-기 일쑤이다

Often Happens in a Negative Way

Explanation

This expression is used to indicate that something occurs often or regularly happens.

It is mainly used in a negative sense to express that an undesirable action occurs repeatedly.

A variety of forms are used, including -기가 일쑤이다, -기 일쑤다 and -기가 일쑤다.

It only attaches to verbs.

Details

This expression contains a negative nuance, so it sounds awkward when used in positive situations.

그 친구는 무슨 일이든지 열심히 해서 칭찬받기 일쑤다. ✕
→그 친구는 무슨 일이든지 열심히 해서 칭찬을 자주 받는다. ✓

Kimchi Reader

Used to show that something happens often, usually in a bad way.

Details

Alternate form

There are a other variety of this forms which are -기가 일쑤이다, -기 일쑤다 and -기가 일쑤다

Examples
친구가 약속을 <span class='focus'>잊기 일쑤예요</span>.
My friend often forgets appointments.
동생은 물건을 <span class='focus'>잃어버리기 일쑤예요</span>.
My younger sibling often loses things.
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 세린느 씨 남편은 아주 꼼꼼하고 침착하신 것 같아요.<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 말도 마세요. 그렇게 보여도 어찌나 덜렁대는지 자꾸 물건을 어디에 놓고 오<span class='focus'>기 일쑤예요</span>. 지난달만 해도 똑같은 책을 세 권이나 샀다니까요.<br><br><span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 어머, 그래요? 오히려 세린느 씨가 그럴 것 같은 데…".<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 호호호. 사실 저도 휴대 전화를 어디에 놓았는지 잊어버려서 벨이 울릴 때마다 찾<span class='focus'>기 일쑤예요.</span> 부부는 닮는 다고 하잖아요.
A: Celine, your husband seems really meticulous and composed. B: You don't know the half of it. He may appear that way, but he's actually really careless and always leaves things everywhere. Just last month, he bought the same book three times. A: Oh, really? But you seem to be the one who's more like that... B: Ha-ha. Actually, I often forget where I left my mobile phone and always have to find it when it rings. Don't they say that married couples become similar?

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