Worth doing: -ㄹ/을 만하다

This grammar acts like an auxiliary adjective. You attach it to the end of a verb stem. It describes the noun that comes before it. Or it describes the situation you are discussing. It transforms a simple action into a value judgment. You are saying the action has enough value. The value justifies the effort or the time spent. It is like a grammar traffic light. It gives a green light to try something out. It doesn't mean something is the best ever. It just means you won't regret doing it. Even native speakers use this to be polite. It sounds less pushy than a direct command. It offers a soft suggestion instead of a rule.

1. 1Find the verb stem of your chosen action.
2. 2Look at the final syllable of that stem.
3. 3Does the stem end in a vowel? Add -ㄹ 만하다 to the stem.
4. 4For example, 가다 (to go) becomes 갈 만하다 (worth going).
5. 5Does the stem end in a consonant? Add -을 만하다 to the stem.
6. 6For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹을 만하다 (worth eating).
7. 7Does the stem end in ㄹ? Just add 만하다 directly.
8. 8For example, 만들다 (to make) becomes 만들 만하다 (worth making).
9. 9Remember to keep a space between the ㄹ/을 part and 만하다.
10. 10This space is important for correct Korean spelling rules.

Use this when you want to recommend something. Imagine you are ordering food at a new cafe. You tried the spicy rice cakes. They were surprisingly tasty. Tell your friend, "이 떡볶이는 먹을 만해요." This means the food is worth eating. Use it when evaluating people for a task. If a coworker is reliable, say they are 믿을 만하다. This means they are "worthy of trust." It also works for difficult or painful situations. If a workout is hard but you can survive, it is 참을 만하다. This means the pain is "bearable." Use it in job interviews to describe skills. You can say your English is 쓸 만하다. This means your skills are "good enough to use."

Do not use this grammar with adjectives. You cannot say 예쁠 만하다 for "worth being pretty." Adjectives describe states, not actions with inherent value. Avoid using it for things that are truly terrible. If the food is gross, don't say it's 먹을 만하다. That would be very confusing for your listener. Don't use it for mandatory or obvious actions. You wouldn't say breathing is 숨 쉴 만하다. That sounds like a weird science fiction movie line. It is also not for things you absolutely hate. It implies a level of positive or neutral quality. If you are angry, this grammar is too soft. Use a stronger expression for your strong feelings.

Many people forget the space before 만하다. It should be 갈 만하다, not 갈만하다. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. Don't worry too much, but try to be precise. Another mistake is using it for ability. Don't confuse it with -ㄹ 수 있다. 먹을 수 있다 means you are physically able to eat. 먹을 만하다 means the food actually tastes good enough. Another error is using it with the wrong tense. Usually, we use the present tense for general recommendations. If you use past tense, the meaning changes slightly. 볼 만했다 means it was worth seeing back then. Stick to the present tense for current suggestions.

How does this differ from -ㄹ 가치가 있다? That phrase is much more formal and heavy. You use 가치가 있다 for big life decisions. Use it for things like "investing in a company." -ㄹ 만하다 is for daily things like movies or snacks. What about the pattern -아/어 볼 만하다? This is actually a very common combination. It combines "try doing" with "worth doing." 가 볼 만하다 means it is "worth trying to go." It sounds even more like a friendly suggestion. -ㄹ 만하다 is the foundation for these nuanced expressions. Think of it as the casual cousin of formal value. It is the perfect tool for everyday social life.