Formal Addition: `-려니와` (not only... but also)
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 in all modern contexts.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -려니와 to acknowledge a fact while adding another, often contrasting or reinforcing, point.
- Attach to verb/adjective stems: '먹다' becomes '먹으려니와'.
- Use for formal writing or speeches to sound sophisticated.
- The first clause is often a concession or a known fact.
Overview
At the C2 level of Korean proficiency, moving beyond simple communication to a mastery of rhetoric and literary nuance becomes essential. The connective ending -려니와 (ryeoniwa) is a prime example of such a sophisticated structure. Primarily found in formal literature, historical texts, and oratorical speech, it functions as an elegant equivalent to 'not only...
but also'.
However, its meaning is deeper than a simple addition. -려니와 is used to connect two facts where the first clause is presented as an accepted, acknowledged, or expected truth. The second clause then adds a further, often more significant, piece of information.
This creates a rhetorical effect of concession and amplification: "It is granted that A is the case, and furthermore, B is also true." Its use signals a high degree of formality and a literary sensibility, making it a critical pattern for understanding advanced texts, though it is almost never used in contemporary spoken Korean.
Think of it not as a direct substitute for the common -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 (eul ppunman anira), but as a specific tool for a specific context. Its nuance lies in the speaker or writer's assumption that the audience already accepts the first point, allowing for a more powerful introduction of the second. Mastering its recognition is a hallmark of a learner who can appreciate the full stylistic range of the Korean language.
How This Grammar Works
-려니와 stems from its etymological components, which have fossilized into a single grammatical pattern. Understanding this origin explains why it feels different from other additive connectors. The structure can be analyzed as a combination of three distinct historical elements:- 1
-(으)려-(ryeo-): This is a core component related to intention or presumption. In modern Korean, you see it in forms like-(으)려고 하다(to intend to do) and-(으)려나 보다(it seems like it will). In-려니와, this element imbues the first clause with a sense of being an expected, presumed, or self-evident fact. It’s not just a statement; it's a proposition that is taken for granted.
- 1
-니-(ni): This is part of an old nominalizing or connective form. It serves as a bridge, linking the presumptive state of-(으)려-to the final particle.
- 1
-와(wa): This is the classic particle for 'and' or 'with'. Here, it functions as the additive connector, linking the acknowledged first clause to the new information in the second clause.
-(으)려니와 creates the complex meaning: "(I) presume/expect that [Clause A] will be the case, and with that, [Clause B] is also true." This inherent sense of assumption is what separates it from more neutral connectors. For instance, in the sentence 그 산은 높으려니와 험하기도 하다 (The mountain is not only high, but also rugged), the implication is that its height is a known or obvious characteristic. The added information is its ruggedness.Formation Pattern
-려니와 is relatively straightforward, as its application is less complex than many other Korean endings. The primary challenge lies not in conjugation but in recognizing its correct, and often archaic, context. The rules depend on the stem of the verb or adjective.
-려니와 | 가다 (to go) | 가려니와 | garyeoniwa |
ㄹ ending) | Drop ㄹ, attach -려니와 | 살다 (to live) | 사려니와 | saryeoniwa |
-으려니와 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹으려니와 | meogeuryeoniwa |
ㅂ Irregular | ㅂ becomes 우, attach -려니와 | 아름답다 (to be beautiful) | 아름다우려니와| areumdawuryeoniwa|
ㅅ Irregular | ㅅ drops, attach -으려니와| 짓다 (to build) | 지으려니와 | jieuryeoniwa |
-으려니와, in classical texts and older writing, you may frequently see -려니와 used even after a consonant stem (e.g., 먹려니와). Recognizing this variation is crucial for accurate interpretation of historical documents.
이다 (to be)
이다 (ida), changing based on whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.
~이 + 려니와 becomes ~려니와 | 의사 (doctor) | 의사려니와 | uisaryeoniwa |
~이 + 려니와 becomes ~이려니와 | 학생 (student) | 학생이려니와 | haksaengiryeoniwa|
그는 학자이려니와 뛰어난 예술가이기도 했다. (He was not only a scholar, but also an outstanding artist.) The fact that he is a scholar (학자) is presented as the baseline, acknowledged fact, while his artistic talent is the added, significant layer.
When To Use It
-려니와 is confined to specific, high-formality registers. Using it outside of these contexts is a guaranteed way to sound unnatural or even comical to a native speaker. Its proper domain is almost exclusively written or prepared language.- Classical Literature and Poetry: This is the primary environment for
-려니와. It is used to lend gravity and elegance to prose and verse. Its rhythmic quality and formal tone are well-suited for literary expression. - Example:
인생은 짧으려니와 예술은 길다.(Life is not only short, but art is long.) Here, the shortness of life is a given, a universally accepted truth, used as a foundation to emphasize the permanence of art.
- Historical Texts and Records: When reading historical accounts, official proclamations, or scholarly works from previous eras, you will encounter
-려니와as a standard connective for linking related facts or events. - Example:
왕께서는 지혜로우시려니와 백성을 아끼는 마음 또한 깊으셨다.(His Majesty the King was not only wise, but his love for the people was also profound.)
- Formal Oratory and Speeches: In very formal public addresses, a speaker might use
-려니와to achieve a grand, rhetorical effect. It elevates the language and signals the gravity of the message. This is rare today but can be seen in speeches aiming for a particularly lofty or classical tone. - Example:
우리의 과업은 어려우려니와 그 책임 또한 막중합니다.(Our task is not only difficult, but its responsibility is also grave.)
- Everyday Conversation: Never use
-려니와in spoken conversation. It is entirely out of place. For 'not only, but also,' the correct choice is-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라or simply connecting clauses with-고and adding adverbs like또. - Business Communication: Standard business Korean prioritizes clarity and professionalism.
-려니와is too literary and archaic. Stick to modern, standard grammar in emails, reports, and presentations. - Social Media and Texting: Using
-려니와in a text or on social media would be jarring and likely interpreted as a joke. Modern digital communication requires direct, concise, and casual language.
Common Mistakes
-려니와 are less about formation and more about nuance and context. The most significant error is using it at all in modern, everyday contexts. Beyond that, there are subtle points of confusion.- 1Treating it as a Direct Replacement for
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 is a neutral, factual connector. -려니와 presupposes the first clause is an accepted fact. Attempting a 1:1 swap can make a sentence feel rhetorically awkward.- Awkward:
어제 본 영화는 재미있으려니와 배우들 연기도 훌륭했다.(The movie I saw yesterday was not only fun, but the actors' performances were also great.) - Analysis: The fun of the movie is a personal judgment, not a universally accepted fact. Using
-려니와here feels overly grand and misplaced. The natural choice is재미있었을 뿐만 아니라.
- 1Confusing
-려-with Future or Intentional Meanings
-(으)려- morpheme is historically related to intention, in -려니와 it is fossilized and does not express a future plan. It contributes to the 'presumptive' nuance.- Incorrect Interpretation:
그는 떠나려니와 다시 돌아오지 않을 것이다.does not mean "He intends to leave and also will not return." - Correct Interpretation: It means "It is a given that he will leave, and furthermore, he will not return." It connects two established future facts, rather than expressing an intention.
- 1Applying it to Trivial or Mundane Subjects
-려니와 requires a subject of appropriate weight. Using it for simple, everyday topics creates an ironic or humorous effect.- Incorrect (Humorous) Context:
이 떡볶이는 매우려니와 양도 많다.(This tteokbokki is not only spicy, but the portion is also large.) - Analysis: The spiciness of food is too mundane for this literary pattern. It sounds like you are writing an epic poem about a snack. The natural form is
매울 뿐만 아니라.
- 1Misunderstanding the Contrast with
-거니와
-거니와, also means 'and also' but lacks the 'concessive' or 'presumptive' nuance of -려니와. -거니와 is a more neutral, elegant listing of two facts, whereas -려니와 sets up the first fact as a baseline for amplifying the second. Confusing them means missing a key rhetorical distinction in advanced texts. (See FAQ for a direct comparison).Real Conversations
In modern, spontaneous conversation, -려니와 is effectively extinct. You will not hear it used between friends, colleagues, or family members. A speaker who used it would be perceived as play-acting, quoting a historical drama, or being deliberately eccentric.
So, how do people express this idea naturally? They use simpler, standard grammar.
Scenario
What you would NOT hear:
A
이번 프로젝트는 예산이 부족하려니와 기간도 너무 짧습니다. (This project not only has an insufficient budget, but its timeline is also too short.)*This would sound bizarrely formal and out of place. The colleague would likely be taken aback.
What you WOULD hear (The Natural Equivalent):
A
이번 프로젝트는 예산이 부족할 뿐만 아니라 기간도 너무 짧아요. (This project not only has an insufficient budget, but its timeline is also too short.)*- This is the most direct and standard equivalent, using -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라.
A
이번 프로젝트는 예산도 부족하고 기간도 너무 짧아요. (This project has an insufficient budget and the timeline is also too short.)*- An even simpler construction using -고 (and) with 도 (also) added for emphasis on both points.
A
예산이 부족한 건 물론이고, 기간까지 너무 짧아서 걱정이에요. (The budget being insufficient is a given, and on top of that, the timeline is so short that I'm worried.)*- This phrasing, using 물론이고 (is of course...) and -까지 (even/on top of that), comes closest to capturing the rhetorical nuance of -려니와 in a modern, natural way.
Quick FAQ
-려니와 form myself?Very rarely, but yes, in two specific situations. First, if you are writing a formal piece that intentionally mimics classical literary style (e.g., a creative writing project, a formal essay on a historical topic). Second, if you are quoting from a text that uses it. For all other productive purposes—speaking, emailing, modern writing—you should use modern equivalents. Your primary skill with -려니와 is receptive: understanding it perfectly when you read it.
-려니와 from the similar-sounding -거니와 when reading?This is an excellent question that targets a key C2-level distinction. Both are formal and additive. The difference is nuance:
-거니와(geoniwa): A neutral, elegant connector. It simply lists two facts or situations on equal footing. Think of it as a very formal 'and also'. Example:봄이 오니 꽃이 피거니와 새들이 노래한다.(Spring has come, so flowers are blooming and also birds are singing.)-려니와(ryeoniwa): A concessive, rhetorical connector. It assumes the first fact is already known or granted, and uses it as a springboard to introduce a second, often more important, fact. Example:그의 결심은 확고하려니와 어떤 반대도 통하지 않을 것이다.(It is a given that his decision is firm, and furthermore, no opposition will get through.)
-거니와 is for listing; -려니와 is for arguing or emphasizing.-(으)려- part is related to presumption. Is it connected to the common phrase -(으)려니 하고 생각하다 (to just assume that...)?Yes, absolutely. This is a brilliant connection to make. The grammar point -(으)려니 하다/생각하다 means 'to mistakenly assume' or 'to simply expect' something (e.g., 그가 올 거려니 하고 기다렸다 - I waited, just assuming he would come). This -(으)려니 component shares the exact same etymological root of presumption. Recognizing that this shared morpheme carries a nuance of 'assumption' or 'expectation' will help you intuitively grasp the feeling of both -려니와 and -(으)려니 하다.
Formation Table
| Stem Ending | Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Vowel
|
-려니와
|
가다 -> 가려니와
|
|
Consonant
|
-으려니와
|
먹다 -> 먹으려니와
|
Meanings
Used to acknowledge a situation in the first clause and then add a related or contrasting fact in the second clause.
Additive Concession
Acknowledging one quality/fact and adding another.
“그녀는 노래를 잘하려니와 춤도 잘 춘다.”
“이 옷은 비싸려니와 디자인도 별로다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)려니와
|
좋으려니와
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + 지 않으려니와
|
먹지 않으려니와
|
Formality Spectrum
음식이 맛있으려니와 건강에도 좋다. (Food review)
음식이 맛있고 건강에도 좋아요. (Food review)
음식이 맛있고 건강에도 좋아. (Food review)
음식 짱 맛있고 건강에도 굿. (Food review)
Usage Map
Usage
- Formal Formal
- Additive Additive
Examples by Level
그는 똑똑하려니와 착하다.
He is not only smart but also kind.
날씨가 덥으려니와 습하다.
The weather is not only hot but also humid.
이 책은 재미있으려니와 유익하다.
This book is not only fun but also informative.
그는 실력이 뛰어나려니와 성실하기까지 하다.
He is not only skilled but also diligent.
정부는 예산을 확보하려니와 정책을 재검토해야 한다.
The government must not only secure the budget but also re-examine the policy.
그는 명예를 중시하려니와 실리 또한 추구하는 인물이다.
He is a person who values honor but also pursues practical benefits.
Easily Confused
Very similar.
Common Mistakes
먹었으려니와
먹으려니와
가려니와요
가려니와
예쁘다려니와
예쁘려니와
먹고려니와
먹으려니와
가려니와
가려니와
춥었으려니와
춥으려니와
좋으려니와
좋으려니와
가려니와
가려니와
먹으려니와
먹으려니와
가려니와
가려니와
가려니와
가려니와
Sentence Patterns
___하려니와 ___하다.
Real World Usage
이 이론은 타당하려니와...
여러분은 똑똑하려니와...
일정이 촉박하려니와...
그는 고독하려니와...
상황이 심각하려니와...
주장이 타당하려니와...
Register
Smart Tips
Use -려니와 to show balance.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The '으' in '으려니와' is pronounced clearly.
Flat
Sentence ->
Neutral formal tone
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '려니와' as 'Ready-and-more'. You are ready to accept one point, and then you add more.
Visual Association
Imagine a scale. You put one weight on the left (the first fact), then add another weight on the right (the second fact) to balance it.
Rhyme
Formal tone, -려니와, add a fact, don't be shy-a.
Story
A professor is giving a lecture. He says, 'The theory is complex (복잡하려니와), it is also revolutionary (혁신적이다).' He uses -려니와 to show he has mastered the topic.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your favorite city using -려니와.
Cultural Notes
Used in thesis writing.
Derived from the verb '하다' and the suffix '려니'.
Conversation Starters
이 영화 어때요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그는 똑똑___ 성실하다.
이 옷은 비싸___ 디자인도 별로다.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 먹었으려니와 배가 고프다.
그는 예쁘고 착하다.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 이 책 어때요? B: ___.
날씨 / 춥다 / 바람 / 불다
-려니와 can be used in casual speech.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그는 똑똑___ 성실하다.
이 옷은 비싸___ 디자인도 별로다.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 먹었으려니와 배가 고프다.
그는 예쁘고 착하다.
그는 똑똑하려니와 성실하다.
A: 이 책 어때요? B: ___.
날씨 / 춥다 / 바람 / 불다
-려니와 can be used in casual speech.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises이 노트북은 가벼울 ___________ 성능도 좋아요.
This city is not only beautiful, but it's also clean.
어제 본 영화는 지루하려니와 너무 길었어요.
성격도 / 좋을 / 뿐만 아니라 / 그는 / 똑똑하다
Choose the best answer.
Match the columns.
그 가수는 ___________ 작곡도 잘해요.
산은 높으려니와 골은 깊었다.
이 휴대폰은 비쌀려니와 기능이 많아요.
Choose the most formal sentence.
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
No, it is too formal.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
nicht nur... sondern auch
Register usage.
non seulement... mais aussi
Syntax.
no solo... sino también
Formality.
のみならず
Particle usage.
不但...而且
Word order.
ليس فقط... بل أيضاً
Conjunction usage.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Formal Reasons (-gie)
Overview As a C1-level Korean learner, you are moving beyond basic communication and delving into the nuanced linguistic...
Elegant Additions: Beyond 'Not Only' (-거니와)
Overview At the C2 level of Korean proficiency, moving beyond simple conjunctions is essential for crafting arguments w...
Poetic Persistence: 'If one keeps doing...' (-노라면)
Overview `-노라면` (noramyon) is an advanced Korean connective ending that expresses a conditional relationship where a...
Advanced 'Not Only... But Also' (-거니와)
Overview In advanced Korean, moving beyond simple conjunctions is key to achieving fluency and eloquence. The connectiv...
The Formal 'But': Using -되 for Provisos
Overview The connective ending `-되` is a sophisticated tool in formal Korean used to introduce a proviso or a qualifyi...
