⚖️

Moral Obligation: -아야/어야 마땅하다

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⚖️
TL;DR 🦄
  • ⚖️ -아야/어야 마땅하다 [-a-ya/eo-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] means ought to / should rightfully / it is only proper to do something.
  • 🧭 It is stronger and more formal than everyday -아/어야 하다 [-a/eo-ya ha-da] = must / have to; it adds a moral, social, or logical judgment.
  • 📜 Use it carefully in essays, opinions, rules, and public statements. It can sound stern if you use it for tiny everyday preferences.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson to hear it read aloud. Try 사과해야 마땅하다 [sa-gwa-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da], 존중해야 마땅하다 [jon-jung-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da], and 책임을 져야 마땅하다 [chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya ma-ttang-ha-da]. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-아야/어야 마땅하다 is the grammar of rightful obligation. It does not just say “you have to.” It says: “Given ethics, reason, fairness, or social expectation, this is the proper thing to do.” ⚖️
 
Compare the strength:
  • 사과해야 해요. [sa-gwa-hae-ya hae-yo] = You have to apologize. 🙇
  • 사과해야 마땅해요. [sa-gwa-hae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo] = It is only right/proper that you apologize. ⚖️
 
That second sentence sounds more evaluative. The speaker is not simply reporting a requirement; the speaker is judging what is deserved, proper, or morally appropriate.
 
You will often see this pattern with words like 책임 [chae-gim] = responsibility, 존중하다 [jon-jung-ha-da] = to respect, 보호하다 [bo-ho-ha-da] = to protect, 인정하다 [in-jeong-ha-da] = to acknowledge, 비판받다 [bi-pan-bat-tta] = to be criticized, and 처벌받다 [cheo-beol-bat-tta] = to be punished. 📜
 

🎨 The Core 마땅하다 Family

Main pattern
  • 동사 + 아야/어야 마땅하다 = ought to / should rightfully / it is proper to do
 
Common polite and formal forms
  • -아야/어야 마땅해요 [-a-ya/eo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo] = it is only right/proper to
  • -아야/어야 마땅합니다 [-a-ya/eo-ya ma-ttang-ham-ni-da] = it is only right/proper to, formal
  • -아야/어야 마땅했다 [-a-ya/eo-ya ma-ttang-haet-tta] = should have / was only proper to
 
Useful advanced obligation words
  • 사과하다 [sa-gwa-ha-da] = to apologize 🙇 → 사과해야 마땅하다 [sa-gwa-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to apologize
  • 존중하다 [jon-jung-ha-da] = to respect 🤝 → 존중해야 마땅하다 [jon-jung-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to respect
  • 보호하다 [bo-ho-ha-da] = to protect 🛡️ → 보호해야 마땅하다 [bo-ho-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to protect
  • 인정하다 [in-jeong-ha-da] = to acknowledge ✅ → 인정해야 마땅하다 [in-jeong-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to acknowledge
  • 책임을 지다 [chae-gi-meul ji-da] = to take responsibility 📌 → 책임을 져야 마땅하다 [chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to take responsibility
  • 비판받다 [bi-pan-bat-tta] = to be criticized 🗣️ → 비판받아야 마땅하다 [bi-pan-ba-da-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = deserves to be criticized
  • 처벌받다 [cheo-beol-bat-tta] = to be punished 🚨 → 처벌받아야 마땅하다 [cheo-beol-ba-da-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = deserves to be punished
 
Tone note
  • With positive duties, it means “ought to / should rightfully”: 약자를 보호해야 마땅하다 = We ought to protect the vulnerable. 🛡️
  • With negative consequences, it often means “deserves to”: 비판받아야 마땅하다 = deserves to be criticized. 🗣️
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Ethical responsibility
  • 공직자는 시민의 권리를 존중해야 마땅합니다.
      • [gong-jik-jja-neun si-mi-ne gwol-li-reul jon-jung-hae-ya ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
      Public officials ought to respect citizens’ rights. 🏛️
      공직자 = public official, 시민의 권리 = citizens’ rights, 존중하다 = to respect.
 
2. Responsibility after harm
  • 잘못을 한 사람은 책임을 져야 마땅해요.
      • [jal-mo-seul han sa-ra-meun chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
      A person who did wrong ought to take responsibility. 📌
      잘못 = wrongdoing, 책임을 지다 = to take responsibility.
 
3. Deserved criticism
  • 근거 없는 주장은 비판받아야 마땅합니다.
      • [geun-geo eom-neun ju-jang-eun bi-pan-ba-da-ya ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
      A claim without evidence deserves to be criticized. 📄
      근거 없는 = without evidence, 주장 = claim, 비판받다 = to be criticized.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Attach 아야/어야 to the verb, then add 마땅하다.
 
  • 하다 verbs → 해야 마땅하다
      • 사과하다 → 사과해야 마땅하다 [sa-gwa-ha-da → sa-gwa-hae-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to apologize
  • 받다 verbs → 받아야 마땅하다
      • 비판받다 → 비판받아야 마땅하다 [bi-pan-bat-tta → bi-pan-ba-da-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = deserves to be criticized
  • 지다 in 책임을 지다 → 져야 마땅하다
      • 책임을 지다 → 책임을 져야 마땅하다 [chae-gi-meul ji-da → chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = ought to take responsibility
  • 알다 → 알아야 마땅하다
      • 국민은 사실을 알아야 마땅하다 [gung-mi-neun sa-si-reul a-ra-ya ma-ttang-ha-da] = citizens ought to know the facts
 

📚 Cross-check note

The meaning of 마땅하다 and 당위 was cross-checked with 국립국어원 / korean.go.kr: 당위 is “what ought to be done or become so,” and 마땅히 means “rightly/properly according to reason.” ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -아/어야 하다 = must / have to; general requirement ✅
  • -아/어야 마땅하다 = ought to / should rightfully; moral, social, or logical judgment ⚖️
  • 당연하다 = to be natural / obvious / expected 🌿
  • 정당하다 = to be legitimate / justified 📜
  • 옳다 = to be right / correct ✅
 
Quick distinction:
  • 회의에 참석해야 해요. = I have to attend the meeting. 🗓️
  • 피해자에게 사과해야 마땅해요. = It is only right to apologize to the victim. 🙇
  • 그 비판은 정당해요. = That criticism is justified. 📜
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 커피를 마셔야 마땅해요 → ✅ 커피를 마셔야 해요 — coffee is not usually a moral duty. ☕
  • ❌ 숙제를 해야 마땅합니다 for a small casual reminder → ✅ 숙제를 해야 해요 — 마땅하다 can sound stern. 📚
  • ❌ 사과하다야 마땅해요 → ✅ 사과해야 마땅해요 — use the 아/어야 form, not dictionary 다. 🙇
  • ❌ 책임을 지어야 마땅해요 → ✅ 책임을 져야 마땅해요 — 지다 becomes 져야. 📌
  • ❌ Using it to boss friends around casually → ✅ Save it for moral judgment, formal argument, public responsibility, or deserved consequence. ⚖️
 
⚖️ Bottom line: -아야/어야 마땅하다 is not just “must.” It is “this is the rightful thing to do.” Use it when the sentence carries ethical weight, public responsibility, or deserved consequence. 🧭
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each sentence with the correct 아야/어야 form before 마땅하다. Read the situation first: this pattern should feel like a rightful duty or deserved result, not a casual chore.
1. 잘못한 사람은 피해자에게 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[jal-mo-tan sa-ra-meun pi-hae-ja-e-ge ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
A person who did wrong ought to apologize to the victim. 🙇
Answer
사과해야 [sa-gwa-hae-ya] — 사과하다 → 사과해야 마땅해요.
2. 공직자는 시민의 권리를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gong-jik-jja-neun si-mi-ne gwol-li-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
Public officials ought to respect citizens’ rights. 🏛️
Answer
존중해야 [jon-jung-hae-ya] — 존중하다 → 존중해야 마땅합니다.
3. 회사는 개인정보를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[hoe-sa-neun gae-in-jeong-bo-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A company ought to protect personal information. 🔐
Answer
보호해야 [bo-ho-hae-ya] — 보호하다 → 보호해야 마땅합니다.
4. 근거 없는 주장은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[geun-geo eom-neun ju-jang-eun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A claim without evidence deserves to be criticized. 📄
Answer
비판받아야 [bi-pan-ba-da-ya] — 비판받다 → 비판받아야 마땅합니다.
5. 규칙을 어긴 사람은 책임을 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[gyu-chi-geul eo-gin sa-ra-meun chae-gi-meul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
A person who broke the rule ought to take responsibility. 📌
Answer
져야 [jyeo-ya] — 책임을 지다 → 책임을 져야 마땅해요.
6. 정부는 시민에게 사실을 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[jeong-bu-neun si-mi-ne-ge sa-si-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
The government ought to tell citizens the facts. 🏛️
Answer
알려야 [al-lyeo-ya] — 알리다 → 알려야 마땅합니다.
7. 약속을 깬 사람은 이유를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[yak-sso-geul kkaen sa-ra-meun i-yu-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
A person who broke a promise ought to explain the reason. 🤝
Answer
설명해야 [seol-myeong-hae-ya] — 설명하다 → 설명해야 마땅해요.
8. 폭력을 쓴 사람은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[pong-nyeo-geul sseun sa-ra-meun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A person who used violence deserves to be punished. 🚨
Answer
처벌받아야 [cheo-beol-ba-da-ya] — 처벌받다 → 처벌받아야 마땅합니다.
9. 도움을 받은 사람은 고마움을 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[do-u-meul ba-deun sa-ra-meun go-ma-u-meul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
A person who received help ought to express gratitude. 🙏
Answer
표해야 [pyo-hae-ya] — 고마움을 표하다 → 고마움을 표해야 마땅해요.
10. 좋은 결과는 모두가 함께 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[jo-eun gyeol-gwa-neun mo-du-ga ham-kke ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
A good result ought to be shared by everyone together. 🎉
Answer
나누어야 [na-nu-eo-ya] — 나누다 → 나누어야 마땅해요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 잘못하다 → to do wrong
  • 피해자 → victim
  • 사과하다 → to apologize
  • 공직자 → public official
  • 시민 → citizen
  • 권리 → right
  • 존중하다 → to respect
  • 회사 → company
  • 개인정보 → personal information
  • 보호하다 → to protect
  • 근거 없는 → without evidence
  • 주장 → claim
  • 비판받다 → to be criticized
  • 규칙 → rule
  • 어기다 → to break
  • 책임을 지다 → to take responsibility
  • 정부 → government
  • 사실 → fact
  • 알리다 → to tell / notify
  • 약속 → promise
  • 이유 → reason
  • 설명하다 → to explain
  • 폭력 → violence
  • 처벌받다 → to be punished
  • 도움 → help
  • 고마움 → gratitude
  • 표하다 → to express
  • 결과 → result
  • 나누다 → to share
Tip 💡 If the sentence feels like fairness, duty, or deserved consequence, 마땅하다 belongs.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below sharpens formal duty, moral judgment, deserved consequences, and tone control. ⚖️
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Moral Obligation: -아야/어야 마땅하다
 
Welcome to the “grammar with a tiny judge’s gavel” zone. ⚖️ This Practice Hub trains you to use -아야/어야 마땅하다 for rightful duty, fair judgment, and deserved consequences — without accidentally making “I should drink coffee” sound like a constitutional crisis. ☕
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence before checking the answer.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, choose the better sentence, or repair the error. Read the whole situation first and decide whether the sentence expresses moral duty, public responsibility, justified criticism, or an ordinary requirement.
 

Exercise 1 — Build the Rightful Duty Form 🔧

A. 사과하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[sa-gwa-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to apologize → ought to apologize 🙇
Answer
사과해야 — 하다 → 해야.
B. 존중하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[jon-jung-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to respect → ought to respect 🤝
Answer
존중해야 — 하다 → 해야.
C. 보호하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[bo-ho-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to protect → ought to protect 🛡️
Answer
보호해야 — 하다 → 해야.
D. 인정하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[in-jeong-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to acknowledge → ought to acknowledge ✅
Answer
인정해야 — 하다 → 해야.
E. 설명하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[seol-myeong-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to explain → ought to explain 🗣️
Answer
설명해야 — 하다 → 해야.
F. 알리다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[al-li-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to inform → ought to inform 📢
Answer
알려야 — 알리다 → 알려야.
G. 지다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[ji-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to take / bear → ought to take / bear 📌
Answer
져야 — 지다 → 져야.
H. 나누다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[na-nu-da → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to share → ought to share 🎁
Answer
나누어야 — 나누다 → 나누어야.
I. 비판받다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[bi-pan-bat-tta → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to be criticized → deserves to be criticized 🗣️
Answer
비판받아야 — 받다 → 받아야.
J. 처벌받다 → ＿＿＿＿ 마땅하다
[cheo-beol-bat-tta → ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ha-da]
to be punished → deserves to be punished 🚨
Answer
처벌받아야 — 받다 → 받아야.
🔧
Vocabulary Box
  • 사과하다 → to apologize
  • 존중하다 → to respect
  • 보호하다 → to protect
  • 인정하다 → to acknowledge
  • 설명하다 → to explain
  • 알리다 → to inform
  • 지다 → to bear / take
  • 나누다 → to share
  • 비판받다 → to be criticized
  • 처벌받다 → to be punished
  • 마땅하다 → to be proper / rightful
Tip 💡 Most 하다 verbs become 해야, but 알리다 becomes 알려야 and 지다 becomes 져야.
 

Exercise 2 — Public Responsibility and Ethics 🏛️

A. 공직자는 시민의 권리를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gong-jik-jja-neun si-mi-ne gwol-li-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
Public officials ought to respect citizens’ rights. 🏛️
Answer
존중해야 — public duty + rights makes 마땅하다 natural.
B. 회사는 개인정보를 안전하게 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[hoe-sa-neun gae-in-jeong-bo-reul an-jeon-ha-ge ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A company ought to protect personal information safely. 🔐
Answer
보호해야 — 보호하다 → 보호해야.
C. 정부는 중요한 사실을 시민에게 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[jeong-bu-neun jung-yo-han sa-si-reul si-mi-ne-ge ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
The government ought to inform citizens of important facts. 📢
Answer
알려야 — 알리다 → 알려야.
D. 언론은 오류를 공개적으로 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[eol-lo-neun o-ryu-reul gong-gae-jeo-geu-ro ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
The media ought to acknowledge errors publicly. 📰
Answer
인정해야 — 인정하다 → 인정해야.
E. 학교는 학생의 안전을 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[hak-kkyo-neun hak-ssaeng-ui an-jeo-neul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A school ought to protect students’ safety. 🏫
Answer
보호해야 — institution + safety = rightful duty.
F. 지도자는 결정의 이유를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[ji-do-ja-neun gyeol-jeong-ui i-yu-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A leader ought to explain the reason for a decision. 🧭
Answer
설명해야 — 설명하다 → 설명해야.
G. 사회는 약자를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[sa-hoe-neun yak-jja-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
Society ought to protect the vulnerable. 🛡️
Answer
보호해야 — ethical duty is the heart of this pattern.
H. 법은 모든 사람에게 공정하게 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[beo-beun mo-deun sa-ra-me-ge gong-jeong-ha-ge ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
The law ought to apply fairly to everyone. 📜
Answer
적용되어야 — 적용되다 → 적용되어야.
I. 기관은 피해 사실을 숨기지 않고 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gi-gwa-neun pi-hae sa-si-reul sum-gi-ji an-ko ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
An institution ought to reveal the harm without hiding it. 🧾
Answer
밝혀야 — 밝히다 → 밝혀야.
J. 공동체는 성과를 함께 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gong-dong-che-neun seong-gwa-reul ham-kke ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A community ought to share achievements together. 🎉
Answer
나누어야 — 나누다 → 나누어야.
🏛️
Vocabulary Box
  • 공직자 → public official
  • 시민 → citizen
  • 권리 → right
  • 존중하다 → to respect
  • 회사 → company
  • 개인정보 → personal information
  • 안전하게 → safely
  • 보호하다 → to protect
  • 정부 → government
  • 중요하다 → to be important
  • 사실 → fact
  • 알리다 → to inform
  • 언론 → media
  • 오류 → error
  • 공개적으로 → publicly
  • 인정하다 → to acknowledge
  • 학교 → school
  • 학생 → student
  • 안전 → safety
  • 지도자 → leader
  • 결정 → decision
  • 이유 → reason
  • 설명하다 → to explain
  • 사회 → society
  • 약자 → vulnerable person
  • 법 → law
  • 모든 사람 → everyone
  • 공정하게 → fairly
  • 적용되다 → to apply
  • 기관 → institution
  • 피해 사실 → fact of harm
  • 숨기다 → to hide
  • 밝히다 → to reveal
  • 공동체 → community
  • 성과 → achievement
  • 함께 → together
  • 나누다 → to share
Tip 💡 Public responsibility pairs naturally with formal 마땅합니다.
 

Exercise 3 — Deserved Consequences 🚨

A. 근거 없는 주장은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[geun-geo eom-neun ju-jang-eun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A claim without evidence deserves to be criticized. 📄
Answer
비판받아야 — negative consequence: “deserves to be criticized.”
B. 폭력을 쓴 사람은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[pong-nyeo-geul sseun sa-ra-meun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A person who used violence deserves to be punished. 🚨
Answer
처벌받아야 — 처벌받다 → 처벌받아야.
C. 거짓말을 한 대표는 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[geo-jin-ma-reul han dae-pyo-neun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A representative who lied deserves to be criticized. 🗣️
Answer
비판받아야 — public lying invites justified criticism.
D. 규칙을 반복해서 어긴 팀은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gyu-chi-geul ban-bo-kae-seo eo-gin ti-meun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A team that repeatedly broke rules deserves to be punished. 🏟️
Answer
처벌받아야 — repeated rule-breaking strengthens the judgment.
E. 차별적 발언은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[cha-byeol-jeok ba-reo-neun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
Discriminatory remarks deserve to be criticized. 🚫
Answer
비판받아야 — speech can receive justified criticism.
F. 공금을 훔친 직원은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[gong-geu-meul hum-chin ji-go-neun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
An employee who stole public funds deserves to be punished. 💸
Answer
처벌받아야 — serious wrongdoing → deserved punishment.
G. 자료를 조작한 연구자는 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[ja-ryo-reul jo-ja-kan yeon-gu-ja-neun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A researcher who manipulated data deserves to be criticized. 🔬
Answer
비판받아야 — data manipulation deserves criticism.
H. 안전을 무시한 회사는 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[an-jeo-neul mu-si-han hoe-sa-neun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A company that ignored safety deserves to be punished. 🏭
Answer
처벌받아야 — safety neglect can justify punishment.
I. 약자를 조롱한 행동은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[yak-jja-reul jo-rong-han haeng-dong-eun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
An action that mocked the vulnerable deserves to be criticized. 🛡️
Answer
비판받아야 — moral judgment is strong here.
J. 증거를 없앤 사람은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[jeung-geo-reul eop-ssaen sa-ra-meun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A person who destroyed evidence deserves to be punished. 🧾
Answer
처벌받아야 — evidence destruction is a deserved-consequence context.
🚨
Vocabulary Box
  • 근거 없는 → without evidence
  • 주장 → claim
  • 비판받다 → to be criticized
  • 폭력 → violence
  • 쓰다 → to use
  • 사람 → person
  • 처벌받다 → to be punished
  • 거짓말 → lie
  • 대표 → representative
  • 규칙 → rule
  • 반복해서 → repeatedly
  • 어기다 → to break
  • 팀 → team
  • 차별적 → discriminatory
  • 발언 → remark
  • 공금 → public funds
  • 훔치다 → to steal
  • 직원 → employee
  • 자료 → data
  • 조작하다 → to manipulate
  • 연구자 → researcher
  • 안전 → safety
  • 무시하다 → to ignore
  • 회사 → company
  • 약자 → vulnerable person
  • 조롱하다 → to mock
  • 행동 → action
  • 증거 → evidence
  • 없애다 → to destroy / remove
Tip 💡 With 비판받다 and 처벌받다, this grammar often means “deserves to.”
 

Exercise 4 — Tone Control: Must or Ought? 🎚️

A. Choose the natural sentence for a casual schedule: 내일 병원에 가야 해요 / 내일 병원에 가야 마땅해요
[nae-il byeong-wo-ne ga-ya hae-yo / nae-il byeong-wo-ne ga-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
I have to go to the hospital tomorrow. 🏥
Answer
내일 병원에 가야 해요 — a normal schedule obligation does not need moral judgment.
B. Choose the natural sentence for victim apology: 피해자에게 사과해야 해요 / 피해자에게 사과해야 마땅해요
[pi-hae-ja-e-ge sa-gwa-hae-ya hae-yo / pi-hae-ja-e-ge sa-gwa-hae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to apologize to the victim. 🙇
Answer
피해자에게 사과해야 마땅해요 — rightful apology fits 마땅하다.
C. Choose the natural sentence for homework reminder: 숙제를 해야 해요 / 숙제를 해야 마땅해요
[suk-jje-reul hae-ya hae-yo / suk-jje-reul hae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
I have to do homework. 📚
Answer
숙제를 해야 해요 — everyday requirement, not a moral ruling.
D. Choose the natural sentence for rights: 권리를 존중해야 해요 / 권리를 존중해야 마땅해요
[gwol-li-reul jon-jung-hae-ya hae-yo / gwol-li-reul jon-jung-hae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to respect rights. ⚖️
Answer
권리를 존중해야 마땅해요 — rights + ethics = moral obligation.
E. Choose the natural sentence for coffee: 커피를 마셔야 해요 / 커피를 마셔야 마땅해요
[keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-ya hae-yo / keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
I need to drink coffee. ☕
Answer
커피를 마셔야 해요 — caffeine may feel serious, but grammar court says no. ☕
F. Choose the natural sentence for public truth: 사실을 알려야 해요 / 사실을 알려야 마땅해요
[sa-si-reul al-lyeo-ya hae-yo / sa-si-reul al-lyeo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to reveal the facts. 📢
Answer
사실을 알려야 마땅해요 — public truth carries ethical weight.
G. Choose the natural sentence for class attendance: 수업에 참석해야 해요 / 수업에 참석해야 마땅해요
[su-eo-be cham-seo-kae-ya hae-yo / su-eo-be cham-seo-kae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
I have to attend class. 🏫
Answer
수업에 참석해야 해요 — ordinary requirement.
H. Choose the natural sentence for responsibility: 책임을 져야 해요 / 책임을 져야 마땅해요
[chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya hae-yo / chae-gi-meul jyeo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to take responsibility. 📌
Answer
책임을 져야 마땅해요 — responsibility often carries rightful judgment.
I. Choose the natural sentence for medicine: 약을 먹어야 해요 / 약을 먹어야 마땅해요
[ya-geul meo-geo-ya hae-yo / ya-geul meo-geo-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
I have to take medicine. 💊
Answer
약을 먹어야 해요 — medical necessity is not usually a moral judgment.
J. Choose the natural sentence for unfair behavior: 그 행동은 비판받아야 해요 / 그 행동은 비판받아야 마땅해요
[geu haeng-dong-eun bi-pan-ba-da-ya hae-yo / geu haeng-dong-eun bi-pan-ba-da-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
That action deserves criticism. 🗣️
Answer
그 행동은 비판받아야 마땅해요 — deserved criticism fits the pattern.
🎚️
Vocabulary Box
  • 내일 → tomorrow
  • 병원 → hospital
  • 가다 → to go
  • 피해자 → victim
  • 사과하다 → to apologize
  • 숙제 → homework
  • 하다 → to do
  • 권리 → right
  • 존중하다 → to respect
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 사실 → fact
  • 알리다 → to inform
  • 수업 → class
  • 참석하다 → to attend
  • 책임 → responsibility
  • 지다 → to bear / take
  • 약 → medicine
  • 먹다 → to eat / take
  • 그 → that
  • 행동 → action
  • 비판받다 → to be criticized
  • -아/어야 하다 → must / have to
  • -아/어야 마땅하다 → ought to / should rightfully
Tip 💡 Use 해야 해요 for normal requirements; use 해야 마땅해요 when fairness or judgment is involved.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 사과하다야 마땅해요. → ✅ ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to apologize. 🙇
Answer
사과해야 — ❌ dictionary 하다야 → ✅ 해야.
B. ❌ 책임을 지어야 마땅해요. → ✅ 책임을 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅해요.
[chae-gi-meul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-hae-yo]
One ought to take responsibility. 📌
Answer
져야 — 책임을 지다 → 책임을 져야.
C. ❌ 커피를 마셔야 마땅해요. → ✅ 커피를 마셔야 ＿＿＿＿.
[keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-ya ＿＿＿＿]
I need to drink coffee. ☕
Answer
해요 — coffee is an ordinary need, not moral judgment.
D. 회사는 개인정보를 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[hoe-sa-neun gae-in-jeong-bo-reul ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A company ought to protect personal information. 🔐
Answer
보호해야 — public responsibility fits 마땅하다.
E. 근거 없는 주장은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[geun-geo eom-neun ju-jang-eun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A claim without evidence deserves to be criticized. 📄
Answer
비판받아야 — deserved criticism.
F. Choose: “I have to attend class.” 수업에 참석해야 해요 / 수업에 참석해야 마땅해요
[su-eo-be cham-seo-kae-ya hae-yo / su-eo-be cham-seo-kae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
Ordinary class requirement. 🏫
Answer
수업에 참석해야 해요 — no special moral weight.
G. Choose: “Society ought to protect the vulnerable.” 사회는 약자를 보호해야 해요 / 사회는 약자를 보호해야 마땅해요
[sa-hoe-neun yak-jja-reul bo-ho-hae-ya hae-yo / sa-hoe-neun yak-jja-reul bo-ho-hae-ya ma-ttang-hae-yo]
Ethical social duty. 🛡️
Answer
사회는 약자를 보호해야 마땅해요 — moral obligation.
H. 폭력을 쓴 사람은 ＿＿＿＿ 마땅합니다.
[pong-nyeo-geul sseun sa-ra-meun ＿＿＿＿ ma-ttang-ham-ni-da]
A person who used violence deserves to be punished. 🚨
Answer
처벌받아야 — deserved consequence.
I. ❌ 숙제를 해야 마땅해요. → ✅ 숙제를 해야 ＿＿＿＿.
[suk-jje-reul hae-ya ＿＿＿＿]
I have to do homework. 📚
Answer
해요 — homework is usually a normal requirement.
J. What does -아야/어야 마땅하다 add beyond -아/어야 하다?
[＿＿＿＿]
Explain the tone in English. ⚖️
Answer
It adds moral, social, or logical judgment: “ought to,” “should rightfully,” or “deserves to.”
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 사과하다 → to apologize
  • 마땅하다 → to be proper / rightful
  • 책임 → responsibility
  • 지다 → to bear / take
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 하다 → to do
  • 회사 → company
  • 개인정보 → personal information
  • 보호하다 → to protect
  • 근거 없는 → without evidence
  • 주장 → claim
  • 비판받다 → to be criticized
  • 수업 → class
  • 참석하다 → to attend
  • 사회 → society
  • 약자 → vulnerable person
  • 폭력 → violence
  • 쓰다 → to use
  • 사람 → person
  • 처벌받다 → to be punished
  • 숙제 → homework
  • -아/어야 하다 → must / have to
  • -아야/어야 마땅하다 → ought to / should rightfully
Final Boss Rule 💡 If the sentence sounds like a judge, essay writer, or public ethics statement, 마땅하다 may fit. If it sounds like a calendar reminder, use 해야 하다.
 
🎉 Practice complete. You can now separate ordinary obligation from rightful obligation: 해야 해요 handles everyday duties, while 해야 마땅해요 brings the gavel of fairness, responsibility, and deserved consequence. ⚖️✨