V+거늘

Overview

The connective ending -거늘 is used to indicate that the preceding clause serves as a reason or cause for the following statement. It is characterized by its highly formal and literary tone, making it uncommon in everyday modern Korean conversation.

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Usage

-거늘 presents the first clause as a given truth, an undeniable fact, or a significant circumstance that naturally leads to the situation or action described in the second clause. It often carries a nuance of lament, regret, or a strong justification, suggesting that the consequence is an inevitable outcome of the stated reason. While similar to other reason/cause endings like -아서/어서 or -(으)니까, -거늘 is much more formal and often implies a more profound or weighty reason. It is frequently found in historical texts, classical literature, proverbs, or very formal speeches where a solemn or emphatic tone is desired.

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Conjugation Rules

-거늘 attaches directly to the stem of verbs and adjectives.

• Verb/Adjective Stem + 거늘
  • Example: 가다 (to go) → 가거늘
  • Example: 좋다 (to be good) → 좋거늘
  • Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹거늘
  • Example: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁘거늘

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Knowledge Plus

-거늘 is an archaic and literary expression. Its usage has significantly declined in contemporary Korean. You will primarily encounter it in:

• Classical literature and historical texts: Where it was a common way to express causality.
• Proverbs and idioms: Some traditional sayings retain this form.
• Formal speeches or written works: When the speaker or writer wishes to evoke a sense of gravity, tradition, or a poetic tone.
• It often implies a sense of "given that X is true, then Y follows," with Y often being a lament, a strong assertion, or a rhetorical question. It's less about a simple factual cause and more about a foundational truth leading to a significant consequence.