Meaning and Usage
"마땅히" is an adverb used to express that something is due, proper, or appropriate according to social norms or moral expectations. It often implies a sense of obligation or correctness.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "마땅히" used when talking about duties, responsibilities, or rights that someone should fulfill or receive. It is common in formal or semi-formal speech.
Collocations and Patterns
- 마땅히 해야 할 일: the work one should properly do
- 마땅히 받아야 할 상: the award one deserves
- 마땅히 책임을 지다: to take responsibility as is proper
These collocations emphasize moral or social correctness.
Register and Nuance
"마땅히" is somewhat formal and often used in written or polite spoken Korean. It conveys a strong sense of what is right or expected, so it can sound firm or authoritative.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "마땅히" with similar adverbs like "당연히" (naturally, of course). While both express something expected, "마땅히" stresses moral or social obligation more strongly, whereas "당연히" can be more neutral or factual.