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! This can be done with 一边 (yībiān).
Structure
To express that one thing is done whilst doing something else, the word 一边 (yībiān) is used.
Subj. + 一边 + Verb， + 一边 + Verb
Note that you sometimes see 一边 (yībiān) shortened to 边 (biān) as well, which has a less formal feel.
Examples
- 不要 一边 吃 东西，一边 说话。Don't talk while eating.
- 我 常常 一边 洗澡， 一边 唱歌。I often sing while I take a shower.
- 小孩子 喜欢 一边 吃 饭， 一边 玩。Children like to eat while playing.
- 你 喜欢 一边 听 音乐， 一边 做 作业 吗？Do you like to listen to music while doing homework?
- 我们 一边 走 一边 聊 吧。Let's talk while we walk.
- 请 你 一边 读 一边 写。Please write while you read.
- 不要 一边 开车， 一边 打电话。Don't talk on the phone while you drive.
- 老板 喜欢 一边 抽烟， 一边 工作。The boss likes to smoke while working.
- 很多 人 都 一边 上班， 一边 玩 手机。Many people play with their cellphone while working.
- 她老公 很忙，她 常常 一边 做饭， 一边 带 小孩。Her husband is very busy. She often looks after the baby while cooking food.
Note that you must be actively doing both actions. That is, they have to be intentional. If you want to say something happened while another thing was happening, it would be better to use "的时候" (de shíhou).
