Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-(으)면서도
even though, while (also) — contrast within one subject
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Shows that two contrasting facts hold for the same subject at the same time. Stronger contrast than -(으)면서.
Forming it
| 알다 | → 알면서도 |
| 먹다 | → 먹으면서도 |
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁘면서도 |
| 학생 | → 학생이면서도 |
Both clauses have the same subject.
Examples
다 알면서도 일부러 모르는 척했어요.
I knew everything but pretended not to on purpose.
그 친구는 바쁘면서도 항상 남을 도와줘요.
That friend is busy, yet always helps others.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)면서 is mainly 'while doing (at the same time)'. -(으)ㄴ/는데도 is 'even though' and can have different subjects.