TOPIK II · LEVEL 6
-거니와
-거니와 is a formal, mostly written connector that accepts the first fact as true and adds a second, usually similar fact: 'not only… but also…', 'granted that…, and moreover…'.
나열·첨가Listing & addingHan: -거니와 attaches directly to the stem even for verbs; learners add -는 by analogy with -는 데다가.
Examples
이 식당은 음식도 맛있거니와 가격도 저렴하다.This restaurant not only has delicious food but also low prices.
그는 실력도 뛰어나거니와 성품도 훌륭해서 동료들에게 존경을 받는다.He is not only highly skilled but also of fine character, so his colleagues respect him.
거듭 말하거니와 이번 사고는 한 개인의 잘못이 아닙니다.Let me say it again: this accident is not the fault of a single individual.
날씨도 춥거니와 길도 미끄러우니 운전에 각별히 주의하시기 바랍니다.It is cold, and the roads are slippery as well, so please drive with particular care.
Don’t mix up
-거니와vs-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라Same 'not only… but also' meaning, but neutral and fine in conversation; -거니와 sounds bookish. 그는 똑똑할 뿐만 아니라 성실해요.-거니와vs-는 데다가Common in speech and needs -는/-(으)ㄴ before it; -거니와 attaches straight to the stem and is formal. 비가 오는 데다가 바람도 불어요.
-거니와vs-거나Looks similar but offers a choice ('or'), not an addition. 주말에는 책을 읽거나 영화를 봐요.How to build it
V/A+거니와
N+(이)거니와
past: V/A+았/었거니와
맛있다 → 맛있거니와, 춥다 → 춥거니와, 말하다 → 말하거니와, 했다 → 했거니와
- Register: it belongs to writing, speeches and formal statements. In everyday conversation Koreans usually say -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 or -는 데다가 instead.
- It attaches directly to the stem of both verbs and adjectives, with no -는/-(으)ㄴ in between (가거니와, 좋거니와); past is marked on the stem (갔거니와).
- In the additive meaning both clauses usually point the same way (both positive or both negative) and are often marked with 도 … 도.
- The set phrase 다시/거듭 말하거니와 means 'let me say it again' and introduces a strong, emphatic statement.
Classic mistake
Wrong: 그는 노래도 잘 부르는거니와 춤도 잘 춘다.
Right: 그는 노래도 잘 부르거니와 춤도 잘 춘다.
-거니와 attaches directly to the stem even for verbs; learners add -는 by analogy with -는 데다가.
Practise -거니와 on real TOPIK questions
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All TOPIK grammar- -(으)나 -(으)나Two paired or opposite verbs/adjectives, each with -(으)나, mean 'whichever of these is the case, the following stays the same', which often amounts to 'regardless' or 'all the time'.
- -(으)락 -(으)락Joins two opposite actions or states to show that they keep switching back and forth.
- -(으)랴 -(으)랴Lists two (or more) tasks a person is juggling at the same time to stress that they are extremely busy or worn out.
- -(이)건 -(이)건N(이)건 N(이)건 lists two or more options and says that whichever one it is, the outcome stays the same.
- -(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯-(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯 describes something hovering on the edge of happening, so it seems to happen and not happen at the same time.
- -(으)려니와-(으)려니와 grants one fact and then adds another of the same kind on top of it: 'not only A, but also B' in a formal, literary tone.
- -는 둥 마는 둥Describes doing something so carelessly or half-heartedly that you can hardly say it was done at all.
- -는 데 그치지 않고Someone does not stop at one action but goes a step further to something bigger or more serious.
- -거니 -거니Shows two opposite or paired actions alternating back and forth again and again, often between two people or sides (like giving and taking).