-(으)ㄹ 법하다
Used when there's a strong reason for something to happen or be true. It suggests that a situation is very likely or completely understandable.
Summary
Equivalent
Highly likely..., It's quite possible that..., It's natural to...
Also: -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 · -(으)ㄹ 게 틀림없다
Example
Since they've lived in Korea for 10 years, it's natural that they know Korean culture well.
한국에서 10년 살았으니 한국 문화를 잘 알 법해요.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'Given the circumstances, it's very reasonable to assume [X].' It lacks the negative nuance of '-(으)ㄹ 게 뻔하다' and is more about logical possibility or natural results.
Patterns
V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)
현재 (Present) · -(으)ㄹ 법하다
V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)
과거 (Past) · -았/었을 법하다
Example sentences
Since they've lived in Korea for 10 years, it's natural that they know Korean culture well.
한국에서 10년 살았으니 한국 문화를 잘 알 법해요.
That's the kind of thing anyone could have reasonably made a mistake on at least once.
그 일은 누구나 한 번쯤은 실수를 했을 법한 일이에요.
It would have been natural for him to get angry, but he held it in until the end.
그는 화를 낼 법도 한데 끝까지 참더라고요.
Conversation
A: Could this rumor be true?
이 소문이 정말일까요?
B: I don't think it's completely groundless. It's something that could very well have happened.
전혀 근거 없는 이야기는 아닌 것 같아요. 충분히 일어날 법한 일이죠.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct 'highly likely / reasonable' phrase.
It's understandable someone would quit.
Possible he already heard the news.