Korean grammar patterns › Level 2
-(으)면서
while (doing): two actions at the same time
Level 2 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
The same subject does two things at once. With adjectives and nouns it joins two qualities: 싸면서 맛있어요 'cheap and tasty at the same time'.
Forming it
| 보다 | → 보면서 |
| 먹다 | → 먹으면서 |
| 듣다 | → 들으면서 |
| 만들다 | → 만들면서 |
Both actions need the same subject: ✗ 제가 요리하면서 동생이 청소했어요 → 제가 요리하는 동안 동생이 청소했어요. Put the tense on the last verb only.
Examples
저는 음악을 들으면서 공부해요.
I study while listening to music.
밥을 먹으면서 휴대폰을 보지 마세요.
Don't look at your phone while eating.
Compared with similar patterns
-는 동안 allows different subjects and focuses on the time span; -다가 means one action stops and switches to another; -(으)면서도 means 'even though' (contrast).