Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"
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Multitasking is vital to life in the modern world (most likely you are reading this article on a separate tab among many in your browser!), therefore it would make sense to learn a way to express simultaneous tasks in Chinese!
Structure
To express that one thing is done whilst doing something else, the word 一边 (yībiān) is used.
Subject + 一边 + Verb， + 一边 + Verb
Note that you sometimes see 一边 shortened to 边 as well, which has a less formal feel.
Examples
- 我 一边 看 电视，一边 吃 东西。I watch TV while I eat (I watch TV whilst I eat something.)
- 他们 一边 唱歌， 一边 跳舞，真 热闹！They dance while they sing, real exciting! (They dance sing whilst they dance, really exciting!)
- 你 会 一边 拍头 一边 揉 肚子 吗？Can you pat your head while you rub your belly? (Can you pat your head whilst you rub your belly?)
- 咱们 边 吃 边 聊 吧。Let's eat and talk. (Let's eat whilst we chat.)
