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While/During

Quick Reference

Pattern Meaning Formation Example
-면서 While (simultaneous) Stem + 면서 걸으면서 (while walking)
Same subject only 음악을 들으면서 공부해요
-는 동안 During, while Stem + 는 동안 자는 동안 (while sleeping)
Different subjects OK 제가 자는 동안 눈이 왔어요
-다가 While then (switch) Stem + 다가 먹다가 (while eating, then)
Interruption/change 공부하다가 잤어요

Key Difference: -면서 = doing both together; -는 동안 = time frame; -다가 = switch actions

Detailed Explanation

These patterns express temporal relationships between actions, but each has distinct uses and nuances.

-면서 (While, Simultaneous Actions)

Formation: Verb stem + 면서

  • 가다 → 가면서
  • 먹다 → 먹으면서
  • 공부하다 → 공부하면서

Key Features:

  • Same subject: The same person does both actions
  • Simultaneous: Both actions happen at the same time
  • Both actions are deliberate: Not accidental overlap

Usage:

Cannot be used with: - Adjectives (only action verbs) - Different subjects doing different actions - Sequential actions (use -고 instead)

-는 동안 (During, While)

Formation: - Action verbs: Stem + 는 동안 - Adjectives: Stem + (으)ㄴ 동안 - Past: Stem + (으)ㄴ/았던/었던 동안

Examples: - 가다 → 가는 동안 - 크다 → 큰 동안 - 먹었다 → 먹은 동안

Key Features:

  • Different subjects allowed: Each clause can have its own subject
  • Time frame focus: Emphasizes the duration
  • Works with adjectives: Unlike -면서
  • More formal than -면서

-다가 (While Then, Switching Actions)

Formation: Verb stem + 다가

  • 가다 → 가다가
  • 먹다 → 먹다가
  • 공부하다 → 공부하다가

Key Features:

  • Interruption: First action interrupted or stopped
  • Sequential change: Switch from one action to another
  • Unexpected events: Often used with surprises or accidents
  • Same subject typically

Common Uses:

  1. Interrupted actions
  2. Changed plans
  3. Unexpected discoveries
  4. Accidents during an action

Formation Steps

For -면서:

  1. Take the verb stem
  2. Add -면서
  3. Add second clause (same subject)

For -는 동안:

  1. Identify if verb or adjective
  2. Add -는 동안 (verbs) or -(으)ㄴ 동안 (adjectives)
  3. Add second clause (any subject)

For -다가:

  1. Take the verb stem
  2. Add -다가
  3. Add second clause showing change/interruption

Examples

-면서 (Simultaneous Actions):

  • 음악을 들으면서 공부해요 (I study while listening to music)
  • 걸으면서 이야기해요 (We talk while walking)
  • 커피를 마시면서 책을 읽었어요 (I read a book while drinking coffee)
  • 웃으면서 말했어요 (He spoke while smiling)
  • 운전하면서 전화하지 마세요 (Don't use the phone while driving)

-는 동안 (During a Period):

  • 제가 자는 동안 눈이 왔어요 (It snowed while I was sleeping)
  • 방학인 동안 여행할 거예요 (I'll travel during vacation)
  • 엄마가 요리하는 동안 청소했어요 (I cleaned while mom was cooking)
  • 어렸을 동안 서울에 살았어요 (I lived in Seoul while I was young)
  • 회의하는 동안 조용히 하세요 (Be quiet during the meeting)

-다가 (Switching/Interruption):

  • 공부하다가 잤어요 (I fell asleep while studying)
  • 걷다가 친구를 만났어요 (I met a friend while walking)
  • 영화를 보다가 울었어요 (I cried while watching the movie)
  • 밥을 먹다가 전화를 받았어요 (I answered the phone while eating)
  • 한국에 살다가 미국으로 이사했어요 (I moved to America while living in Korea)

Comparing All Three:

Same situation, different nuances:

  • 음악을 들으면서 공부해요 (I study while listening to music - both intentional)
  • 음악을 듣는 동안 공부했어요 (I studied during the time I listened to music - time frame)
  • 음악을 듣다가 공부했어요 (I was listening to music, then switched to studying)

Complex Examples:

  • 한국에 사는 동안 한국어를 배웠어요 (I learned Korean during my time living in Korea)
  • 걸으면서 생각했어요 (I thought while walking)
  • 책을 읽다가 좋은 구절을 발견했어요 (I discovered a good passage while reading)
  • 일하는 동안 음악을 들으면서 해요 (During work, I do it while listening to music)

Common Mistakes

❌ 공부하면서 잤어요 (Can't be simultaneous - sleeping interrupts studying) ✅ 공부하다가 잤어요

❌ 엄마가 요리하면서 저는 청소했어요 (Different subjects) ✅ 엄마가 요리하는 동안 저는 청소했어요

❌ 예쁜면서 똑똑해요 (Can't use -면서 with adjectives for "and") ✅ 예쁘고 똑똑해요

Practice

  1. (듣다, simultaneous) 음악을 _____ 달리기를 해요.

  2. (자다, during) 제가 _____ 친구가 왔어요.

  3. (걷다, then) 길을 _____ 넘어졌어요.

  4. Translate: "I watch TV while eating." (simultaneous)

  5. (공부하다, during) _____ 조용히 해 주세요.

  6. (읽다, then) 책을 _____ 잠이 들었어요.

  7. Translate: "I met my teacher while shopping."

  8. (일하다, simultaneous) 노래를 부르_____ 일해요.

  9. (비가 오다, during) _____ 집에 있었어요.

  10. (보다, then) 영화를 _____ 웃었어요.

Show Answers 1. 들으면서 - 음악을 **들으면서** 달리기를 해요. - I run while listening to music (simultaneous, same subject) 2. 자는 동안 - 제가 **자는 동안** 친구가 왔어요. - My friend came while I was sleeping (different subjects, time frame) 3. 걷다가 - 길을 **걷다가** 넘어졌어요. - I fell while walking (interruption/accident during action) 4. 먹으면서 텔레비전을 봐요. / 텔레비전을 보면서 먹어요. - Both actions done simultaneously by same person 5. 공부하는 동안 - **공부하는 동안** 조용히 해 주세요. - Please be quiet while (I'm) studying (time frame) 6. 읽다가 - 책을 **읽다가** 잠이 들었어요. - I fell asleep while reading (unintentional interruption) 7. 쇼핑하다가 선생님을 만났어요. / 쇼핑하는 동안 선생님을 만났어요. - -다가 emphasizes the unexpected meeting; -는 동안 is also acceptable 8. 부르면서 - 노래를 **부르면서** 일해요. - I work while singing (both actions simultaneous and intentional) 9. 비가 오는 동안 - **비가 오는 동안** 집에 있었어요. - I stayed home during the time it was raining 10. 보다가 - 영화를 **보다가** 웃었어요. - I laughed while watching the movie (spontaneous reaction during movie)