-기 일쑤이다
Often, Frequently
-기 일쑤이다 indicates that something happens frequently, almost habitually. It's mainly used for negative or unwanted situations.
How It Works
The structure is Verb Stem + -기 일쑤이다.
This pattern is used to describe an action or event that happens so often it has become a habit or a regular occurrence. The key feature of -기 일쑤이다 is its strong negative connotation. You would not use it to describe positive habits like exercising regularly or studying hard.
Usage Nuances:
- Negative Context: It's almost exclusively used for things you wish didn't happen so often, such as making mistakes, being late, forgetting things, or getting sick.
- Conjugation: The pattern conjugates like the copula 이다. For example:
- -기 일쑤예요 (polite informal)
- -기 일쑤입니다 (polite formal)
- -기 일쑤였다 (past tense)
For example, saying '늦기 일쑤이다' implies not just being late once, but that being late is a recurring, problematic habit.
If you want to talk about a neutral or positive habit, you would use an adverb like '자주' (often) or a different grammar pattern like -곤 하다.
Examples (4)
- 그는 약속 시간에 늦기 일쑤이다.
He is frequently late for appointments.
Word by Word: He appointment time at be-late is a common practice.
This implies that being late is a regular, negative habit for him.
- 피곤하면 작은 실수를 하기 일쑤예요.
When I'm tired, I frequently make small mistakes.
Word by Word: Tired-if small mistakes do is a common practice.
- 요즘 정신이 없어서 물건을 깜빡하기 일쑤이다.
I'm so distracted these days that I frequently forget things.
Word by Word: These days mind is not-there so things forget is a common practice.
- 어렸을 때는 동생과 싸우기 일쑤였다.
When I was young, I frequently fought with my younger sibling.
Word by Word: Young-when younger sibling with fight was a common practice.
The past tense -였다 is used to describe a habitual action in the past.
Common Mistakes
Using -기 일쑤이다 for positive or neutral habits.
Not Quite그녀는 매일 아침 운동하기 일쑤이다.Better그녀는 매일 아침 운동을 하곤 한다.-기 일쑤이다 has a strong negative nuance. For positive or neutral recurring actions, it's more natural to use adverbs like '자주' (often) or the grammar pattern -곤 하다.
Using -기 일쑤이다 with adjectives (descriptive verbs).
Not Quite겨울에는 날씨가 춥기 일쑤이다.Better겨울에는 날씨가 추운 날이 많다.This pattern describes a habitual action, so it is used with action verbs. To describe a frequent state (like cold weather), it's more natural to say 'there are many days that are [adjective]' (-ㄴ/은 날이 많다).
Learn This First
To express frequency 'often/frequently', you need nominalization and 이다.
Related Patterns
- -곤 하다Used to, Often Do
Contrast. Both express habitual actions. However, -곤 하다 is neutral and often used for reminiscing about past habits, while -기 일쑤이다 is almost exclusively for current, negative habits.
- -는 편이다Tend to, Rather
Contrast. -는 편이다 expresses a general tendency ('I tend to...'), which is a softer statement. -기 일쑤이다 is much stronger, emphasizing the high frequency of a problematic habit.
- -아/어 버리다Do Completely, Finish Up
Similar Nuance. -아/어 버리다 adds a nuance that an action is completed, often with a sense of regret. It can be combined with this pattern (e.g., 잊어버리기 일쑤이다) to emphasize the finality and undesirability of the repeated negative action.