What's easily gained is easily lost (It's a natural rule that...)

This grammar pattern is used to state a general truth, a natural law, or an inevitable outcome. It translates to "it is a rule that...", "it's natural that...", or "is bound to...". It adds a sense of wisdom or life experience to the statement.

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: It expresses that a certain phenomenon or result is a matter of course or a universal principle. It’s not about a specific, one-time event but a general rule that applies broadly.

When to use: Use it when sharing life lessons, explaining natural phenomena, or stating a common-sense rule about the world. It often appears in proverbs or words of advice.

Conjugation Rules

Rule: Attach ~는 법이다 directly to the stem of an action verb, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant. For descriptive verbs (adjectives), you typically use a different structure like ~기 마련이다.

Action Verb Stem + ~는 법이다: 가다 → 가는 법이다 / 먹다 → 먹는 법이다

~는 법이다 is for universal truths, not personal habits or specific situations.

Stating General Principles (Correct Usage)

Context: Use this pattern when you're talking about how the world works, human nature, or cause-and-effect that applies to everyone, not just yourself. It sounds like you're sharing a piece of wisdom.

Example: 사람은 누구나 실수를 하는 법이다. (It's natural that everyone makes mistakes.)

Describing Personal Habits (Incorrect Usage)

Context: Do not use ~는 법이다 to describe your own routine or a specific person's habit. It makes you sound arrogant, as if your personal habit is a universal law. For personal tendencies, use ~는 편이다 (tend to) or simply state the fact.

Do: 겨울이 오면 날씨가 추워지는 법이다. (It's a rule that the weather gets cold when winter comes.) (O) / Don't: 저는 아침에 커피를 마시는 법이에요. (I am bound to drink coffee in the morning.) (X)

This pattern often pairs with adverbs that emphasize its universal or natural quality.

원래 (Originally, Naturally) + ~는 법이다