Core Pattern Rule: Expressing Negative Habits with -기 일쑤다
This pattern is used to express that an undesirable action or state occurs frequently, almost like a habit. It translates to phrases like "to be prone to doing...", "to do... all the time", or "to be in the habit of doing...".
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It highlights a recurring, negative tendency. The speaker is often frustrated or resigned about this repeated action.
When to use: Use it to talk about your own bad habits (like being late or forgetting things) or to describe a recurring problem (like a machine that always breaks down).
Formation
Simply attach -기 일쑤다 to the stem of any verb, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
지각하다 (to be late): 지각하 + -기 일쑤다 → 지각하기 일쑤다
잃어버리다 (to lose): 잃어버리 + -기 일쑤다 → 잃어버리기 일쑤다
끝나다 (to end): 끝나 + -기 일쑤다 → 끝나기 일쑤다
지각하기 일쑤야. / 물건을 잃어버리기 일쑤예요. / 작심삼일로 끝나기 일쑤야.
Native Nuance: Negative Situations Only
A crucial point for using -기 일쑤다 correctly is that it is reserved almost exclusively for negative or undesirable situations. Using it for a positive or neutral habit sounds unnatural and can be confusing.
Common Learner Mistake
Avoid using -기 일쑤다 to describe a good habit. For instance, saying 매일 운동하기 일쑤예요 (I exercise every day) is incorrect. It makes it sound like exercising every day is a bad thing you can't help doing.
The Correct Way
For negative habits: 실패하기 일쑤야. (I fail all the time.) - This is natural.
For positive/neutral habits: Instead, use expressions like 자주 ~어요 (I often...) or ~는 편이에요 (I tend to...). For the exercise example, you would say 매일 운동하는 편이에요 or 자주 운동해요.
This pattern carries a nuance of complaint, frustration, or resignation about the recurring event.
오해받기 일쑤야. / 돈이 부족하기 일쑤예요. / 고장 나기 일쑤야. / 혼나기 일쑤예요.