Use this to add and emphasize an extra fact on top of the previous one in a formal/written tone. It's the archaic-literary version of '-(으)ㄹ뿐더러' or '뿐만 아니라', often seen in speeches, editorials, and literature. Both clauses must point in the same direction (positive↔positive or negative↔negative); it sounds awkward in casual speech. Examples: 학식이 깊거니와 인품도 훌륭하시다 / 이 정책은 실효성이 떨어지거니와 형평성에도 문제가 있다.
'-거니와' formally expresses that A is the case and B is also the case. Used mostly in speeches, editorials, and literature; in everyday speech '-뿐만 아니라' is more natural.
Rules
Verb/adjective stem + 거니와
좋다 (좋 = stem) → 좋 + 거니와 → 좋거니와
깊다 → 깊거니와 (deep)
훌륭하다 → 훌륭하거니와 (excellent)
풍부하다 → 풍부하거니와 (abundant)
Verb/adjective past + -았/었거니와
춥다 → 추웠 + 거니와 → 추웠거니와
읽다 → 읽었거니와 (read, past)
뛰어나다 → 뛰어났거니와 (was outstanding)
부족하다 → 부족했거니와 (was insufficient)
Noun + (이)거니와
기행 문학 (학 = with batchim) → 기행 문학 + 이거니와 → 기행 문학이거니와
학자 → 학자거니와 (a scholar and...)
전문가 → 전문가거니와 (an expert and...)
대표작 → 대표작이거니와 (a representative work and...)
Examples
실력도 좋거니와 태도도 성실합니다.
His skill is excellent, and his attitude is sincere as well.
경치도 아름답거니와 음식도 맛있습니다.
The scenery is beautiful, and the food is delicious too.
내용도 풍부하거니와 구성도 체계적입니다.
The content is rich, and the structure is systematic.
그분은 학식이 깊거니와 인품도 훌륭하십니다.
He has profound learning, and his character is also admirable.
이번 정책은 실효성이 떨어지거니와 형평성에도 문제가 있습니다.
This policy lacks effectiveness, and there are also problems with fairness.
-(으)ㄹ세라 — for fear that / lest-(으)ㄹ세라 — 우려·걱정 때문에
Use this in classical/written style to show that someone is being cautious or hurrying because they worry something might happen. It is the formal/poetic version of '-(으)ㄹ까 봐', mainly used in novels, poetry, and formal description. The following clause usually describes caution, haste, or avoidance. Examples: 아이가 깰세라 발끝으로 걸었어요 / 비밀이 새어 나갈세라 누구에게도 말하지 않았습니다.
Forms like '들킬세라' or '놓칠세라' mean acting carefully (or hurriedly) so as to avoid the worried-about situation. Used in novels, poems, and formal description.
Rules
Verb stem with batchim + 을세라
늦다 (늦 = with batchim) → 늦 + 을세라 → 늦을세라
잊다 → 잊을세라 (lest one forget)
앓다 → 앓을세라 (lest one fall ill)
받다 → 받을세라 (lest one receive)
Verb stem without batchim + ㄹ세라
깨다 (깨 = no batchim) → 깨 + ㄹ세라 → 깰세라
다치다 → 다칠세라 (lest one get hurt)
놓치다 → 놓칠세라 (lest one miss)
비판받다 → 비판받을세라 (lest one be criticized)
Verb stem ending in ㄹ (ㄹ drops) + ㄹ세라
알다 (알 = ㄹ ending) → 아 + ㄹ세라 → 알세라
울다 → 울세라 (lest one cry)
흔들다 → 흔들세라 (lest one shake)
만들다 → 만들세라 (lest one make)
Examples
다칠세라 조심했어요.
I was careful for fear of getting hurt.
늦을세라 서둘렀어요.
I hurried for fear of being late.
실수할세라 여러 번 확인했어요.
I checked many times for fear of making a mistake.
어머니는 아이가 깰세라 발끝으로 걸으셨어요.
Mother walked on tiptoe for fear the child would wake.
비밀이 새어 나갈세라 누구에게도 말하지 않았습니다.
For fear the secret might leak, I told no one.
See it in a conversationAdvisor recommendation-letter email
윤아
제임스 씨, 교수님께 추천서 요청 메일을 보내기 전에 문구 한번 봐 줘요.
James, before I send the recommendation request to the professor, could you check the wording?
제임스
네, 보여 주세요. 어떤 부분이요?
Sure, show me. Which part?
윤아
'교수님의 지도 덕에 연구 경험을 충분히 쌓았거니와, 최근 학회에서 발표 기회도 얻었습니다.' 이렇게 썼어요.
I wrote: 'Thanks to your guidance, I've accumulated ample research experience, and moreover recently I also obtained a conference presentation opportunity.'
제임스
자연스러워요. 다만 '괜한 부담이 될세라 조심스럽게 부탁드립니다' 같은 문장을 덧붙이면 더 공손해요.
It reads naturally. However, adding a line like 'for fear it might become an undue burden, I ask cautiously' would be more polite.
윤아
오, 좋네요. 혹시 불편하실세라 걱정되긴 했거든요.
Oh, nice. I was worried you might find it uncomfortable.
제임스
교수님도 이 문장에서 배려가 느껴질 거예요.
The professor will also feel the consideration in this line.
윤아
'연구 주제에 대한 이해를 충분히 쌓았거니와, 앞으로도 관련 분야에 지속적인 관심을 갖고 싶습니다.' 이 문장은요?
How about: 'I've sufficiently developed an understanding of the topic, and moreover I wish to maintain continuous interest in the field going forward.'?
제임스
역시 좋아요. 공식적이면서도 진정성 있게 느껴져요.
Also good. It reads formal yet sincere.
Check yourself퀴즈 — no signup needed
He has profound learning, ___ his virtue is also great.
거니와 — It accepts the prior fact and adds an even stronger one in formal/written register. It pairs naturally with the cumulative emphasis of 'not only deep learning but also virtue'.
I held the child's hand tightly ___ they fell.
세라 — A classical/written form meaning 'for fear that something might happen'. It is followed by careful actions ('be careful', 'hold tight', 'hold one's breath') taken because of that worry.
Holding my breath ___ I be caught, I crept forward.
세라 — A written-style expression meaning 'for fear that one might be caught'. Followed by cautious actions like 'hold one's breath / be careful'.
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