Korean grammar patterns › Level 6
-기로서니
granted that …, (still, how can …?) (reproach)
Level 6 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
Admits a reason in clause 1 but rejects it as an excuse; clause 2 is a reproachful or rhetorical question. Often with 아무리. Used in speech as well as writing.
Forming it
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁘기로서니 |
| 늦다 | → 늦었기로서니 |
| 아이 | → 아이기로서니 |
| 학생 | → 학생이기로서니 |
Clause 2 is criticism or a rhetorical question, not a neutral fact or a command.
Examples
아무리 바쁘기로서니 전화 한 통 못 해요?
No matter how busy you are, can't you even make one phone call?
내가 좀 늦었기로서니 그렇게까지 화를 낼 일이에요?
So I was a little late; is that a reason to get so angry?
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄴ들 says an action would be useless; -기로서니 rejects an excuse and blames someone. -다손 치더라도 and -ㄴ/는다고 해도 are neutral hypothetical concessions.