C1 · Avancé Chapitre 2

Describing Outcomes and Inevitabilities

5 Règles totales
53 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the nuances of certainty, consequence, and near-misses to sound like a native Korean speaker.

  • Articulate how personal effort shapes individual outcomes.
  • Express universal truths and natural consequences with authority.
  • Identify and describe near-miss scenarios and negative probabilities.
Unlock the power of consequence and inevitability.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to truly master the art of expressing certainty, consequence, and even near-disasters in Korean? This C1 chapter is where you'll unlock the subtle power to sound genuinely native. You’ll learn how to articulate not just what will happen, but *why* it will, *how* it depends on certain factors, and even what *almost* happened! We'll dive into five key grammar patterns: -기 나름이다, for when you want to emphasize that an outcome hinges on effort or perspective; -는 법이다, to state those undeniable universal truths or natural laws; -게 마련이다, for inevitabilities rooted in the natural order; -기 십상이다, a crucial tool for issuing strong warnings about highly probable negative results; and -ㄹ/을 뻔했다, to vividly recount those dramatic near-misses or missed opportunities. Why does this matter? Imagine confidently discussing complex life decisions, warning a friend about potential pitfalls, or sharing a thrilling anecdote about a close call. These aren't just grammar rules; they're your advanced toolkit for nuanced communication. By connecting how different degrees of certainty are expressed, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Korean thought patterns. After this chapter, you won't just understand advanced Korean conversations; you'll lead them. You'll be able to precisely explain why things happen, predict natural consequences, give sharp warnings, and captivate listeners with tales of things that almost were.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Explain how specific actions or mindsets lead to subjective outcomes using -기 나름이다.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Predict natural outcomes and warn of risks using -게 마련이다 and -기 십상이다.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Narrate past events that narrowly avoided a specific outcome using -ㄹ/을 뻔했다.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome, advanced Korean learners, to a pivotal chapter designed to elevate your linguistic precision! At the C1 Korean level, true fluency goes beyond basic communication; it's about articulating nuanced thoughts, predicting outcomes, and sharing vivid experiences with native-like accuracy. This guide is your key to unlocking the subtle power of expressing certainty, consequence, and even near-disasters in Korean.
We'll explore five essential Korean grammar patterns that allow you to articulate not just *what* will happen, but *why* it will, *how* it depends on certain factors, and even what *almost* happened!
Mastering these structures is crucial for anyone aiming for native Korean speaker proficiency. You'll gain the ability to discuss complex life decisions, issue strong warnings about potential pitfalls, or recount thrilling anecdotes about close calls. By understanding how different degrees of certainty and inevitability are expressed, you'll gain a deeper insight into Korean thought patterns and communication styles.
Get ready to confidently lead advanced Korean conversations and impress with your sophisticated command of the language.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces five powerful advanced Korean grammar patterns, each with a distinct role in expressing outcomes and inevitabilities.
First, -기 나름이다 (It Depends on How...) emphasizes that an outcome hinges on effort, perspective, or individual action. It conveys that results are not fixed but are contingent on
how one does it
or
what one makes of it.
For example: 성공은 노력하기 나름이다 (Success depends on how much effort you put in).
Next, -는 법이다 (Universal Truths & Laws) is used to state undeniable universal truths, natural laws, or general principles. It describes things that are inherently and consistently true. For instance: 사람은 누구나 죽기 마련이다 (Everyone is bound to die).
*Correction: This example was for -게 마련이다. Let's use a better one for -는 법이다.* Example: 뿌린 대로 거두는 법이다 (You reap what you sow – it's a universal truth).
Closely related is -게 마련이다 (Bound to happen), which expresses inevitability rooted in the natural order of things, a logical consequence, or a common human tendency. It suggests that something is simply bound to happen or
is to be expected.
Example: 열심히 노력하면 좋은 결과가 나오게 마련이다 (If you work hard, good results are bound to come out).
For strong warnings about highly probable negative results, we use -기 십상이다 (High Probability of Negative Results). This pattern is specifically for situations where a bad outcome is very likely. For example: 그렇게 계속 밤새면 건강을 해치기 십상이다 (If you keep staying up all night like that, it's highly probable you'll harm your health).
Finally, -ㄹ/을 뻔했다 (Almost Happened) vividly recounts dramatic near-misses or missed opportunities. It expresses that something almost occurred but didn't, often implying relief or regret. Example: 사고가 날 뻔했다 (There was almost an accident).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 열심히 공부하면 합격하기 십상이다. (If you study hard, you're highly likely to pass.)
✓ Correct: 열심히 공부하면 합격할 수밖에 없다. (If you study hard, you have no choice but to pass.) / 열심히 공부하면 합격하기 마련이다. (If you study hard, you're bound to pass.)
*Explanation:* -기 십상이다 is almost exclusively used for negative outcomes. Using it for a positive outcome like passing an exam sounds unnatural and incorrect. For positive inevitability, consider -게 마련이다 or -ㄹ 수밖에 없다.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 어제 버스를 놓칠 뻔했어. (I almost missed the bus.) (when the bus was indeed missed)
✓ Correct: 어제 버스를 놓칠 뻔했는데 다행히 탔어. (I almost missed the bus, but luckily I caught it.) / 어제 버스를 놓쳤어. (I missed the bus.)
*Explanation:* -ㄹ/을 뻔했다 implies that the event *did not* actually happen, despite coming close. If you actually missed the bus, you should just state that you missed it. If you want to emphasize the near-miss but ultimately caught it, use it with a contrasting clause like -았/었지만 or -았/었는데.

Real Conversations

A

A

이번 프로젝트 성공할 수 있을까요? (Will this project be successful?)
B

B

그건 우리 팀이 어떻게 하느냐에 나름이다. 최선을 다하면 좋은 결과가 있을 수밖에 없죠. (That depends on how our team handles it. If we do our best, there's no way but to have good results.)
A

A

요즘 잠을 너무 못 자서 걱정이에요. (I'm worried because I haven't been able to sleep much lately.)
B

B

그렇게 계속 무리하면 건강이 나빠지기 십상이다. 사람은 잠을 자야 회복하는 법이다! (If you keep overworking like that, it's highly probable your health will get worse. It's a universal truth that people need to sleep to recover!)
A

A

어제 운전하다가 큰 사고 날 뻔했어요. (Yesterday, I almost got into a big accident while driving.)
B

B

정말요? 조심하세요! 방심하면 언제든 사고는 나게 마련이다 (Really? Be careful! If you let your guard down, accidents are bound to happen at any time.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between -는 법이다 and -게 마련이다?

-는 법이다 describes universal, inherent truths or general principles that are always true (e.g.,

what goes up must come down
). -게 마련이다 describes things that are naturally or logically bound to happen as a consequence or tendency (e.g., "if you don't study, you're bound to fail").

Q

Can -기 십상이다 be used for positive predictions?

No, -기 십상이다 is almost exclusively used to express a high probability of a *negative* outcome or undesirable result.

Q

How do I correctly conjugate verbs before -ㄹ/을 뻔했다?

You attach -ㄹ 뻔했다 to verb stems ending in a vowel or ㄹ, and -을 뻔했다 to verb stems ending in a consonant (not ㄹ). For example, 가다 -> 갈 뻔했다; 먹다 -> 먹을 뻔했다.

Q

Is -기 나름이다 mostly about effort?

While often used with effort, -기 나름이다 can also refer to perspective or approach. It means the outcome depends on

how one does/views something
or
what one makes of it.

Cultural Context

These advanced Korean grammar patterns are deeply embedded in how Koreans express wisdom, caution, and shared understanding. -는 법이다 and -게 마련이다 often reflect a philosophical outlook on life and natural order, frequently used in proverbs or advice. -기 십상이다 serves as a vital tool for expressing concern and issuing strong, empathetic warnings, highlighting a communal sense of responsibility.
-ㄹ/을 뻔했다 allows for dramatic storytelling, fostering connection through shared experiences of close calls. Together, they demonstrate a nuanced approach to cause and effect that is characteristic of C1 Korean communication.

Exemples clés (8)

1

공부는 어떻게 하기 나름이에요.

Les études, ça dépend de la façon dont tu t'y prends.

Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)
2

인생은 생각하기 나름이야.

La vie, ça dépend de ta façon de la voir.

Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)
3

가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 고운 법이다.

Les belles paroles que l'on dit reviennent en belles paroles. (On récolte ce que l'on sème.)

Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다
4

요즘 너무 잠을 안 자네. 무리하면 병이 나는 법이야.

Tu n'as pas beaucoup dormi ces derniers temps. Si tu en fais trop, tu es sûr de tomber malade.

Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다
5

시간이 지나면 모든 슬픔은 잊혀지게 마련이에요.

Avec le temps, toute tristesse est vouée à être oubliée.

Forcément arriver (-게 마련이다)
6

아무리 숨기려 해도 거짓말은 언젠가 들통나게 마련이야.

Peu importe à quel point tu essaies de le cacher, les mensonges finissent toujours par être révélés un jour.

Forcément arriver (-게 마련이다)
7

If you don't take care of your umbrella, you're apt to lose it.

Si tu ne fais pas attention à ton parapluie, tu risques fort de le perdre.

Forte probabilité de résultats négatifs (-기 십상이다)
8

Comments like this are apt to be misunderstood.

Ce genre de commentaire risque fort de créer un malentendu.

Forte probabilité de résultats négatifs (-기 십상이다)

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Le pouvoir de '어떻게'

Quand tu parles coréen, tu entendras super souvent '어떻게' (comment) juste avant la racine du verbe. Ça donne du poids et ça fait très natif : «공부는 어떻게 하기 나름이에요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)
💬

L'ambiance du sage aîné

Quand tu utilises cette grammaire, tu as l'air d'une personne sage et expérimentée. C'est souvent utilisé par les aînés qui donnent des conseils, ou entre amis tard le soir autour d'un soju, comme un petit thérapeute. «원래 처음은 다 어려운 법이야.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다
💬

Le ton du 'Sage Ancien'

Quand tu utilises cette structure, tu as l'air super sage et réfléchi. C'est souvent ce que les aînés disent aux plus jeunes pour leur faire voir la vie avec plus de recul. «인생은 원래 그런 거야. 다 지나가게 마련이야.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forcément arriver (-게 마련이다)
⚠️

Pas de bonnes nouvelles ici !

Attention, tu n'utilises jamais cette expression pour parler de choses positives comme gagner à la loterie ou réussir un examen. Ça sonnerait vraiment bizarre, voire sarcastique, comme si tu disais : «복권에 당첨되기 십상이에요.» (C'est sûr que tu vas gagner à la loterie) – non, ça ne marche pas !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forte probabilité de résultats négatifs (-기 십상이다)

Vocabulaire clé (5)

관점 (gwanjeom) perspective/viewpoint 필연적 (piryheonjeok) inevitable 방심 (bangsim) carelessness/neglect 성패 (seongpae) success or failure 위기 (wigi) crisis

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Discussing Career Success

Review Summary

  • Verb-기 나름이다
  • Verb-는 법이다
  • Verb-게 마련이다
  • Verb-기 십상이다
  • Verb-ㄹ/을 뻔했다

Erreurs courantes

-기 나름이다 requires a verb indicating an action or choice, not just an event. You must specify the action that influences the result.

Wrong: 그것은 일어날 나름이다.
Correct: 그것은 하기 나름이다.

-ㄹ/을 뻔했다 emphasizes that the event did NOT happen. If it did happen, do not use this pattern.

Wrong: 비가 올 뻔했다 (when it actually rained).
Correct: 비가 올 뻔했지만 안 왔다.

-기 십상이다 is strictly for negative outcomes. Use a different pattern for positive expectations.

Wrong: 좋은 일이 생기 십상이다.
Correct: 나쁜 일이 생기기 십상이다.

Règles dans ce chapitre (5)

1

Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)

C1
Utilise '-기 나름이다' pour insister sur le fait que les résultats dépendent de ton effort, de ta perspective ou de la manière dont tu fais les choses. C'est une façon de dire 'c'est toi qui décides !'.
공부는 어떻게 하기 나름이에요.
10 exemples
2

Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다

C1
Utilise -는 법이다 pour dire qu'un résultat est naturel, attendu, ou une règle de vie universelle. C'est pour les
vérités générales
, les lois naturelles ou ce qui est inévitable.
가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 고운 법이다.
11 exemples
3

Forcément arriver (-게 마련이다)

C1
Ce petit bijou grammatical, «-게 마련이다», c'est ton outil pour dire qu'une chose est inévitable ou naturelle parce que c'est l'ordre des choses. Pense loi naturelle ou fatalité.
시간이 지나면 모든 슬픔은 잊혀지게 마련이에요.
12 exemples
4

Forte probabilité de résultats négatifs (-기 십상이다)

C1
Avec -기 십상이다, tu as un super outil pour signaler qu'un résultat négatif est presque inévitable dans une situation donnée. C'est comme une "sonnette d'alarme" grammaticale !
If you don't take care of your umbrella, you're ap...
10 exemples
5

J'ai failli : Maîtriser le modèle -ㄹ/을 뻔했다

C1
Tu as un outil magique pour raconter les moments où tu as frôlé la catastrophe ou manqué une occasion. Utilise «-ㄹ/을 뻔했다» pour ajouter du drame, que ce soit pour exprimer ton soulagement qu'un désastre ait été évité, ou ton regret d'avoir raté une chance.
하마터면 기차를 놓칠 뻔했어요.
10 exemples

Next Steps

You've mastered the art of consequence! Keep that momentum going as we move into formal logic.

Listen to a Korean news editorial and identify the logical patterns used.

Continue to: Formal Logic and Flow

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

돈은 쓰기 나름에 달려 있어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 돈은 쓰기 나름이에요.
Tu ne devrais pas mélanger '-기 나름이다' et '-기에 달려 있다' dans la même phrase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)

Complète le blanc avec la forme correcte de '생각하다' pour dire 'Ça dépend de ta façon de penser'.

모든 일은 어떻게 ______ 나름이에요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 생각하기
Tu as besoin de la forme nominalisée (racine verbale + -기) avant '나름이다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur de conjugaison.

Find and fix the mistake:

열심히 노력하면 언젠가는 성공할 법이다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 열심히 노력하면 언젠가는 성공하는 법이다.
Pour exprimer une règle générale, utilise le modificateur de verbe d'action au présent -는 (성공하는 법이다), pas le futur -ㄹ.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다

Remplis le blanc avec la forme correcte de 'être révélé' (드러나다).

Peu importe à quel point tu caches un mensonge, il ___ finira par être révélé. (아무리 거짓말을 숨겨도 결국 ___.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드러나게 마련이다
Nous exprimons une vérité générale sur les mensonges qui finissent par éclater, donc '-게 마련이다' est la structure correcte.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forcément arriver (-게 마련이다)

Remplis le blanc avec la forme correcte.

세상에 공짜는 ___ 법이다. (There is no such thing as free in this world.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 없는
Pour l'adjectif 없다 (ne pas exister), tu utilises -는, ce qui donne 없는 법이다. (Note : 있다/없다 prennent uniquement -는 au lieu de -은/ㄴ).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다

Quelle phrase utilise naturellement -는 법이다 ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 시간이 지나면 상처는 아물기 마련이고, 잊혀지는 법이에요.
-는 법이다 est pour les vérités universelles (
les blessures guérissent avec le temps
), pas pour des événements personnels passés ou futurs spécifiques.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Les règles de la vie et vérités générales : -는 법이다

Quelle phrase est grammaticalement correcte et naturelle ?

Choisis la phrase correcte à propos de la personnalité d'une personne.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그건 사람 나름이에요.
'사람' est un nom, donc il se connecte directement à '나름이다' sans '-기'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cela dépend de la manière dont... (-기 나름이다)

Quelle phrase est grammaticalement correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte exprimant un quasi-événement :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 길에서 넘어질 뻔했어요.
La règle grammaticale exige le modificateur prospectif -ㄹ/을 et le passé 뻔했다. '넘어질 뻔해요' utilise le présent, ce qui est incorrect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: J'ai failli : Maîtriser le modèle -ㄹ/을 뻔했다

Trouve l'erreur dans la phrase ci-dessous.

Find and fix the mistake:

길이 미끄러워서 넘어지 십상이에요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 넘어지기 십상이에요.
Tu dois inclure le nominalisateur '-기' avant '십상이다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forte probabilité de résultats négatifs (-기 십상이다)

Remplis le blanc avec la forme correcte.

아침에 알람을 못 들어서 지각___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 할 뻔했어요
Pour dire 'a failli être en retard', utilise le modificateur futur -ㄹ attaché à 하다 (할), suivi de 뻔했어요 au passé.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: J'ai failli : Maîtriser le modèle -ㄹ/을 뻔했다

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Oui, tant que le contexte implique une dépendance qualitative. C'est le plus courant avec des verbes d'action comme '하기' (faire), '공부하기' (étudier) et '말하기' (parler).
Ça veut dire 'étendue', 'manière' ou 'nature'. Donc '하기 나름' signifie littéralement 'l'étendue de ce que tu fais'.
Cela se traduit littéralement par 'C'est la loi/règle que...'. Le mot '법' vient du Hanja {법|法} signifiant loi ou principe. Il indique une vérité universelle.
Non. Tu ne peux pas l'utiliser pour des projets futurs spécifiques. '내일 영화를 보는 법이에요' est incorrect. Tu dois utiliser '영화를 볼 거예요'.
Elles sont pratiquement interchangeables. -기 마련이다 est un peu plus familier et courant à l'oral, tandis que -게 마련이다 peut paraître légèrement plus littéraire. Tu peux utiliser l'une ou l'autre sans souci.
Seulement si l'événement futur est un résultat destiné ou naturel. Par exemple,
Le printemps est voué à arriver
fonctionne.
Je suis voué à acheter une pizza
ne fonctionne pas.
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Refining Your Expression
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