-는 법이다 — it is natural that, it's inevitable that

This expression indicates that some action or state of affairs is already decided to be a certain way or that it's only natural that it will become so. It is usually used when stating natural laws, universal truths, or general principles. It is also often used in Korean proverbs.

Details

1. This expression can only be used when the subject refers to general things or categories and not when it refers to something specific.

그 신부는 원래 예쁜 법이에요. ✕

2. When this expression is used in a negative sentence, the form '-지 않는 법이다' is used.

어떤 일도 고난 없이는 이루어지는 법이 아니다. ✕

3. This expression cannot be used in interrogative, imperative, or propositive sentences.

열심히 하는 사람이 성공하는 법입니까? ✕

열심히 하는 사람이 성공하는 법이십시오. ✕

열심히 하는 사람이 성공하는 법입시다. ✕

4. This expression can only be used in the present or past tense because it indicates that something based on the speaker's accumulated past experience through the present can be reduced to a generalizable rule.

잊지 못할 것 같던 사율의 추억도 시간이 지날수록 차츰 잊혀지는 법일 거예요. ✕

This expression can be freely replaced with -기 마련이다 without a major change in meaning. Specifically, compared to -기 마련이다, -는 법이다 is used more when describing something resembling a natural law or principle.

Kimchi Reader

Indicates that a certain situation or outcome is expected, natural, or bound to happen.