High Probability of Negative Results (-기 십상이다)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -기 십상이다 when you want to warn that a specific action will almost certainly lead to a bad result.
- Attach -기 십상이다 directly to the verb stem: '먹기 십상이다' (It's bound to be eaten/bad).
- Only use this for negative or undesirable outcomes, never for positive ones.
- It functions as a warning or a cynical observation about a situation.
Overview
Korean language learners at an advanced level require grammar that conveys nuanced predictions, particularly regarding unfavorable outcomes. The pattern -기 십상이다 (-gi ssipsangida) serves precisely this purpose, indicating a high probability or inevitability of a negative or undesirable result. It functions as a potent linguistic warning, suggesting that under certain conditions, a specific adverse event is highly likely to occur.
This C1-level grammar point significantly enhances your ability to express sophisticated judgments and anticipations. Unlike general future tense markers or expressions of simple likelihood, -기 십상이다 imbues the prediction with a sense of strong warning and near-certainty regarding a negative event. It is employed when the speaker perceives a clear, almost unavoidable path toward a problematic consequence stemming from an action, state, or circumstance.
The term 십상 (ssipsang) originates from the Sino-Korean phrase 십상팔구 (十常八九, ssipsangpalgu), literally meaning "eight or nine times out of ten." This etymology reinforces the pattern’s core meaning: the odds are heavily stacked towards an unwelcome outcome. Therefore, using -기 십상이다 is not merely stating a possibility; it is issuing a solemn prediction, often a cautionary one, based on observation and experience.
How This Grammar Works
-기 (-gi) attaches to a verb stem, turning the verb into a noun equivalent. This nominalized form then combines with 십상이다 (ssipsangida), which functions as a predicative adjective, asserting the high likelihood of the nominalized action’s occurrence.Verb Stem + -기 십상이다 primarily establishes a causal or conditional link where a preceding action or situation will, with near certainty, lead to a negative consequence. It is crucial to distinguish this from patterns that express simple ease or general probability. While -기 쉽다 (-gi swipda) might imply something is "easy to happen" or "likely to occur" in a neutral sense, -기 십상이다 carries a much heavier, almost ominous tone, always foregrounding potential danger or loss.-기, the speaker presents the potential negative action or state as a concrete entity, an inevitable reality. This allows 십상이다 to act as an objective comment on the high probability of this "entity" manifesting.조심하지 않으면 다치기 십상이다 (josimhaji aneumyeon dachigi ssipsangida), you're not just saying "you might get hurt"; you're asserting that getting hurt is a highly probable, almost natural, consequence of not being careful, treating "getting hurt" as an undeniable potential outcome.십상팔구 of the time.너무 서두르면 실수하기 십상이다 (neomu seodureumyeon silsuhagi ssipsangida) implies that rushing inherently increases the likelihood of making mistakes.Formation Pattern
-기.
넘어지다 – to fall, 잊다 – to forget).
-다 (-da) to obtain the verb stem (e.g., 넘어지-, 잊-).
-기 (-gi) to the verb stem (e.g., 넘어지기, 잊기).
십상이다 (ssipsangida) directly after the nominalized verb (e.g., 넘어지기 십상이다, 잊기 십상이다).
이다 (ida) can be conjugated for politeness levels and tense, though it is most commonly encountered in the present tense, reflecting its function as a contemporary warning or prediction.
놓치다 (to miss) | 놓치- | 놓치기 | 놓치기 십상이다 | nochigi ssipsangida | Apt to miss |
잃다 (to lose) | 잃- | 잃기 | 잃기 십상이에요 | ilgi ssipsangieyo | Likely to lose |
오해하다 (to misunderstand)| 오해하- | 오해하기 | 오해하기 십상입니다 | oehagi ssipsangimnida | Bound to misunderstand |
넘어지기 십상이었다 (neomeojigi ssipsangieotda) can be constructed to describe a past situation that was highly likely to lead to a negative outcome (e.g., "it was apt to fall"), this usage is less common. The strength of -기 십상이다 lies in its predictive and cautionary power for present and future scenarios.
When To Use It
- Issuing Warnings and Advice: When cautioning someone about a specific action or situation that will predictably lead to harm, failure, or regret. For example,
아무리 친한 친구라도 돈 거래를 하면 우정 금가기 십상이다(amuri chinhan chingurado don georaereul hamyeon ujeong geumgagi ssipsangida) – "Even with the closest friends, if you conduct money transactions, the friendship is apt to crack." This implies a high risk to the relationship.
- Identifying Risks and Vulnerabilities: In professional or analytical settings, to highlight potential pitfalls in a plan, project, or strategy. A project manager might state,
충분한 시장 조사 없이 신제품을 출시하면 실패하기 십상입니다(chungbunhan sijang josa eopsi sinjepumeul chulsihamyeon silpaehagi ssipsangimnida) – "If we launch a new product without sufficient market research, it is apt to fail." This conveys a strong, data-driven prediction of failure.
- Personal Self-Reflection/Self-Correction: To acknowledge one's own susceptibility to error or negative habits if certain conditions persist. For instance,
밤늦게까지 스마트폰을 보면 다음 날 피곤하기 십상이다(bamneojekkaji seumateupon-eul bomyeon daeum nal pigonhagi ssipsangida) – "If I look at my smartphone until late at night, I'm apt to be tired the next day." This is a personal recognition of a likely negative consequence.
- General Observations of Human Nature/Societal Trends (with a negative slant): Commenting on a common human tendency or societal pattern that frequently leads to adverse outcomes. For example,
인터넷에서 확인되지 않은 정보를 무조건 믿으면 속기 십상이다(inteoneseseo hwagindoeji aneun jeongboreul mujogeon mideumyeon sokgi ssipsangida) – "If you unconditionally believe unverified information on the internet, you're apt to be deceived."
Common Mistakes
- Using for Positive Outcomes: This is the most frequent and significant error. -기 십상이다 inherently carries a negative connotation and is used exclusively for undesirable results. Employing it for positive events sounds awkward and contradicts the pattern's core meaning. For example,
열심히 공부하면 합격하기 십상이다(yeolsimhi gongbuhamyeon hapgyeokhagi ssipsangida) – "If you study hard, you're apt to pass" – is incorrect because passing an exam is a positive outcome. For positive likelihood, use expressions like합격할 가능성이 높다(hapgyeokhal ganeungseongi nopda) or합격하기 쉽다(hapgyeokhagi swipda).
- Omitting the Nominalizer
-기: The기is not optional; it's fundamental to the grammar's structure.십상이다cannot attach directly to a verb stem. The verb must first be nominalized. For example, saying잊어버리 십상이다(ijeobeori ssipsangida) instead of잊어버리기 십상이다(ijeobeorigi ssipsangida) is grammatically incorrect. The-기transforms the verb잊어버리다(to forget) into the noun-like concept of "forgetting," which then십상이다describes as highly probable.
- Confusing
십상(ssipsang) with쉽상(swipsang): This is a phonetic trap. While쉽다(to be easy) might lead some to think of쉽상, the correct term is십상. The origin from십(十, ten) in십상팔구(ssipsangpalgu) is your key memory aid. Always associate -기 십상이다 with the number ten, indicating a 10-out-of-10 (or 8-out-of-10) likelihood of something going wrong.
- Using with Adjectives: -기 십상이다 typically applies to verbs, describing actions or processes that lead to a result. It is not generally used with descriptive adjectives. Instead of
피곤하기 십상이다(incorrect, "apt to be tired" – where피곤하다is an adjective), you would phrase it as피곤해지기 십상이다(pigonhaejigi ssipsangida) – "apt to become tired" (using the verb form), or감기 걸리기 십상이다(gamgi geolligi ssipsangida) – "apt to catch a cold" (describing an action).
- Overuse in Trivial Situations: While versatile, using -기 십상이다 for very minor, inconsequential negative events can sound overly dramatic or pedantic. Reserve it for situations where the negative outcome genuinely warrants a warning or serious consideration. A slight inconvenience might be better described with
-을 수도 있다(-eul sudo itda) or-기 쉽다.
Real Conversations
-기 십상이다 is not confined to formal writing; it is frequently encountered in various contemporary communication forms, from casual chats to professional discourse, albeit with appropriate shifts in politeness level. Its presence in everyday Korean underscores its practicality for expressing warnings and predicting negative consequences.
1. Casual Conversation (해체/해요체):
- 친구: 아, 요즘 잠을 너무 못 자. 피곤해 죽겠어. (A, yojeum jameul neomu mot ja. Pigonhae jukgesseo.) – "Ah, I haven't been able to sleep much lately. I'm dead tired."
- 나: 그러다가 감기 걸리기 십상이야. 일찍 자는 게 좋겠다. (Geureodaga gamgi geolligi ssipsangiya. Iljjik janeun ge jotgetda.) – "If you keep that up, you're apt to catch a cold. You should go to bed early."
2. Professional or Formal Settings (합니다체/해요체):
- 상사: 이 보고서, 마감 시간이 얼마 안 남았는데, 좀 대충 마무리할까? (I bogoseo, magam sigani eolma an namatneunde, jom daechung mamurihalkka?) – "This report, not much time left until the deadline, should we just quickly finish it up?"
- 동료: 아니요, 그렇게 대충 하면 중요한 부분을 놓치기 십상입니다. 검토 시간을 충분히 가져야 해요. (Aniyo, geureoke daechung hamyeon jungyohan bubun-eul nochigi ssipsangimnida. Geomto sigan-eul chungbunhi gajyeoya haeyo.) – "No, if you do it roughly like that, you're apt to miss important parts. We need to take enough time for review."
3. Social Media/Online Comments (Informal, often shortened):
- 댓글: 이거 가짜 뉴스라고 하는데, 무작정 믿으면 속기 십상임. (Igeo gajja nyuseurago haneunde, mujakjeong mideumyeon sokgi ssipsangim.) – "They say this is fake news, if you believe it without checking, you're apt to be deceived." (Note the common internet abbreviation 십상임 for 십상이다)
4. Public Safety Warnings/Informational Texts:
- 젖은 손으로 전기 제품을 만지면 감전되기 십상입니다. (jeojeun son-euro jeongi jepum-eul manjimyeon gamjeondoegi ssipsangimnida.) – "If you touch electrical products with wet hands, you are apt to be electrocuted." (Often seen in safety manuals or public advisories).
These examples illustrate how -기 십상이다 adapts to different registers while consistently conveying a strong, negative probability. The speaker uses it to express a cautionary judgment, often based on common sense or established risks.
Quick FAQ
- Can I use this with friends?
- Absolutely. Just adjust the politeness level to
십상이야(ssipsangiya) or십상이지(ssipsangiji) for casual speech. For example,너무 떠들면 선생님한테 혼나기 십상이야(neomu tteodeulmyeon seonsaengnimhante honnagi ssipsangiya) – "If you make too much noise, you're apt to get scolded by the teacher."
- Is it appropriate for business reports or formal writing?
- Yes, it is highly suitable for formal contexts, especially when identifying potential risks, downsides, or vulnerabilities. Use
십상입니다(ssipsangimnida) to maintain formality. It adds a professional tone when discussing potential negative outcomes.
- Why is it only used for negative outcomes?
- This is a fundamental semantic characteristic of
십상. Its etymological root,십상팔구("eight or nine times out of ten"), culturally evolved to signify a predominantly negative or problematic inevitability. Using it for positive events would sound contradictory or sarcastic.
- Can I use it to describe the weather?
- Only if the weather event is perceived as a negative or problematic outcome for your plans. For example, if rain would ruin your outdoor event,
비 오기 십상이다(bi ogi ssipsangida) (It's apt to rain) is acceptable as a warning. However, if rain is a welcome event, this pattern would be inappropriate.
- How does it compare to
-기 쉽다(-gi swipda)? -기 쉽다means "easy to do" or "likely to happen" and is neutral, applicable to both positive and negative scenarios (e.g.,감기 걸리기 쉽다– easy to catch a cold;배우기 쉽다– easy to learn). -기 십상이다 strictly denotes a high probability of a negative outcome with a strong warning tone. It’s like the difference between saying "it's likely to rain" (neutral,-기 쉽다) and "it's apt to rain and ruin everything" (negative, -기 십상이다).
- What about
-기 일쑤이다(-gi ilssuida)? -기 일쑤이다also describes a negative situation, but it emphasizes habitual or frequent occurrence.일쑤literally refers to a "daily routine" or "common custom." So,그는 늦잠자기 일쑤이다(geuneun neutjamjagi ilssuida) means "He often oversleeps" (it's his habit). -기 십상이다 focuses on the high probability of a negative event in a given situation, not necessarily as a recurring habit. While both convey negativity,일쑤이다highlights frequency, and십상이다highlights likelihood in a particular context.
- Is there a good memory trick for
십상? - Think of
십(十) meaning "ten." -기 십상이다 signifies a "ten out of ten" chance that something negative will go wrong. This direct association helps you recall both the form and the negative connotation of the grammar point.
Conjugation Table
| Verb Stem | Grammar | Full Form | Politeness |
|---|---|---|---|
|
먹다
|
-기 십상이다
|
먹기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
|
하다
|
-기 십상이다
|
하기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
|
가다
|
-기 십상이다
|
가기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
|
늦다
|
-기 십상이다
|
늦기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
|
실수하다
|
-기 십상이다
|
실수하기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
|
망하다
|
-기 십상이다
|
망하기 십상이다
|
Neutral
|
Meanings
This grammar is used to express that a certain action or situation has a very high probability of resulting in a negative or undesirable outcome.
Predicting Failure
Warning someone that their current path leads to a predictable negative consequence.
“무리하게 운동하면 다치기 십상이다.”
“준비 없이 시험을 보면 떨어지기 십상이에요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb-기 십상이다
|
실수하기 십상이다
|
|
Polite
|
Verb-기 십상이에요
|
실수하기 십상이에요
|
|
Formal
|
Verb-기 십상입니다
|
실수하기 십상입니다
|
|
Past (rare)
|
Verb-기 십상이었다
|
실수하기 십상이었다
|
|
Negative (warning)
|
Verb-기 십상이다
|
안 하면 망하기 십상이다
|
Formality Spectrum
실패하기 십상입니다. (Warning)
실패하기 십상이에요. (Warning)
실패하기 십상이야. (Warning)
망하기 딱 좋아. (Warning)
The 십상이다 Logic
Result
- 실패 Failure
- 오해 Misunderstanding
- 사고 Accident
Examples by Level
그렇게 하면 망하기 십상이에요.
If you do that, you're bound to fail.
비 오면 감기 걸리기 십상이다.
If it rains, you're likely to catch a cold.
너무 빨리 먹으면 체하기 십상이야.
If you eat too fast, you're bound to get indigestion.
지금 가면 늦기 십상이에요.
If you go now, you're bound to be late.
준비 없이 가면 고생하기 십상이다.
If you go without preparation, you're bound to suffer.
거짓말하면 들키기 십상이에요.
If you lie, you're bound to get caught.
그렇게 하면 오해받기 십상입니다.
If you do that, you're bound to be misunderstood.
밤새우면 다음 날 피곤하기 십상이죠.
If you stay up all night, you're bound to be tired the next day.
그런 태도로 일하면 해고당하기 십상이다.
If you work with that attitude, you're bound to get fired.
검증되지 않은 정보를 믿으면 속기 십상이에요.
If you trust unverified information, you're bound to be deceived.
무리한 계획은 실패하기 십상입니다.
Unreasonable plans are bound to fail.
대충 하면 실수하기 십상이에요.
If you do it carelessly, you're bound to make mistakes.
감정적으로 대응하면 일을 그르치기 십상이다.
If you respond emotionally, you're bound to ruin the work.
제대로 관리하지 않으면 금방 망가지기 십상이에요.
If you don't manage it properly, it's bound to break quickly.
익명성에 숨으면 비난하기 십상이죠.
People are bound to criticize when hiding behind anonymity.
기초가 없으면 응용하기 십상 어렵죠.
Without basics, it's bound to be difficult to apply.
여론을 무시하는 정책은 반발을 사기 십상이다.
Policies that ignore public opinion are bound to face backlash.
단기적인 성과에만 집착하면 장기적인 비전을 놓치기 십상입니다.
If you only focus on short-term results, you're bound to miss the long-term vision.
현장 경험 없이 이론만 앞세우면 탁상공론이 되기 십상이죠.
If you prioritize theory without field experience, it's bound to become empty talk.
소통이 부재하면 불신이 쌓이기 십상입니다.
If communication is absent, distrust is bound to accumulate.
관습에 안주하면 혁신을 저해하기 십상이다.
If you settle for tradition, you're bound to hinder innovation.
권력의 속성을 간과하면 부패하기 십상인 구조입니다.
If you overlook the nature of power, it's a structure bound to corrupt.
지나친 낙관주의는 현실 감각을 잃기 십상인 태도죠.
Excessive optimism is an attitude bound to lose touch with reality.
본질을 꿰뚫지 못하면 현상에 매몰되기 십상입니다.
If you cannot pierce the essence, you're bound to be buried in phenomena.
Easily Confused
Both predict outcomes.
Both mean inevitable.
Both express probability.
Common Mistakes
공부하기 십상이다
공부하기 좋다
행복하기 십상이다
행복하기 쉽다
십상이다 먹다
먹기 십상이다
사과 십상이다
사과하기 십상이다
성공하기 십상이에요
성공하기 쉬워요
비가 오기 십상이다
비가 오기 쉽다
늦기 십상이다
늦기 십상이에요
그렇게 하면 잘 되기 십상이다
그렇게 하면 잘 되기 마련이다
실패할 십상이다
실패하기 십상이다
그는 십상이다
그는 실수하기 십상이다
이 정책은 성공하기 십상이다
이 정책은 성공하기 마련이다
그는 십상인 사람이다
그는 실수를 자주 하는 사람이다
그것은 십상으로 나쁘다
그것은 나쁘기 십상이다
십상이다 실패
실패하기 십상이다
Sentence Patterns
___하면 ___하기 십상이다.
그렇게 ___하면 ___하기 십상이에요.
___은/는 ___하기 십상인 행동입니다.
___에 집착하면 ___하기 십상입니다.
Real World Usage
그런 댓글 달면 차단당하기 십상이야.
준비 없이 발표하면 망하기 십상입니다.
그렇게 먹으면 체하기 십상이다.
예약 안 하면 자리 없기 십상이에요.
밤새우면 다음 날 피곤하기 십상이죠.
너무 밀당하면 오해받기 십상이야.
Negative Only
Not for Weather
Use with 'If'
Tone Check
Smart Tips
Use -기 십상이다 to sound like a native.
Pair it with -면.
Use it to show you know the outcome.
Use it to warn about long-term effects.
Pronunciation
Linking
십상이다 is pronounced [십쌍이다].
Warning
실패하기 십상이야↘
Falling intonation shows certainty.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '10' (십) and 'Always' (상). 10 out of 10 times, it's a bad result!
Visual Association
Imagine a person walking on a path with a giant 'X' sign at the end. The sign says '십상'.
Rhyme
Doing it wrong, it won't be long, 십상이다 is the song.
Story
Min-su decided to cook without a recipe. His friend warned him, 'That's 십상이다!' Min-su ignored him. The kitchen caught fire. Min-su realized his friend was right.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today about things you think are 'bound to fail' if done incorrectly.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this to show they are looking out for others.
십상 (十常) means 'ten out of ten' or 'always'.
Conversation Starters
시험 준비 안 하면 어떻게 될까?
너무 빨리 먹으면 어때?
거짓말을 하면 어떤 결과가 올까?
준비 없이 여행 가면 어떨 것 같아?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그렇게 하면 ___ 십상이다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
성공하기 십상이에요.
늦다 / 십상이다 / 가면
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
What is the tone of 십상이다?
거짓말하면 ___ 십상이다.
오해 / 사다 / 십상이다
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그렇게 하면 ___ 십상이다.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
성공하기 십상이에요.
늦다 / 십상이다 / 가면
Match.
What is the tone of 십상이다?
거짓말하면 ___ 십상이다.
오해 / 사다 / 십상이다
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises시간표를 확인 안 하면 수업을 ________ 십상이다.
밤을 새우면 다음 날 졸기 쉽상이다.
십상이에요 / 오해하기 / 말하면 / 그렇게
Translate the sentence using -기 십상이다.
In which situation would you use this grammar?
Match the pairs:
주식 투자를 무리하게 하면 돈을 ________ 십상이다.
착한 일을 하면 복 받기 십상이야.
버리기 / 잊어 / 우산을 / 십상이다
Translate the sentence.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it is strictly for negative outcomes.
It can be used in all registers.
It means 'ten out of ten'.
No, 쉽다 is neutral.
No, weather is not a negative result.
Yes, very common in daily life.
It will sound very strange.
It is rare but possible.
Scaffolded Practice
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4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Es muy probable que...
Korean is strictly negative.
Il est fort probable que...
Korean is strictly negative.
Es ist unvermeidlich...
Korean is strictly negative.
十中八九...
Korean is a sentence ending.
十之八九...
Korean is a sentence ending.
من المرجح جداً...
Korean is a sentence ending.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Bound to happen (-게 마련이다)
Overview This advanced Korean grammar pattern, `-게 마련이다` (`-ge maryeonida`), encapsulates the concept of **inevitab...
Qualitative Assessment: -ㄴ/은/는 셈이다
Overview Imagine you are at a cafe. You buy a latte for 6,000 won. The barista gives you a coupon for a free latte next...
It Depends on How... (-기 나름이다)
Overview At the advanced stages of learning Korean, moving beyond simple conditional statements is crucial for expressi...
The Prophetic Connector (-l/euljini)
Overview `-(으)ㄹ지니` is a highly formal and archaic conjunctive ending in Korean, serving to connect a preceding claus...
Solemn Promises to Juniors: -(으)마
Overview The sentence ending `-(으)마` is a first-person declarative form used to make a solemn promise or express stro...
