⚖️

Bound to be: -(으)ㄹ 법하다

Agent Progress
Built
Build Order
99
Keywords
추측 / 가능성
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Advanced Grammar
⚖️
TL;DR 🦄
  • ⚖️ -(으)ㄹ 법하다 means something is plausible, reasonable, or likely based on evidence — not magically “guaranteed.”
  • 🧠 Advanced use depends on the basis for the guess: circumstances, experience, social expectations, or what normally happens.
  • 🧭 It sits between softer -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (“I think / seems”) and stronger -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다 (“must / no doubt”).
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to chunks like 그럴 법해요, 오해할 법해요, 믿을 법한 이야기, and 도착했을 법해요. Type any sentence in and let your ears judge the rhythm. 👂
🧭
Duplicate-topic audit
 
This topic already appears in an intermediate lesson, but this advanced version adds a different job: evidence-based likelihood, register control, noun-modifier nuance, past plausibility, and contrast with adjacent speculation patterns. So this page is not a thin duplicate — it is the “use it precisely” upgrade. ⚙️
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄹ 법하다 is what you use when a guess feels reasonable because the situation supports it. It is not a wild hunch; it is a judgment with a little evidence wearing a tiny judge wig. ⚖️
 
Think of it as:
  • “It would be understandable if...”
  • “It is reasonable to expect that...”
  • “That sounds plausible.”
  • “That could naturally happen.”
 
The key is grounds. You usually have a reason: time passed, the weather changed, the price is high, the story is detailed, the person is tired, the mistake is common, or the situation normally leads to that result.
 

🎨 The Core Logical-Likelihood Family

1. Present/future plausibility: V/A-(으)ㄹ 법하다

Use this when an action or state is likely/reasonable now or in the future.
  • 오다 → 올 법하다 = likely to come
  • 도착하다 → 도착할 법하다 = likely to arrive
  • 비싸다 → 비쌀 법하다 = likely to be expensive
  • 복잡하다 → 복잡할 법하다 = likely to be complicated
 

2. Past plausibility: -았/었을 법하다

Use this when a past event seems reasonable or likely.
  • 잊어버리다 → 잊어버렸을 법하다 = likely forgot
  • 오해하다 → 오해했을 법하다 = likely misunderstood
  • 힘들다 → 힘들었을 법하다 = likely was hard
 

3. Noun plausibility: N일 법하다

Use this when a noun/category itself seems plausible.
  • 실수 → 실수일 법하다 = it could reasonably be a mistake
  • 사실 → 사실일 법하다 = it could be true
  • 소문 → 소문일 법하다 = it could be a rumor
 

4. Noun-modifier form: -(으)ㄹ 법한 N

Use this before a noun when describing something as believable, expected, or plausible.
  • 믿을 법한 이야기 = a believable story
  • 일어날 법한 문제 = a problem that could happen
  • 나올 법한 질문 = a question that is likely to come up
 

5. Advanced register feel

-(으)ㄹ 법하다 sounds more thoughtful, written, analytical, or slightly formal than casual -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요. It is common in explanations, reviews, predictions, commentary, and essays — the grammar equivalent of adjusting your glasses before making a point. 👓
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Reasonable expectation from time
  • 이제 답장이 올 법해요.
      • [i-je dap-jang-i ol beo-pae-yo]
      By now, a reply is likely to come. ✉️
      이제 = now/by now, 답장 = reply, 오다 = to come.
 
2. Understandable reaction
  • 설명이 부족하면 오해할 법해요.
      • [seol-myeong-i bu-jo-ka-myeon o-hae-hal beo-pae-yo]
      If the explanation is insufficient, it is understandable that someone might misunderstand. 🧩
      설명 = explanation, 부족하다 = to be insufficient, 오해하다 = to misunderstand.
 
3. Past plausibility
  • 밤새 일했으니까 많이 힘들었을 법해요.
      • [bam-sae il-hae-sseu-ni-kka ma-ni him-deu-reo-sseul beo-pae-yo]
      They worked all night, so it makes sense that it was very hard. 🌙
      밤새 = all night, 일하다 = to work, 힘들다 = to be hard/tiring.
 
4. Plausible noun identity
  • 자세히 보면 단순한 실수일 법해요.
      • [ja-se-hi bo-myeon dan-sun-han sil-su-il beo-pae-yo]
      If you look closely, it could reasonably be a simple mistake. 🔍
      자세히 = closely, 보다 = to look, 단순하다 = to be simple, 실수 = mistake.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Verb/adjective stem ending in a vowel → ㄹ 법하다

  • 오다 → 올 법하다
  • 가다 → 갈 법하다
  • 비싸다 → 비쌀 법하다
  • 크다 → 클 법하다
 

Verb/adjective stem ending in a consonant → 을 법하다

  • 먹다 → 먹을 법하다
  • 읽다 → 읽을 법하다
  • 많다 → 많을 법하다
  • 없다 → 없을 법하다
 

ㄹ-ending stem → keep ㄹ + 법하다

  • 살다 → 살 법하다
  • 만들다 → 만들 법하다
  • 열다 → 열 법하다
 

Noun → 일 법하다

  • 문제 → 문제일 법하다
  • 사실 → 사실일 법하다
  • 소문 → 소문일 법하다
 

Modifier before a noun → -(으)ㄹ 법한 N

  • 믿다 → 믿을 법한 이야기
  • 나오다 → 나올 법한 질문
  • 일어나다 → 일어날 법한 문제
 

🚨 Exception Rule(s)

  • ㅂ-irregular adjectives change before -(으)ㄹ:
    • 춥다 → 추울 법하다 = likely to be cold
    • 어렵다 → 어려울 법하다 = likely to be difficult
    • 덥다 → 더울 법하다 = likely to be hot
  • ㄷ-irregular verbs often change before vowel-starting 을:
    • 듣다 → 들을 법하다 = likely to hear/listen
    • 걷다 → 걸을 법하다 = likely to walk
  • ㄹ stems do not add extra 을:
    • ✅ 만들 법해요
    • ❌ 만들을 법해요
  • Nouns need 일:
    • ✅ 사실일 법해요
    • ❌ 사실 법해요
✍️
Spacing note
 
Write 법하다 separately after the modifier:
  • ✅ 그럴 법해요
  • ✅ 믿을 법한 이야기
  • ✅ 도착했을 법해요
  • ❌ 그럴법해요
 

📚 Cross-check note

The formation and usage here were cross-checked against National Institute of Korean Language resources at korean.go.kr, including the use of 법하다 after adnominal forms such as -(으)ㄹ. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)ㄹ 법하다 = reasonable/plausible/likely based on grounds; thoughtful and often written.
  • -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 = seems / I think; more neutral and conversational.
  • -(으)ㄹ 듯하다 = appears/seems likely; polished, softer, often written.
  • -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다 = must / no doubt; much stronger certainty.
  • -(으)ㄹ 게 뻔하다 = it is obvious/predictable, often negative or critical.
  • -(으)ㄹ 리가 없다 = there is no way; strong denial of possibility.
  • -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 = have no choice but to; inevitability because alternatives are blocked.
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Translating -(으)ㄹ 법하다 as “bound to be” every time → ✅ translate by context: “likely,” “plausible,” “reasonable,” or “understandable.”
  • ❌ 비싸는 법해요 → ✅ 비쌀 법해요. Adjectives use the modifier form -(으)ㄹ, not -는.
  • ❌ 만들을 법해요 → ✅ 만들 법해요. ㄹ-ending stems keep ㄹ.
  • ❌ 사실 법해요 → ✅ 사실일 법해요. Nouns need 일.
  • ❌ Using it when you mean “no choice but to” → ✅ use -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다.
 
⚖️ Bottom line: -(으)ㄹ 법하다 is not just “maybe.” It is maybe with receipts — a likelihood that makes sense because the situation points that way. 🧾
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each sentence with the most natural -(으)ㄹ 법하다 form. Read the Korean aloud, check whether the reason supports the guess, then open the Answer toggle.
1. 이제 답장이 ＿＿＿＿.
[i-je dap-jang-i ＿＿＿＿]
By now, a reply is likely to come. ✉️
Answer
올 법해요 — 오다 ends in a vowel, so 오- + ㄹ 법해요 → 올 법해요.
2. 설명이 부족하면 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i bu-jo-ka-myeon sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿]
If the explanation is insufficient, people might understandably misunderstand. 🧩
Answer
오해할 법해요 — 오해하다 uses 할 법해요.
3. 그 식당은 가격이 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu sik-dang-eun ga-gyeo-gi ＿＿＿＿]
That restaurant is likely to be expensive. 🍽️
Answer
비쌀 법해요 — 비싸다 → 비쌀 법해요.
4. 그 이야기는 ＿＿＿＿ 이야기예요.
[geu i-ya-gi-neun ＿＿＿＿ i-ya-gi-ye-yo]
That story is a believable story. 📖
Answer
믿을 법한 — before a noun, use the modifier form 법한.
5. 그건 단순한 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu-geon dan-sun-han ＿＿＿＿]
That could reasonably be a simple mistake. 🔍
Answer
실수일 법해요 — nouns need 일 법해요.
6. 밤새 일했으니까 ＿＿＿＿.
[bam-sae il-hae-sseu-ni-kka ＿＿＿＿]
They worked all night, so it was likely hard. 🌙
Answer
힘들었을 법해요 — past plausibility uses -았/었을 법해요.
7. 날씨가 추우면 길을 ＿＿＿＿.
[nal-ssi-ga chu-u-myeon gi-reul ＿＿＿＿]
If the weather is cold, walking outside would likely be hard. 🧥
Answer
걷기 어려울 법해요 — 어렵다 is ㅂ-irregular: 어려울 법해요.
8. 회의가 길면 질문이 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-ga gil-myeon jil-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
If the meeting is long, questions are likely to come up. 🙋
Answer
나올 법해요 — 나오다 → 나올 법해요.
9. 그 소식은 사실이 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu so-si-geun sa-si-ri ＿＿＿＿]
That news could plausibly be true. 📰
Answer
사실일 법해요 — 사실 is a noun, so use 일 법해요.
10. 이 정도면 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
[i jeong-do-myeon sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿]
At this level, people are likely to believe it. 🧠
Answer
믿을 법해요 — 믿다 ends in a consonant, so 믿을 법해요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 이제 → now; by now
  • 답장 → reply
  • 오다 → to come
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 부족하다 → to be insufficient
  • 오해하다 → to misunderstand
  • 식당 → restaurant
  • 가격 → price
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 이야기 → story
  • 믿다 → to believe
  • 실수 → mistake
  • 밤새 → all night
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 힘들다 → to be hard/tiring
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 나오다 → to come out; to appear
  • 사실 → fact; truth
Tips 💡
  • Evidence first, 법하다 second.
  • Noun + 일 법하다.
  • Past guess + -았/었을 법하다.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub is ready when your plausibility radar wants a workout. ⚖️
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Bound to be: -(으)ㄹ 법하다
 
Welcome to the advanced plausibility gym. ⚖️ Here you’ll practice using -(으)ㄹ 법하다 when the evidence makes a guess feel reasonable, not merely random. Expect careful contrasts, past forms, modifier forms, and pitfall patrol — grammar goggles on. 👓
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear the rhythm of a completed sentence.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each Korean sentence with the best -(으)ㄹ 법하다 form. Say the full sentence aloud, check whether the reason supports the guess, then open the Answer toggle.
 

Exercise 1 — Formation Radar 🔧

A. 답장이 ＿＿＿＿.
[dap-jang-i ＿＿＿＿]
A reply is likely to come. ✉️
Answer
올 법해요 — 오다 → 올 법해요.
B. 그 식당은 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu sik-dang-eun ＿＿＿＿]
That restaurant is likely to be expensive. 🍽️
Answer
비쌀 법해요 — 비싸다 → 비쌀 법해요.
C. 사람이 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-ram-i ＿＿＿＿]
There are likely to be many people. 👥
Answer
많을 법해요 — 많다 ends in a consonant, so add 을 법해요.
D. 이 문제는 ＿＿＿＿.
[i mun-je-neun ＿＿＿＿]
This problem is likely to be complicated. 🧶
Answer
복잡할 법해요 — 복잡하다 → 복잡할 법해요.
E. 그 이야기를 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu i-ya-gi-reul sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿]
People are likely to believe that story. 📖
Answer
믿을 법해요 — 믿다 → 믿을 법해요.
F. 문제가 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿]
A problem is likely to happen. ⚠️
Answer
일어날 법해요 — 일어나다 → 일어날 법해요.
G. 질문이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jil-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
A question is likely to come up. 🙋
Answer
나올 법해요 — 나오다 → 나올 법해요.
H. 이건 실수＿＿＿＿.
[i-geon sil-su ＿＿＿＿]
This could reasonably be a mistake. 🔍
Answer
일 법해요 — nouns need 일 법해요.
I. 그건 사실＿＿＿＿.
[geu-geon sa-sil ＿＿＿＿]
That could plausibly be true. 📰
Answer
일 법해요 — 사실일 법해요.
J. ㄹ 받침 동사는 만들 ＿＿＿＿.
[rieul batchim dong-sa-neun man-deul ＿＿＿＿]
For an ㄹ-final verb, “make” is likely to use 만들 법하다. 🛠️
Answer
법해요 — 만들다 → 만들 법해요, not 만들을 법해요.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 답장 → reply
  • 오다 → to come
  • 식당 → restaurant
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 사람 → person; people
  • 많다 → to be many/much
  • 문제 → problem
  • 복잡하다 → to be complicated
  • 이야기 → story
  • 믿다 → to believe
  • 일어나다 → to happen
  • 질문 → question
  • 나오다 → to appear; come out
  • 실수 → mistake
  • 사실 → fact; truth
  • 만들다 → to make
Tip 💡 Vowel stem takes ㄹ; consonant stem takes 을; noun takes 일.
 

Exercise 2 — Evidence-Based Guesses 🔎

A. 이제 시간이 됐으니까 답장이 ＿＿＿＿.
[i-je si-ga-ni dwae-sseu-ni-kka dap-jang-i ＿＿＿＿]
Now that enough time has passed, a reply is likely to come. ⏰
Answer
올 법해요 — The time evidence supports the guess.
B. 설명이 부족해서 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i bu-jo-kae-seo sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿]
The explanation is insufficient, so people might misunderstand. 🧩
Answer
오해할 법해요 — Insufficient explanation makes misunderstanding plausible.
C. 자료가 많아서 이야기가 ＿＿＿＿.
[ja-ryo-ga ma-na-seo i-ya-gi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
There is a lot of material, so the story is believable. 📚
Answer
믿을 법해요 — Evidence makes belief reasonable.
D. 가격이 높으면 손님이 ＿＿＿＿.
[ga-gyeo-gi no-peu-myeon son-ni-mi ＿＿＿＿]
If the price is high, customers are likely to hesitate. 💳
Answer
망설일 법해요 — High price gives a reason for hesitation.
E. 계획이 바뀌면 일정이 ＿＿＿＿.
[gye-hoe-gi ba-kkwi-myeon il-jeong-i ＿＿＿＿]
If the plan changes, the schedule is likely to be complicated. 🗓️
Answer
복잡할 법해요 — A changed plan can reasonably complicate the schedule.
F. 밤새 일하면 몸이 ＿＿＿＿.
[bam-sae il-ha-myeon mo-mi ＿＿＿＿]
If someone works all night, the body is likely to be tired. 🌙
Answer
힘들 법해요 — The cause makes the state understandable.
G. 회의가 길면 질문이 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-ga gil-myeon jil-mu-ni ＿＿＿＿]
If the meeting is long, questions are likely to come up. 🗣️
Answer
나올 법해요 — A long meeting naturally invites questions.
H. 날씨가 추우면 밖에서 걷기 ＿＿＿＿.
[nal-ssi-ga chu-u-myeon ba-kke-seo geot-gi ＿＿＿＿]
If the weather is cold, walking outside is likely to be difficult. ❄️
Answer
어려울 법해요 — 어렵다 → 어려울 is ㅂ-irregular.
I. 소문이 너무 자세하면 사실＿＿＿＿.
[so-mu-ni neo-mu ja-se-ha-myeon sa-sil ＿＿＿＿]
If the rumor is very detailed, it could plausibly be true. 📰
Answer
일 법해요 — 사실일 법해요.
J. 문장이 길면 실수가 ＿＿＿＿.
[mun-jang-i gil-myeon sil-su-ga ＿＿＿＿]
If the sentence is long, a mistake is likely to happen. ✍️
Answer
일어날 법해요 — Long sentences make mistakes plausible.
🔎
Vocabulary Box
  • 이제 → now; by now
  • 시간 → time
  • 설명 → explanation
  • 부족하다 → to be insufficient
  • 자료 → material; data
  • 가격 → price
  • 높다 → to be high
  • 손님 → customer; guest
  • 망설이다 → to hesitate
  • 계획 → plan
  • 바뀌다 → to change
  • 일정 → schedule
  • 밤새 → all night
  • 몸 → body
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 날씨 → weather
  • 춥다 → to be cold
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 자세하다 → to be detailed
  • 문장 → sentence
Tip 💡 This pattern shines when a clear reason points to a likely outcome.
 

Exercise 3 — Modifier Forms + Past Plausibility ⏳

A. 그건 ＿＿＿＿ 이야기예요.
[geu-geon ＿＿＿＿ i-ya-gi-ye-yo]
That is a believable story. 📖
Answer
믿을 법한 — Before a noun, use 법한.
B. 이건 ＿＿＿＿ 문제예요.
[i-geon ＿＿＿＿ mun-je-ye-yo]
This is a problem that could happen. ⚠️
Answer
일어날 법한 — 일어나다 → 일어날 법한.
C. 그건 회의에서 ＿＿＿＿ 질문이에요.
[geu-geon hoe-ui-e-seo ＿＿＿＿ jil-mu-ni-e-yo]
That is a question likely to come up in the meeting. 🙋
Answer
나올 법한 — 나오다 → 나올 법한.
D. 너무 바빴으니까 답장을 ＿＿＿＿.
[neo-mu ba-ppa-sseu-ni-kka dap-jang-eul ＿＿＿＿]
They were so busy, so they likely forgot the reply. 📬
Answer
잊어버렸을 법해요 — Past plausibility: 잊어버리다 → 잊어버렸을 법해요.
E. 설명이 짧았으니까 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
[seol-myeong-i jjal-ba-sseu-ni-kka sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿]
The explanation was short, so people likely misunderstood. 🧠
Answer
오해했을 법해요 — 오해하다 → 오해했을 법해요.
F. 밤새 일했으니까 많이 ＿＿＿＿.
[bam-sae il-hae-sseu-ni-kka ma-ni ＿＿＿＿]
They worked all night, so it was likely very hard. 🌙
Answer
힘들었을 법해요 — 힘들다 → 힘들었을 법해요.
G. 이미 시간이 지났으니까 도착＿＿＿＿.
[i-mi si-ga-ni ji-na-sseu-ni-kka do-chaek ＿＿＿＿]
Time has already passed, so they likely arrived. 🚉
Answer
했을 법해요 — 도착하다 → 도착했을 법해요.
H. 그 뉴스는 사실＿＿＿＿.
[geu nyu-seu-neun sa-sil ＿＿＿＿]
That news could reasonably have been true. 📰
Answer
이었을 법해요 — Past noun plausibility: 사실이었을 법해요.
I. 그 소문은 단순한 실수＿＿＿＿.
[geu so-mu-neun dan-sun-han sil-su ＿＿＿＿]
That rumor could reasonably have been a simple mistake. 🔍
Answer
였을 법해요 — 실수였을 법해요.
J. 그건 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿ 반응이에요.
[geu-geon sa-ram-deu-ri ＿＿＿＿ ban-eung-i-e-yo]
That is a reaction people might understandably show. 😮
Answer
보일 법한 — 보이다 → 보일 법한.
⏳
Vocabulary Box
  • 법한 → likely/reasonable before a noun
  • 믿다 → to believe
  • 일어나다 → to happen
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 나오다 → to come up; appear
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 잊어버리다 → to forget
  • 짧다 → to be short
  • 오해하다 → to misunderstand
  • 도착하다 → to arrive
  • 이미 → already
  • 지나다 → to pass
  • 뉴스 → news
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 반응 → reaction
  • 보이다 → to show; be seen
Tip 💡 법한 modifies nouns; -았/었을 법하다 looks back into the past.
 

Exercise 4 — Nuance Switchboard 🧭

A. 근거가 있어서 그럴 ＿＿＿＿.
[geun-geo-ga i-sseo-seo geu-reol ＿＿＿＿]
There is evidence, so that sounds plausible. 🧾
Answer
법해요 — 그럴 법해요 means “that sounds reasonable/plausible.”
B. 대안이 없어서 갈 수＿＿＿＿.
[dae-a-ni eop-seo-seo gal su ＿＿＿＿]
There is no alternative, so there is no choice but to go. 🚪
Answer
밖에 없어요 — This is 수밖에 없다, not 법하다.
C. 확실해서 맞을 게 ＿＿＿＿.
[hwak-si-rae-seo ma-jeul ge ＿＿＿＿]
It is certain, so it must be right. ✅
Answer
틀림없어요 — Strong certainty uses 틀림없다.
D. 근거가 약하면 그럴 것 ＿＿＿＿.
[geun-geo-ga ya-ka-myeon geu-reol geot ＿＿＿＿]
If the evidence is weak, “I think so” may be safer. 🪶
Answer
같아요 — 것 같아요 is softer and more conversational.
E. 결과가 나쁘면 실패할 게 ＿＿＿＿.
[gyeol-gwa-ga na-ppeu-myeon sil-pae-hal ge ＿＿＿＿]
If the result is bad and predictable, it is obvious it will fail. 📉
Answer
뻔해요 — 게 뻔하다 often sounds obvious or critical.
F. 가능성이 전혀 없으면 그럴 리가 ＿＿＿＿.
[ga-neung-seong-i jeon-hyeo eop-seu-myeon geu-reol ri-ga ＿＿＿＿]
If there is no possibility at all, there is no way that is true. 🚫
Answer
없어요 — 리가 없다 strongly denies possibility.
G. 상황상 이해할 ＿＿＿＿.
[sang-hwang-sang i-hae-hal ＿＿＿＿]
Considering the situation, it is understandable. 🤝
Answer
법해요 — Situation-based understandability is perfect for 법하다.
H. 그 표현은 글에서 나올 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu pyo-hyeo-neun geu-re-seo na-ol ＿＿＿＿]
That expression is likely to appear in writing. 📝
Answer
법해요 — Register expectation can support 법하다.
I. 너무 단정하면 법하다보다 틀림없다가 ＿＿＿＿.
[neo-mu dan-jeong-ha-myeon beo-pa-da-bo-da teul-lim-eop-tta-ga ＿＿＿＿]
If it is too certain, “틀림없다” fits better than “법하다.” 🎯
Answer
나을 법해요 — The choice is reasonable given the certainty.
J. 말투가 조심스러우면 듯하다가 ＿＿＿＿.
[mal-tu-ga jo-sim-seu-reo-u-myeon deut-ha-da-ga ＿＿＿＿]
If the tone is cautious, “듯하다” may be better. 🌫️
Answer
나을 법해요 — 듯하다 can be softer and more polished.
🧭
Vocabulary Box
  • 근거 → evidence; grounds
  • 대안 → alternative
  • 없다 → to not exist
  • 확실하다 → to be certain
  • 맞다 → to be right
  • 약하다 → to be weak
  • 결과 → result
  • 나쁘다 → to be bad
  • 실패하다 → to fail
  • 가능성 → possibility
  • 전혀 → not at all
  • 상황상 → considering the situation
  • 이해하다 → to understand
  • 표현 → expression
  • 글 → writing; text
  • 나오다 → to appear
  • 단정하다 → to be definite
  • 말투 → tone of speech
  • 조심스럽다 → to be cautious
  • 낫다 → to be better
Tip 💡 법하다 is reasonable likelihood; 수밖에 없다 is no alternative; 틀림없다 is strong certainty.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. 비싸는 법해요 → 비쌀 ＿＿＿＿.
[bi-ssa-neun beo-pae-yo → bi-ssal ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the adjective modifier form. 💸
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 비싸는 법해요 → ✅ 비쌀 법해요. Adjectives use -(으)ㄹ here.
B. 만들을 법해요 → 만들 ＿＿＿＿.
[man-deu-reul beo-pae-yo → man-deul ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the ㄹ-stem form. 🛠️
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 만들을 법해요 → ✅ 만들 법해요. ㄹ stems keep ㄹ.
C. 사실 법해요 → 사실일 ＿＿＿＿.
[sa-sil beo-pae-yo → sa-si-ril ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the noun form. 📰
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 사실 법해요 → ✅ 사실일 법해요. Nouns need 일.
D. 그럴법해요 → 그럴 ＿＿＿＿.
[geu-reol-beo-pae-yo → geu-reol ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the spacing. ✍️
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 그럴법해요 → ✅ 그럴 법해요. Write 법하다 separately.
E. 오해할 수밖에 없어요 → 오해할 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-hae-hal su-ba-kke eop-seo-yo → o-hae-hal ＿＿＿＿]
Change “no choice but to misunderstand” into “might reasonably misunderstand.” 🧩
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 수밖에 없다 is forced necessity; ✅ 오해할 법해요 is reasonable possibility.
F. 믿을 법하다 이야기 → 믿을 ＿＿＿＿ 이야기.
[mi-deul beo-pa-da i-ya-gi → mi-deul ＿＿＿＿ i-ya-gi]
Fix the noun-modifier shape. 📖
Answer
법한 — ❌ 믿을 법하다 이야기 → ✅ 믿을 법한 이야기.
G. 어렵을 법해요 → 어려울 ＿＿＿＿.
[eo-ryeop-eul beo-pae-yo → eo-ryeo-ul ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the ㅂ-irregular adjective. 🧗
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 어렵을 법해요 → ✅ 어려울 법해요.
H. 듣을 법해요 → 들을 ＿＿＿＿.
[deud-eul beo-pae-yo → deu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the ㄷ-irregular verb. 👂
Answer
법해요 — ❌ 듣을 법해요 → ✅ 들을 법해요.
I. 소문이 사실일 게 틀림없어요 → 소문이 사실일 ＿＿＿＿.
[so-mu-ni sa-si-ril ge teul-lim-eop-seo-yo → so-mu-ni sa-si-ril ＿＿＿＿]
Soften “must be true” into “could plausibly be true.” 📰
Answer
법해요 — 틀림없다 is stronger certainty; 법하다 is reasoned plausibility.
J. 그럴 법해요 means evidence makes it ＿＿＿＿.
[geu-reol beo-pae-yo]
Complete the meaning check in English. ⚖️
Answer
plausible / reasonable / likely — not automatically “bound to happen.”
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 사실 → fact; truth
  • 그렇다 → to be so
  • 오해하다 → to misunderstand
  • 믿다 → to believe
  • 이야기 → story
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 듣다 → to hear/listen
  • 소문 → rumor
  • 틀림없다 → to be certain; no doubt
  • 수밖에 없다 → to have no choice but to
Tip 💡 Final patrol: 법하다 needs the right modifier, correct spacing, and a reason that makes the guess plausible.
 
🎉 You finished the advanced -(으)ㄹ 법하다 set. Now you can separate “reasonable likelihood” from “no choice,” “strong certainty,” and “soft guessing” — tiny nuance, big upgrade. ⚖️✨