haru Korean › Grammar › Level 4B › N(으)로써

N(으)로써 — by means of · through — how something is done, in formal Korean

By means of · through — how something is done, in formal Korean. Korean grammar for upper intermediate learners — Level 4B, lesson 1: 소중한 환경 (Our precious environment — changing plans and formal reasons).

What it means

N(으)로써 marks the means or method by which something is done — 'by (means of), through, with': 두 나라는 대화로써 문제를 해결했다 'the two countries settled the problem through dialogue'. It is a stronger, more formal relative of N(으)로 (Lesson 1B-11), so it belongs to writing, speeches, notices and slogans; in everyday talk plain (으)로 is usual (대화로 해결했어요), and for transport (버스로) 로써 sounds odd. After a 받침 use 으로써 (노력으로써), after a vowel or ㄹ use 로써 (대화로써, 말로써). To use a verb, first turn it into a noun with -(으)ㅁ (Lesson 3B-11): 종이컵을 쓰지 않음으로써 쓰레기를 줄인다 'by not using paper cups, we cut down on rubbish' — the most common written pattern of all. 이로써 'with this, hereby' opens or closes formal announcements: 이로써 오늘 행사를 마치겠습니다. (으)로써 can also mark a material in old-fashioned writing, but for materials (으)로 is normal. Don't confuse it with N(으)로서 'as (in the role of)', which sounds almost the same; you will meet it in Lesson 4B-10 — for now, remember 써 = means, 서 = role. Because it is a particle, the verb at the end takes any tense.

Forms

Key points

• N(으)로써 = by means of, through — a formal relative of N(으)로 (Lesson 1B-11). 받침 O → 으로써 (노력으로써) · 받침 X or ㄹ → 로써 (대화로써 · 말로써). It suits notices, speeches, essays and slogans.
• For a verb, first make it a noun with -(으)ㅁ (Lesson 3B-11): 씀으로써 · 줄임으로써 · 이용함으로써. 이로써 = with this, hereby. Don't mix it up with (으)로서 'as (a role)' in Lesson 4B-10: 써 = means, 서 = role.

Examples

• 무엇으로 어떤 일을 하는지 딱딱하게 말할 때 써요: 두 나라는 대화로써 문제를 해결했다.
• 받침 O → 으로써: 노력으로써 · 받침 X · ㄹ 받침 → 로써: 대화로써 · 말로써
• 1B 11과 N(으)로와 뜻이 비슷해요. 그런데 더 딱딱해서 발표 · 안내문 · 글에 많이 써요.
• 동사는 -(으)ㅁ(3B 11과)을 붙인 다음에 써요: 종이컵을 쓰지 않음으로써 쓰레기를 줄인다.
• 이로써 = 이것으로: 이로써 오늘 행사를 마치겠습니다.
• 「로써」와 「로서」는 소리가 비슷하지만 뜻이 달라요. 「로서」는 4B 10과에서 배워요.

Where university textbooks teach it

This point also appears in: Sogang University Korean 5B, lesson 4; Sogang University Korean 6, lesson 1; Hongik University Korean 5A, lesson 6; Seoul National University Korean 5A, lesson 13; Ewha Womans University Korean 5, lesson 3.

Also in this lesson

• V-(으)려다(가) — was about to … but — a plan that changes halfway
• N마저 — even (the last thing) — one more piece of bad luck
• A/V-기에 · -기에는 — as · since (in writing) — and 'for doing …, it's too …'

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