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LEVEL 7 LESSON 3

In this lesson we are looking at the structure -(으)ㄹ 만하다. This structure has a variety of
meanings and it is very important to pay close attention to the context in order to understand
what kind of meaning is intended.

Generally, -(으)ㄹ 만하다 means that there is enough reason or justification for a certain situa-
tion or that something is doable or possible, but mainly in the sense of being “bearable” to do.

Examples
가다

→ 갈 만하다 [gal man-ha-da]

= to be possible to go
= to be worth going (and checking out the place)
= there is enough justifiable reason for one to go

먹다

→ 먹을 만하다 [meo-geul man-ha-da]

= to be edible
= to taste okay (the taste is bearable)
= the taste is acceptable

늦다

→ 늦을 만하다 [neu-jeul man-ha-da]

= to be forgivable for being late
= there is enough reason for being late

놀라다

→ 놀랄 만하다 [nol-lal man-ha-da]

= to be natural to be surprised/shocked
= there is enough reason for being surprisd/shocked

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TalkToMeInKorean.com - Free Korean Lesson Notes
LEVEL 7 LESSON 3

Sample Sentences
1. 그럴 만해요.
[geu-reol man-hae-yo.]
= It’s understandable to be so.
= It’s possible.
= There is enough reason for it to be so.

2. 그 사람은 인기가 있을 만해요.

[geu sa-ra-meun in-gi-ga i-sseul man-hae-yo.]
= There is enough reason that he is popular.
= It’s understandable why he is popular.

3. 이 책 읽을 만해요?
[i chaek il-geul man-hae-yo?]
= Is this book worth reading?
= Is this book good?
= Do you recommend this book?

4. 괜찮아요. 참을 만해요.
[gwaen-cha-na-yo. cha-meul man-hae-yo.]
= I’m okay. It’s endurable.
= I’m okay. It’s bearable.

5. 가족끼리 한 번쯤 갈 만해요.
[ga-jok-kki-ri han beon-jjeum gal man-hae-yo.]
= (The place) is worth visiting once (or twice) with family.

This PDF is to be used along with the MP3 audio lesson available at TalkToMeInKorean.com.
Please feel free to share TalkToMeInKorean’s free Korean lessons and PDF files with anybody who
is studying Korean. If you have any questions or feedback, visit TalkToMeInKorean.com.