[Korean grammar] -(으)ㄹ 법하다 Expressing Supposition and Possibility

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가: 황 박사님께서 올해도 캄보디아로 의료 봉사를 가신 다면서요?
Is it true that Dr. Hwang is going to Cambodia to do volunteer medical service again this year?

나: 네, 벌써 10년째시래요. 황 박사님은 병원 스케줄만으로도 정신이 없을 법한데 꼭 시간을 내셔서 봉사활동을 가시더 라고요.
Yes, it’s already his 10th year of doing so. Dr. Hwang ought to already be incredibly busy with just his hospital schedule, but he always makes time for volunteer work.

가: 캄보디아에 그렇게 여러번 가셨으면 앙코르와트 정도는 한 번 가 보셨을 법한데 오지에 들어가셔서 진료만 하시고 관광은 전혀 안 하셨다고 하더라고요.
Since he’s been to Cambodia so many times, then you’d think he should have already visited places like Angkor Wat, but he went to remote areas to give medical treatment, so, apparently, he hasn’t done any sightseeing whatsoever.

나: 뛰어난 수술 실력에다 사람들을 아끼는 마음까지 가지고 계시니 많은 동료 의사들이 존경할 법하네요.
With an otstanding ability to perform surgery combined with his strong concern for people, his doctor colleagues must obviously respect him highly.


This expression is used when it seems to the speaker that there is a strong possibility or reason that something will occur or will be the case. It is also used in the form -(으)ㄹ 법도 하다.


• 김 선수는 장시간 비행으로 피곤할 법한데 짐을 풀자마자 훈련을 하러 나갔다.
The athlete Kim should have been tired from the long flight, but she went out to train as soon as she finished unpacking her luggage.

• 그렇게 매일 붙어서 일을 하다 보면 두 사람 사이에 애정이 싹틀 법하지요.
It’s only natural that two people will develop affection for each other if they work close together like that every day.

• 5년이나 한국에서 살았으면 이제 한국 생활에 익숙해졌을 법도 한데 여전히 낯설기만 하다.
While I should have gotten used to the Korean lifestyle after living in Korea for 5 years, things are still unfamiliar for me.

>> You can click on the title of each grammar below to see other grammars which also express 'Supposition and Possibility'

1. -는 듯이 
2. -(느)ㄴ다는 듯이
3. -는 듯하다
4. -(으)ㄹ 게 뻔하다
5. -(으)ㄹ 법하다
6. -(으)ㄹ 리가없다
7. -기 십상이다

>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Advanced': Click here
>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Intermediate': Click here

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