-는 법이다
The Way to, How to
-는 법이다 is used to talk about a method ('how to') or to state a general truth ('it's natural that...').
How It Works
The grammar pattern -는 법이다 has two primary functions, both stemming from the noun '법', which can mean 'method/way' or 'law/principle'.
1. Meaning: 'The way to / How to'
When '법' is interpreted as 'method' or 'way', this pattern is used to describe how to do something. It is often used with verbs like 알다 (to know), 모르다 (to not know), 배우다 (to learn), and 가르치다 (to teach).
- Formation: Attach -는 directly to an action verb stem, followed by 법.
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 법 (the way to go)
- 만들다 (to make) → 만드는 법 (how to make)
This usage is very similar to '-는 방법'.
2. Meaning: 'It is natural that... / It is a rule that...'
When '법' is interpreted as 'law' or 'principle', this pattern expresses a general truth, a natural consequence, or something that is bound to happen. It's often used in proverbs or when stating a universal observation.
- Example: '고생 끝에 낙이 오는 법이다.' (It's a rule that pleasure comes after hardship.)
- Example: '가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 고운 법이다.' (It's natural that what goes around comes around; lit. the departing word must be beautiful for the coming word to be beautiful.)
In this sense, it asserts that the action described by the verb is an expected or inevitable outcome according to the 'laws' of nature or society.
Examples (4)
- 김치 만드는 법을 아세요?
Do you know how to make kimchi?
Word by Word: Kimchi making method do you know?
Here, '-는 법' is used to ask about the method or 'how to' do something.
- 시간이 지나면 모든 것은 변하는 법이다.
It's natural for all things to change as time passes.
Word by Word: Time if passes all things changing is the rule.
This usage expresses a general truth or a natural law. It's not about a method, but about something that is bound to happen.
- 이 기계를 사용하는 법을 가르쳐 주세요.
Please teach me how to use this machine.
Word by Word: This machine using method please teach me.
- 열심히 노력하면 성공하는 법이다.
If you work hard, you are bound to succeed.
Word by Word: Diligently if you try, succeeding is the rule.
Common Mistakes
Confusing '-는 법을 모르다' (not know how to) with '-ㄹ 수 없다' (cannot).
Different Meaning저는 수영하는 법이 없어요.Better저는 수영하는 법을 몰라요. / 저는 수영할 수 없어요.'-는 법을 모르다' means you lack the knowledge or method. '-ㄹ 수 없다' means you lack the ability or permission. While related, they are not interchangeable. The incorrect sentence is unnatural; you should say you 'don't know the method' (법을 몰라요) or you 'cannot do' it (할 수 없어요).
Using -는 법이다 with adjectives.
Different Meaning겨울은 추운 법이다.Better겨울이 지나면 봄이 오는 법이다.This pattern attaches to action verbs, not descriptive verbs (adjectives). To say 'Winter is cold,' you would just say '겨울은 춥다.' The pattern describes a natural law of an action happening, like 'Spring comes after winter.'
Learn This First
To express 'the way to, how to', you need verb modification and 이다 knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -는 것Thing of -ing
Both are nominalizing phrases using -는. However, -는 것 is a general nominalizer ('the act of doing' or 'the thing that one does'), while '-는 법' is specific to 'the method/way of doing'.
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다Can/cannot
Often confused. '-는 법을 알다/모르다' refers to knowing the method or procedure. -ㄹ 수 있다/없다 refers to ability or possibility. You might know how to swim (수영하는 법을 알다) but be unable to because the pool is closed (수영할 수 없다).
- -기Nominalizer
-기 is another nominalizer that turns a verb into a noun (e.g., 말하기 - speaking). '-는 법' is more specific, creating a noun phrase that means 'the method of doing' (e.g., 말하는 법 - the way to speak).