동안, 는 동안 Lesson | 으면서 vs 동안 - how to say “while” in Korean
- KSJ 쌤
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The grammar -는 동안 means “while” or “during the time that something is happening.”
It is used when two actions happen at the same time or when something happens throughout a period of time.
Verb + 는 동안 = while / during
Usage: something happens while another action is in progress.
Example:
I studied while listening to music
It rained while I was sleeping
Present tense examples:
저는 공부하는 동안 음악을 들어요.
I listen to music while studying.
친구가 기다리는 동안 커피를 마셨어요.
I drank coffee while waiting for my friend.
비 오는 동안 집에 있었어요.
I stayed home while it was raining.
Past tense examples:
여행하는 동안 사진을 많이 찍었어요.
I took a lot of photos while traveling.
일하는 동안 전화가 왔어요.
I got a call while working.
자는 동안 비가 왔어요.
It rained while I was sleeping.
Noun form: 동안 = “during”
You can also use 동안 as a noun meaning “for a period of time.”
방학 동안 여행했어요.
I traveled during vacation.
3시간 동안 공부했어요.
I studied for 3 hours.
여행 동안 비가 계속 왔어요.
It kept raining during the trip.
Important difference
는 동안 = while (two actions overlap)
공부하는 동안 음악을 들었어요.
I listened to music while studying.
동안 = during (time period focus)
3시간 동안 공부했어요.
I studied for 3 hours.
If you’re interested in learning the differences between this form and (으)면서, check out this post:
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