TL;DR 🦄
- 💎 -(으)ㄹ 만하다 [-(eu)l man-ha-da] means worth doing, deserving of doing, good enough to do, or bearable/doable enough.
- 👍 Use it for reviews, recommendations, trust, value judgments, and “not perfect, but acceptable” situations.
- ✍️ Learner-safe spacing: write it with a space before 만하다: 볼 만해요, 먹을 만해요, 믿을 만해요.
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use Korean Helper Widgets and type 볼 만해요, 먹을 만해요, 믿을 만해요, 참을 만해요, and 읽을 만한 책이에요 to hear how 만하다 attaches after the future modifier form. 🎧
🌈 The Big Picture
-(으)ㄹ 만하다 is a very useful Korean pattern for saying something has enough value, quality, reason, or possibility to do.
It often feels like:
- “worth watching / reading / visiting”
- “good enough to eat / use / buy”
- “trustworthy / worth trusting”
- “bearable / tolerable”
- “understandable / reasonable”
Examples:
- 이 영화는 볼 만해요.
[i yeong-hwa-neun bol man-hae-yo] — This movie is worth watching. 🎬
영화 = movie; 보다 = to watch/see.
- 그 식당은 가 볼 만해요.
[geu sik-dang-eun ga bol man-hae-yo] — That restaurant is worth checking out. 🍽️
식당 = restaurant; 가 보다 = to go and try/check out.
- 그 사람은 믿을 만해요.
[geu sa-ra-meun mi-deul man-hae-yo] — That person is trustworthy / worth trusting. 🤝
사람 = person; 믿다 = to believe/trust.
The pattern is especially common in reviews: food, movies, books, places, apps, information, and experiences. It is also a polite way to say “decent enough” without overselling it. 🧃
🎨 The Core -(으)ㄹ 만하다 Family
1. Vowel stem + ㄹ 만하다
Use this when the verb stem ends in a vowel.
- 보다 [bo-da] — to watch/see → 볼 만해요 — worth watching/seeing
- 가다 [ga-da] — to go → 갈 만해요 — worth going / possible to go
- 사다 [sa-da] — to buy → 살 만해요 — worth buying / affordable enough
- 쓰다 [sseu-da] — to use/write → 쓸 만해요 — worth using / usable
2. Consonant stem + 을 만하다
Use this when the verb stem ends in a consonant.
- 먹다 [meok-da] — to eat → 먹을 만해요 — worth eating / edible enough
- 읽다 [ik-da] — to read → 읽을 만해요 — worth reading
- 참다 [cham-da] — to endure → 참을 만해요 — bearable
- 믿다 [mit-da] — to believe/trust → 믿을 만해요 — trustworthy
3. ㄹ-ending stems: keep ㄹ + 만하다
Do not add another 을.
- 만들다 [man-deul-da] — to make → 만들 만해요 — worth making / possible to make
- 놀다 [nol-da] — to hang out/play → 놀 만해요 — worth hanging out / playable enough
- 살다 [sal-da] — to live → 살 만해요 — livable / worth living in
4. Irregulars and common forms
Some verbs change before -(으)ㄹ 만하다.
- 듣다 [deut-da] — to listen → 들을 만해요 — worth listening to
- 걷다 [geot-da] — to walk → 걸을 만해요 — walkable / worth walking
- 돕다 [dop-da] — to help → 도울 만해요 — worth helping / possible to help
- 짓다 [jit-da] — to build/make → 지을 만해요 — worth building/making
5. Before a noun: -(으)ㄹ 만한 N
Use 만한 before a noun.
- 볼 만한 영화 — a movie worth watching
- 읽을 만한 책 — a book worth reading
- 믿을 만한 정보 — trustworthy information
- 걸을 만한 거리 — a walkable distance
🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence
-(으)ㄹ 만하다 can sound like a recommendation, a review, or a judgment that something is reasonable enough.
Examples:
- 이 책은 조금 길지만 읽을 만해요.
[i chae-geun jo-geum gil-ji-man il-geul man-hae-yo] — This book is a little long, but it is worth reading. 📘
책 = book; 조금 = a little; 길다 = to be long.
- 이 정도 통증은 참을 만해요.
[i jeong-do tong-jeung-eun cha-meul man-hae-yo] — This level of pain is bearable. 🩹
이 정도 = this level/degree; 통증 = pain.
- 그 자료는 참고할 만해요.
[geu ja-ryo-neun cham-go-hal man-hae-yo] — That material is worth referencing. 📌
자료 = material/data; 참고하다 = to refer to.
🧩 General Formation Rule
Vowel stems
Remove 다, then add ㄹ 만해요.
- 보다 → 볼 만해요
- 가다 → 갈 만해요
- 사다 → 살 만해요
- 쓰다 → 쓸 만해요
Consonant stems
Remove 다, then add 을 만해요.
- 먹다 → 먹을 만해요
- 읽다 → 읽을 만해요
- 참다 → 참을 만해요
- 믿다 → 믿을 만해요
ㄹ stems
Keep the existing ㄹ, then add 만해요.
- 만들다 → 만들 만해요
- 놀다 → 놀 만해요
- 살다 → 살 만해요
Common sentence forms
- 볼 만해요. — It is worth watching.
- 볼 만했어요. — It was worth watching.
- 볼 만할 거예요. — It will probably be worth watching.
- 볼 만하지 않아요. — It is not worth watching.
- 볼 만한 영화예요. — It is a movie worth watching.
Spacing note
For clean learner writing, put a space before 만하다:
- ✅ 볼 만해요
- ✅ 먹을 만해요
- ✅ 믿을 만한 정보예요
- ❌ 볼만 해요
- ❌ 먹을만해요
🚨 Nuance: Worth It, Decent, Doable, or Bearable?
-(으)ㄹ 만하다 has a useful range.
Worth doing
- 이 전시회는 볼 만해요.
[i jeon-si-hoe-neun bol man-hae-yo] — This exhibition is worth seeing. 🖼️
Decent / good enough
- 음식은 먹을 만해요.
[eum-si-geun meo-geul man-hae-yo] — The food is edible/decent enough. 🍜
This can be mild praise, not “amazing.”
Doable / possible enough
- 혼자 할 만해요.
[hon-ja hal man-hae-yo] — It is doable alone. 💪
Bearable / tolerable
- 춥지만 견딜 만해요.
[chup-ji-man gyeon-dil man-hae-yo] — It is cold, but bearable. 🧥
Context decides the exact English translation. Korean loves a multitool. This one is a Swiss Army spoon. 🥄
🔍 -(으)ㄹ 만하다 vs Related Grammar
-(으)ㄹ 만하다
Natural review, value judgment, or “enough to do.”
- 이 영화는 볼 만해요. — This movie is worth watching / decent.
-(으)ㄹ 가치가 있다
Stronger and more formal: “has value to do.”
- 이 책은 읽을 가치가 있어요. — This book has value / is worth reading.
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다
Ability or possibility, without the “worth/decent” feeling.
- 혼자 할 수 있어요. — I can do it alone / it is possible to do alone.
괜찮다
General “okay/fine,” less specific than worth doing.
- 그 식당은 괜찮아요. — That restaurant is okay.
Noun + 만 하다
Comparison: “as big/much as.”
- 집만 해요. — It is as big as a house.
Do not confuse 볼 만해요 “worth seeing” with noun-comparison 집만 해요 “as big as a house.” Same-looking pieces, different grammar beast. 🐾
📚 Cross-check note
This lesson was checked against korean.go.kr. Their guidance treats 만하다 in this pattern as a supporting adjective after the adnominal form -(으)ㄹ, with spacing as the principle and attached writing sometimes allowed in supporting-verb cases. For learner clarity, this lesson consistently uses the spaced form: 볼 만하다, 먹을 만하다, 믿을 만하다. ✅
🪞 Synonym Alert
Possible English translations:
- “worth...” → 볼 만해요. — It is worth watching.
- “decent enough...” → 먹을 만해요. — It is good enough to eat.
- “doable...” → 혼자 할 만해요. — It is doable alone.
- “bearable...” → 참을 만해요. — It is bearable.
- “trustworthy...” → 믿을 만해요. — It is trustworthy.
Useful review words:
- 한 번 — once
- 가 보다 — to go and try/check out
- 해 보다 — to try doing
- 생각해 보다 — to think over
- 참고하다 — to refer to
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 먹는 만해요 → ✅ 먹을 만해요. Use -(으)ㄹ, not -는.
- ❌ 읽는 만해요 → ✅ 읽을 만해요.
- ❌ 듣을 만해요 → ✅ 들을 만해요. 듣다 is ㄷ-irregular here.
- ❌ 걷을 만해요 → ✅ 걸을 만해요. 걷다 is ㄷ-irregular here.
- ❌ Assuming 먹을 만해요 always means “delicious” → ✅ It can mean “edible/decent enough.”
🎉 Now you can review things naturally in Korean: 볼 만해요, 가 볼 만해요, 믿을 만해요, 참을 만해요. Worthiness grammar unlocked. 💎✨
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄹ 만하다 form. Say the full sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle for the meaning and form.
1. 보다 → 이 영화는 ____.
[bo-da → i yeong-hwa-neun ____]
This movie is worth watching. 🎬
Answer
볼 만해요 — vowel stem + ㄹ 만해요.
2. 먹다 → 이 음식은 ____.
[meok-da → i eum-si-geun ____]
This food is worth eating / edible enough. 🍜
Answer
먹을 만해요 — consonant stem + 을 만해요.
3. 읽다 → 이 책은 ____.
[ik-da → i chae-geun ____]
This book is worth reading. 📘
Answer
읽을 만해요.
4. 참다 → 이 정도는 ____.
[cham-da → i jeong-do-neun ____]
This level is bearable. 😌
Answer
참을 만해요.
5. 믿다 → 그 사람은 ____.
[mit-da → geu sa-ra-meun ____]
That person is trustworthy. 🤝
Answer
믿을 만해요.
6. 듣다 → 이 노래는 ____.
[deut-da → i no-rae-neun ____]
This song is worth listening to. 🎧
Answer
들을 만해요 — ㄷ-irregular: 듣다 → 들을.
7. 걷다 → 역까지 ____ 거리예요.
[geot-da → yeok-kka-ji ____ geo-ri-ye-yo]
It is a walkable distance to the station. 🚉
Answer
걸을 만한 — before a noun, use 만한.
8. Choose the learner-safe spacing:
① 볼 만해요 / ② 볼만 해요
Answer
① 볼 만해요 — spaced form is learner-safe.
9. 먹을 만해요 can mean:
Answer
It is worth eating / edible or decent enough — not always “delicious.”
10. -(으)ㄹ 만하다 is strongest when:
Answer
Something has enough value, quality, or possibility to do: worth doing, doable, or bearable.
Vocabulary Box
- 보다 → to watch/see
- 영화 → movie
- 먹다 → to eat
- 음식 → food
- 읽다 → to read
- 책 → book
- 참다 → to endure
- 이 정도 → this level/degree
- 믿다 → to believe/trust
- 사람 → person
- 듣다 → to listen
- 노래 → song
- 걷다 → to walk
- 역 → station
- 거리 → distance
Tip 💡 만해요 ends a sentence; 만한 describes a noun.
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you a full worthiness workout. 💎
🎯 Practice Hub — Worthiness: -(으)ㄹ 만하다
Welcome to the worthiness lab. 💎 You’ll practice making recommendations, judging whether something is decent enough, saying a task is doable, and describing things as trustworthy or bearable. By the end, you’ll be able to review movies, cafés, books, apps, distances, and people without sounding like a robot critic with a clipboard. 🤖📝
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
📝 Instructions: Complete each sentence with the right -(으)ㄹ 만하다 form. Watch for vowel stems, consonant stems, ㄹ stems, irregular verbs, sentence-ending 만해요, and noun-modifying 만한.
Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧
A. 보다 → 이 드라마는 ____.
[bo-da → i deu-ra-ma-neun ____]
This drama is worth watching. 📺
Answer
볼 만해요 — vowel stem + ㄹ 만해요.
B. 가다 → 제주도는 한 번 ____.
[ga-da → je-ju-do-neun han beon ____]
Jeju Island is worth going to once. 🏝️
Answer
갈 만해요.
C. 사다 → 이 가방은 ____.
[sa-da → i ga-bang-eun ____]
This bag is worth buying. 👜
Answer
살 만해요.
D. 쓰다 → 이 앱은 ____.
[sseu-da → i ae-beun ____]
This app is worth using / usable. 📱
Answer
쓸 만해요.
E. 먹다 → 이 빵은 ____.
[meok-da → i ppang-eun ____]
This bread is worth eating / decent enough. 🍞
Answer
먹을 만해요 — consonant stem + 을 만해요.
F. 읽다 → 이 글은 ____.
[ik-da → i geu-reun ____]
This article is worth reading. 📄
Answer
읽을 만해요.
G. 만들다 → 이 케이크는 ____.
[man-deul-da → i ke-i-keu-neun ____]
This cake is worth making. 🍰
Answer
만들 만해요 — ㄹ stem keeps ㄹ.
H. 놀다 → 이 공원은 ____.
[nol-da → i gong-wo-neun ____]
This park is worth hanging out in. 🌳
Answer
놀 만해요.
I. 듣다 → 이 강의는 ____.
[deut-da → i gang-ui-neun ____]
This lecture is worth listening to. 🎧
Answer
들을 만해요 — ㄷ-irregular.
J. 걷다 → 이 길은 ____.
[geot-da → i gi-reun ____]
This road/path is worth walking. 🚶
Answer
걸을 만해요 — ㄷ-irregular.
Vocabulary Box
- 드라마 → drama/show
- 제주도 → Jeju Island
- 한 번 → once
- 가방 → bag
- 앱 → app
- 빵 → bread
- 글 → writing/article
- 케이크 → cake
- 공원 → park
- 강의 → lecture
- 길 → road/path
Tip 💡 Vowel → ㄹ 만해요, consonant → 을 만해요, ㄹ stem → keep ㄹ + 만해요.
Exercise 2 — Reviews and Recommendations 👍
A. 그 카페는 가 ____.
[geu ka-pe-neun ga ____]
That café is worth checking out. ☕
Answer
볼 만해요 — 가 볼 만해요 = worth going to try/check out.
B. 이 전시회는 ____.
[i jeon-si-hoe-neun ____]
This exhibition is worth seeing. 🖼️
Answer
볼 만해요.
C. 이 박물관은 가 ____.
[i bang-mul-gwa-neun ga ____]
This museum is worth visiting. 🏛️
Answer
볼 만해요.
D. 이 노래는 ____.
[i no-rae-neun ____]
This song is worth listening to. 🎵
Answer
들을 만해요.
E. 이 게임은 한 번 해 ____.
[i ge-i-meun han beon hae ____]
This game is worth trying once. 🎮
Answer
볼 만해요 — 해 볼 만해요 = worth trying.
F. 그 제품은 ____.
[geu je-pu-meun ____]
That product is worth buying. 🛍️
Answer
살 만해요.
G. 이 자료는 ____.
[i ja-ryo-neun ____]
This material is worth referencing. 📌
Answer
참고할 만해요.
H. 이 정보는 ____.
[i jeong-bo-neun ____]
This information is trustworthy / worth trusting. 🔐
Answer
믿을 만해요.
I. 이곳은 사진을 찍을 ____ 곳이에요.
[i-go-seun sa-ji-neul jji-geul ____ go-si-e-yo]
This is a place worth taking photos. 📷
Answer
만한 — 찍을 만한 곳 modifies 곳.
J. 그 공연은 볼 ____ 공연이에요.
[geu gong-yeo-neun bol ____ gong-yeo-ni-e-yo]
That performance is a performance worth watching. 🎭
Answer
만한.
Vocabulary Box
- 카페 → café
- 전시회 → exhibition
- 박물관 → museum
- 게임 → game
- 해 보다 → to try doing
- 제품 → product
- 자료 → material/data
- 정보 → information
- 사진을 찍다 → to take a photo
- 곳 → place
- 공연 → performance
Tip 💡 가 볼 만해요 and 해 볼 만해요 are review-power phrases.
Exercise 3 — Doable, Bearable, Trustworthy 💪
A. 혼자 할 ____.
[hon-ja hal ____]
It is doable alone. 💪
Answer
만해요.
B. 이 통증은 참을 ____.
[i tong-jeung-eun cha-meul ____]
This pain is bearable. 🩹
Answer
만해요.
C. 춥지만 견딜 ____.
[chup-ji-man gyeon-dil ____]
It is cold, but bearable. 🧥
Answer
만해요.
D. 이 문제는 풀 ____.
[i mun-je-neun pul ____]
This problem is solvable / doable. 🧩
Answer
만해요.
E. 역까지 걸을 ____ 거리예요.
[yeok-kka-ji geo-reul ____ geo-ri-ye-yo]
It is a walkable distance to the station. 🚉
Answer
만한.
F. 기다릴 ____ 일이에요.
[gi-da-ril ____ i-ri-e-yo]
It is something worth waiting for. ⏳
Answer
만한.
G. 이 설명은 이해할 ____.
[i seol-myeong-eun i-hae-hal ____]
This explanation is understandable. 💡
Answer
만해요.
H. 그 선택은 생각해 볼 ____.
[geu seon-tae-geun saeng-ga-kae bol ____]
That choice is worth thinking over. 🤔
Answer
만해요.
I. 그 사람은 믿을 ____ 사람이에요.
[geu sa-ra-meun mi-deul ____ sa-ra-mi-e-yo]
That person is a person worth trusting. 🤝
Answer
만한.
J. 이 계획은 도울 ____.
[i gye-hoe-geun do-ul ____]
This plan is worth helping with. 🧭
Answer
만해요 — 돕다 → 도울.
Vocabulary Box
- 혼자 → alone
- 하다 → to do
- 통증 → pain
- 춥다 → to be cold
- 견디다 → to endure/bear
- 풀다 → to solve
- 기다리다 → to wait
- 일 → thing/work/matter
- 설명 → explanation
- 이해하다 → to understand
- 선택 → choice
- 생각해 보다 → to think over
- 계획 → plan
- 돕다 → to help
Tip 💡 만하다 can mean worth doing, doable, bearable, or trustworthy.
Exercise 4 — Spacing, Modifier, and Meaning 🧱
A. Choose the learner-safe spacing:
① 볼 만해요 / ② 볼만 해요
Answer
① 볼 만해요.
B. Choose the learner-safe spacing:
① 먹을 만해요 / ② 먹을만 해요
Answer
① 먹을 만해요.
C. 읽을 ____ 책이에요.
[il-geul ____ chae-gi-e-yo]
It is a book worth reading. 📘
Answer
만한.
D. 믿을 ____ 정보예요.
[mi-deul ____ jeong-bo-ye-yo]
It is trustworthy information. 🔐
Answer
만한.
E. 볼 ____ 않아요.
[bol ____ a-na-yo]
It is not worth watching. 🎬
Answer
만하지 → 볼 만하지 않아요.
F. 갈 ____.
[gal ____]
It was worth going. 🚶
Answer
만했어요.
G. 해 볼 ____.
[hae bol ____]
It will probably be worth trying. 🧪
Answer
만할 거예요.
H. Choose “as big as a house”:
① 집만 해요 / ② 집 만해요
Answer
① 집만 해요 — noun + 만 하다 comparison.
I. 먹을 만해요 can sound like:
Answer
Worth eating / edible / decent enough — context decides how enthusiastic it sounds.
J. 믿을 만해요 means:
Answer
Trustworthy / worth trusting, not simply “I believe.”
Decision Box
- 볼 만해요 → worth watching
- 볼 만한 영화 → movie worth watching
- 볼 만하지 않아요 → not worth watching
- 볼 만했어요 → was worth watching
- 집만 해요 → as big as a house
Tip 💡 Verb + 만하다 and noun + 만 하다 are different patterns.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. ❌ 먹는 만해요 → ✅ ____
[meong-neun man-hae-yo → ____]
Fix the worthiness form. 🍜
Answer
먹을 만해요 — use -(으)ㄹ, not -는.
B. ❌ 읽는 만해요 → ✅ ____
[ing-neun man-hae-yo → ____]
Fix the reading form. 📘
Answer
읽을 만해요.
C. ❌ 듣을 만해요 → ✅ ____
[deu-deul man-hae-yo → ____]
Fix the ㄷ-irregular. 🎧
Answer
들을 만해요.
D. ❌ 걷을 만해요 → ✅ ____
[geo-deul man-hae-yo → ____]
Fix the ㄷ-irregular. 🚶
Answer
걸을 만해요.
E. ❌ 만들을 만해요 → ✅ ____
[man-deu-reul man-hae-yo → ____]
Fix the ㄹ-stem form. 🛠️
Answer
만들 만해요 — keep ㄹ; do not add 을.
F. ❌ 볼만 해요 → ✅ ____
[bol-man hae-yo → ____]
Fix the learner-safe spacing. ✍️
Answer
볼 만해요.
G. ❌ 먹을 만해요 always means “delicious” → ✅ ____
Answer
It can mean “worth eating,” but also “edible/decent enough.”
H. ❌ 집 만해요 for “as big as a house” → ✅ ____
Answer
집만 해요 — comparison with a noun.
I. 그 자료는 참고할 ____.
[geu ja-ryo-neun cham-go-hal ____]
That material is worth referencing. 📌
Answer
만해요.
J. -(으)ㄹ 만하다 is strongest when:
Answer
You want to say something is worth doing, decent enough, doable, bearable, or trustworthy.
Final Check
- 볼 만해요 → worth watching
- 먹을 만해요 → worth eating / edible
- 읽을 만해요 → worth reading
- 들을 만해요 → worth listening to
- 걸을 만해요 → walkable / worth walking
- 만들 만해요 → worth making / possible to make
- 참고하다 → to refer to
- 집 → house/home
Tip 💡 The magic piece is -(으)ㄹ: 먹을, 읽을, 들을, 걸을.
🎉 Worthiness mastered! With -(으)ㄹ 만하다, you can make natural reviews and recommendations: 볼 만해요, 가 볼 만해요, 믿을 만해요, 참을 만해요. Review Korean unlocked. 💎✨