 말수가 적은 법입니다.
Certainly, humble people are usually quiet.
Anyway, here, 말수가 적다 “to be quiet” is an adjective and has a final consonant.
Therefore, you attach -은 법이다 to make 말수가 적은 법이다 “it is sure to be quiet.”
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding by taking some simple quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 세월이 흐르면 사람은 ( )법이다.
Naturally, a person will grow older as time goes by.
(1)늙는 (2)늙은
The correct answer is (1).
늙다 is “to grow old.” It is treated as a verb.
Therefore, you can attach -는 법이다 and say, 늙는 법이다 “It is natural that (a person)will grow old.”
On the other hand, the number two, 늙은, is past tense and is not suitable for this grammatical rule.
Now, let’s read this sentence as if you have achieved enlightenment!
세월이 흐르면 사람은 (늙는)법이다.
However, we can be young at heart at any age.
Okay, please read this part at least three times to feel the law of nature.
Now, let’s move on to the following quiz!
2. 시작이 좋으면 끝도 ( ) 법이죠.
Indeed, good beginnings will lead to good endings.
(1)좋은 (2)좋는
Wow, I love this sentence so much!!
The correct answer is (1).
좋다 is “to be good,” and this is an adjective that has a final consonant.
Therefore, you attach -은 법이다 to say, 좋은 법이다 “it is sure that… leads to good (endings).”
You can use -이죠 to add a nuance of persuasion.
So, 좋은 법이죠 is the answer!
Number two, 좋는, is the wrong grammar usage, so don’t use it!
Now, let’s read this sentence as if you have achieved enlightenment!
시작이 좋으면 끝도 (좋은) 법이죠.
Please read this part at least three times, imagining you learned a lesson.
-는 탓에
Verbs + 는 탓에
Adjective(without a final consonant) + ㄴ 탓에
Adjective(with a final consonant) + 은 탓에
Nouns + 인 탓에
Past tense
Verbs(without a final consonant) + ㄴ 탓에
Verbs(with a final consonant) + 은 탓에
Next, let’s learn -는 탓에 “because, due to.”
탓 conveys a nuance of placing blame on something.
You can use this to explain a reason for negative consequences.
So, you don’t feel good when someone says 탓.
To apply this grammar to a verb, you use -는 탓에.
When you want to use the past tense of a verb, you can use -(으)ㄴ 탓에.
In the case of adjectives, you use -(으)ㄴ 탓에.
In the case of nouns, you will use -인 탓에.
Now, let’s read a sample sentence together.
Verbs: Example 1
그는 자기를 너무도 모르는 탓에 자신감을 가지지 못했다.
He could not be confident in himself because he did not know himself.
Here, we treat 모르다 “not to know” as a verb.
Therefore, you will attach -는 탓에 to say 모르는 탓에 “because he does not know”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Adjectives: Example 2
작년에는 내가 회사 일로 바쁜 탓에 엄마 생일도 잊어 버렸어요.
I forgot my mother’s birthday last year because I was too busy with work.
Here, since 바쁘다 “to be busy” is an adjective that does not have a final consonant, you will attach -ㄴ 탓에 and say, 바쁜 탓에 “because I was too busy.”
Nouns: Example 3
저는 급한 성격인 탓에 종종 실수할 때가 있어요.
Because I have an impatient personality, I often make mistakes.
Here, since 성격 “personality” is a noun, you will attach -인 탓에 and say, 성격인 탓에 “because I have a personality.”
Past tense: Example 4
어제 술을 너무 많이 먹은 탓에 머리가 아파.
I have a headache because I drank too much yesterday.
Here, 먹다 “to drink” is a verb with a final consonant, and you want to say something you did in the past.
Therefore, you will attach -은 탓에, the past tense, and say, 먹은 탓에 “because I drank.”
Tammy, 먹다 means “to eat,” doesn’t it?
Yes!! You are correct!! You are focusing on your studies very well!
You can use 먹다 “to eat” to say 물 먹다 “to drink water” or 술 먹다 “to consume alcohol.”
Of course, you can use 마시다 “to drink.”
But if you use 먹다, people will think you drink it in one gulp like (gesture).
Do you get it?
Now, let’s read the following sample sentence.
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding by taking simple quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 내가 ( ) 그 후배는 사업에 실패해 버렸어요.
My junior associate failed in business because I could not warn him.
(1)주의하지 못한 탓에 (2)주의하지 못한 덕분에
The correct answer is (1).
Here, 주의하지 못하다 means “could not warn.”
Since you want to say, “because I could not warn,” which is in the past tense, you will attach -ㄴ 탓에 and say, 주의하지 못한 탓에.
Number two is wrong because 덕분에 means “thanks to,” which has a positive connotation.
This is the opposite of 탓에 “because of.”
Now, let’s read this sentence with regretful emotions!
내가 (주의하지 못한 탓에) 그 후배는 사업에 실패해 버렸어요.
Please practice several times until you can say it naturally.
Now, let’s move on to the following quiz!
2. 그는 ( ) 시험에 합격하지 못했다.
He could not pass the exam because he was lazy.
(1)심심한 탓에 (2) 게으른 탓에
The correct answer is (2).
게으르다 is “to be lazy,” which is an adjective that does not have a final consonant.
Therefore, you will attach -ㄴ 탓에 to say, 게으른 탓에 “because he was lazy.”
Number one is wrong because 심심하다 means “to be bored.”
It is the opposite of what you want to say.
Now, let’s read the sentence together!
그는 (게으른 탓에) 시험에 합격하지 못했다.
Please read this part at least three times until you can say it smoothly.
-는 모양이다
Verbs + 는 모양이다
Adjective(without a final consonant) + ㄴ 모양이다
Adjective(with afinal consonant) + 은 모양이다
Nouns + 인 모양이다
[Past tense] Verb(without a final consonant) + ㄴ 모양이다
[Past tense] Verb(with a final consonant) + 은 모양이다
[Future tense] Verb(with no final consonant) + ㄹ 모양이다
[Future tense] Verb(with final consonant) + 을 모양이다
Let’s learn our last grammar. -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 means “it looks like …, it appears to be like…” Here, 모양 means “appearance” or “shape.”
If you say -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다, then you can refer to a situation based on your observation.
This grammar’s nuance is very similar to ~(으)ㄴ/는 걸 보니까 that we learned in our previous lesson number 7.
I’ll explain the usage of a verb, an adjective, and a noun.
First, for the present tense of a verb, you use -는 모양이다.
For the past tense of a verb, you use -(으)ㄴ 모양이다.
And for the future tense, you use -(으)ㄹ 모양이다.
Second, for an adjective, you use -(으)ㄴ 모양이다.
In the case of a noun, you use -인 모양이다.
Now, let’s read the sample sentences.
Verbs: Example 1
사람들이 우산을 쓰는 걸 보니까 비가 오는 모양이에요.
Seeing that people are using umbrellas, it appears to be raining.
Here, 비가 오다 “to rain” is a verb. Since you want to say, “It appears to be raining,” you will attach the present tense for verbs -는 모양이다 and say, 비가 오는 모양이다 “it appears to be raining.”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Adjectives: Example 2
그 사람은 오기 싫은 모양이야.
It appears that he does not want to come.
Here, 오기 싫다 “not want to come” is an adjective with a final consonant.
You attach -은 모양이다 and say, 오기 싫은 모양이다 “it appears that he does not want to come.”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Nouns: Example 3
그 사람 생일이 오늘인 모양이지?
It appears that today is that person’s birthday.
Here, since 오늘 “today” is a noun, you will attach -인 모양이다 and say, 오늘인 모양이다 “appears to be today.’
Verbs: Example 4
친구가 여기 없는 걸 보니까 먼저 출발한 모양이구나.
Seeing that our friends are not here, it appears that they left before us.
Here, 출발하다 “to leave, to depart, is a verb without a final consonant.
Since you want to mention a circumstance that happened in the past, you will attach -ㄴ 모양이다 and say, 출발한 모양이다 “it appears as if they had left.”
Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Verbs: Example 5
무슨 일이 일어날 모양이군요.
Something is going to happen.
Here, 일어나다 “to happen” is a verb without a final consonant.
And you want to say, “Something will happen in the future.”
Therefore, you will attach -ㄹ 모양이다 and say, 일어날 모양이다 “it is going to happen.” Let’s read the following sample sentence.
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding by taking simple quizzes.
Which one is the correct answer?
1. 우리 오빠가 아직도 회사에 ( ) 모양이에요.
It appears that my brother is still in the office.
(1)있은 (2)있는
The correct answer is (2).
있다 “to be, to stay” is a verb. So, you will attach -는 모양이다 and say, 있는 모양이다.
“It appears that (he) is still “in the office.”
Number (1) is incorrect because 있은 is grammatically incorrect.
Now, let’s read the sentence together!
우리 오빠가 아직도 회사에 (있는) 모양이에요.
Please read this part several times until you can say it smoothly.
Now, let’s try the following quiz!
2. 땀이 나는 걸 보니까 ( ) 모양이지?
Seeing that you are sweating, it appears to be hot, doesn’t it?
(1)더운 (2)더은
The correct answer is (1).
덥다 is “to be hot.” This is an adjective that has ㅂ final consonant.
You can attach -은 모양이다.
But don’t forget that ㅂ irregular applies to 덥다, so that the correct grammar will be 더운 모양이다.
Also, since the phrase is used as a question like “to be hot, isn’t it?” you use -지? at the end to make 더운 모양이지?.
The number two is wrong because 더은 is incorrect grammar.
Please be careful. Now, let’s read the sentence together!
땀이 나는 걸 보니까 더운 모양이지?
You can read this part several times to get a sense of guessing.
Homework
Okay, nice job!
Now, I will give you the wonderful gift of homework.
웃으면 행복이 오는 법이에요.
If you laugh, you will be happy. Yay, homework!
There are two parts to the homework, as usual.
The first part is to make three sentences using the grammatical rules you learned today.
① Please use -는/(으)ㄴ 법이다 “it is natural that it is certain that” and tell me a lesson you learned in your life.
For example,
- 노력한 만큼 잘 살 수 있는 법이다.
You can certainly live as happily as the hard work you put in.
Do you agree with this? I hope you do.
② Please use -는 탓에 “because/due to” and place blame on something.
For example,
- 저는 공부하는 방법을 모른 탓에 티비만 보고 살았어요.
I have been watching TV because I did not know how to study.
I’m sure you study Korean every day, don’t you?
Please don’t watch TV all the time like I do! You ruin your life.
③ Please tell me what a circumstance appears to be by using -는 모양이다 ‘, it seems to be.”
For example,
- 우리 언니는 그 사람을 좋아하는 모양인데.
It appears that my sister likes that person.
Your comments encourage me to keep going! Please leave your comments below.
The second part of the homework is to memorize words.
Please memorize the 40 words from numbers 321 to 360 on page 5 of the Intermediate Vocabulary list.
Please try a word quiz that I have made available on my website. The link is in the description below.
That’s it! Great job, everyone.
It takes courage to learn a language, but in the end, those who keep up confidently will surely prevail.
So, let’s speak, write, and use Korean with confidence!
I am sure that you will make progress.
Don’t forget I am always supporting your Korean-learning journey!
그럼 오늘도 행복 가득, 웃음 가득한 하루 되세요！
한국어 화이팅, 화이팅, 화이팅！！
Vocabulary Test : 40 Questions
