-(으)ㄹ 만하다

Build it

When to use it

Attachment is the standard rule with the ㄹ short form: 만들다 gives 만들 만하다. Unlike 만큼, 만하다 is written joined to the modifier.

With verbs of experiencing — 보다, 읽다, 가다, 먹다 — it means worth doing: 그 영화는 볼 만해요.

With verbs of enduring — 참다, 견디다, and often 먹다 — it means tolerable: 아직 참을 만해요. Note that 먹을 만하다 can go either way, and usually means “edible, not bad” rather than “delicious.”

The praise is measured. 볼 만해요 recommends without enthusiasm — it is closer to “worth a look” than “you must see it.” Learners often read it as stronger than it is.

How to attach it

In use

1. 그 영화는 한번 볼 만해요.

   That film is worth a watch.

2. 아직은 참을 만해요.

   It’s still bearable for now.

3. 읽을 만한 책 좀 추천해 주세요.

   Could you recommend a book worth reading?

4. 맛은 그저 그렇지만 먹을 만해요.

   The taste is nothing special, but it’s edible.

5. 믿을 만한 사람이에요.

   He’s someone you can trust.

6. 이 정도면 집에서 만들 만해요.

   At this level it’s worth making at home.

Compared with

• -기 좋다

  -기 좋다 says something is easy or pleasant to do; -(으)ㄹ 만하다 says it meets a standard worth the effort.

  읽기 좋아요. (easy to read)  /  읽을 만해요. (worth reading)

• -(으)ㄹ 수 있다

  수 있다 is about ability; 만하다 is about worth or tolerance. 먹을 수 있어요 says you are able to eat it; 먹을 만해요 says it is passable.

  먹을 수 있어요. (I can eat it)  /  먹을 만해요. (it’s edible enough)

• -(으)ㄹ 가치가 있다

  A stronger, more formal way to say “worth doing.” 만하다 is milder and far more common in speech.

  볼 만해요. (worth a look)  /  볼 가치가 있습니다. (of genuine value)

Watch out

• 집에서 만들을 만해요.

  집에서 만들 만해요.

  A stem ending in ㄹ already supplies it, as with 만들 거예요 and 만들 뻔했어요.

• 그 영화 정말 최고예요. 볼 만해요!

  그 영화 정말 최고예요. 꼭 보세요!

  볼 만하다 is measured praise, closer to “worth a look.” It undercuts strong enthusiasm rather than supporting it.

• 읽을만한 책을 추천해 주세요.

  읽을 만한 책을 추천해 주세요.

  만하다 takes a space after the modifier, though it is written as one word itself: 읽을 만한.

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