Korean Grammar “-거니와”: Meaning and Usage (TOPIK 6)

Pattern: -거니와Level: TOPIK level 6

How to attach it

Attach the pattern to the verb stem, which is the dictionary form without 다. Compare how each verb below changes depending on its last sound.

Dictionary form	Meaning	With this pattern	Romanization
보다	to see, to watch	보거니와	bogeoniwa
읽다	to read	읽거니와	ikgeoniwa
하다	to do	하거니와	hageoniwa
살다	to live	살거니와	salgeoniwa

What changes

This ending attaches directly to the stem. Nothing changes, whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

Explanation

그 선수는 실력이 뛰어나거니와 인품도 훌륭합니다.

“-거니와” means “not only ~ but also ~” and, in a formal written register, grants the first fact and then adds a second one (close to “-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라”). The sentence means “That player is outstanding in ability and has excellent character too.” “-더니” links a past observation to its result and “-고자” expresses purpose, so neither gives the “addition” meaning.

Pronouncing the example sentence

Example sentence: 그 선수는 실력이 뛰어나거니와 인품도 훌륭합니다.

Syllables: 21 · Words: 6

In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.

Syllable	Letters (consonant + vowel + final)	Romanization
그	ㄱ+ㅡ	geu
선수는
선	ㅅ+ㅓ+ㄴ	seon
수	ㅅ+ㅜ	su
는	ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ	neun
실력이
실	ㅅ+ㅣ+ㄹ	sil
력	ㄹ+ㅕ+ㄱ	[려] lyeo
이	ㅇ+ㅣ	[기] gi
뛰어나거니와
뛰	ㄸ+ㅟ	ttwi
어	ㅇ+ㅓ	eo
나	ㄴ+ㅏ	na
거	ㄱ+ㅓ	geo
니	ㄴ+ㅣ	ni
와	ㅇ+ㅘ	wa
인품도
인	ㅇ+ㅣ+ㄴ	in
품	ㅍ+ㅜ+ㅁ	pum
도	ㄷ+ㅗ	do
훌륭합니다
훌	ㅎ+ㅜ+ㄹ	hul
륭	ㄹ+ㅠ+ㅇ	lyung
합	ㅎ+ㅏ+ㅂ	[함] ham
니	ㄴ+ㅣ	ni
다	ㄷ+ㅏ	da

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Sound changes in this phrase

Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 력이 → [려기]
Nasalization: a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ becomes ㅇ, ㄴ or ㅁ before ㄴ or ㅁ (and a ㄹ after ㅁ or ㅇ becomes ㄴ). 합니 → [함니]

Politeness level of the example

Style: Formal polite (합쇼체)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -ㅂ니다 or -습니다. The most formal polite style, used for announcements, presentations, business and first meetings.

Words in the example sentence

These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).

Korean	Part of speech	Meaning	Level
선수	noun	athlete, player	TOPIK level 4

Practice

Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.

Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 그 선수는 실력이 뛰어나____ 인품도 훌륭합니다.

Show the answer

Answer: 그 선수는 실력이 뛰어나거니와 인품도 훌륭합니다.

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