Difference between revisions of "Simultaneous tasks with "yibian""

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{{Basic Grammar|一边|A2|(一)边 + V, (一)边 + V|我 <em>一边</em> 看 电视,<em>一边</em> 吃 东西。|grammar point|ASG2ZC5S}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|一边|A2|(一)边 + V, (一)边 + V|我 <em>一边</em> 看 电视,<em>一边</em> 吃 东西。|grammar point|ASG2ZC5S}}
 
{{Rel char|边}}
 
{{Rel char|边}}
{{Similar|Expressing Simultaneous Actions with "yimian"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing simultaneous actions with "yimian"}}
{{Similar|"Along with…" Using "suizhe"}}
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{{Similar|"Along with…" using "suizhe"}}
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{{Similar|At the time when}}
 
{{Used for|Referring to simultaneous events}}
 
{{Used for|Referring to simultaneous events}}
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{{Used for|Indicating conditions}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{Subprop|Verb phrases}}
 
{{Subprop|Verb phrases}}

Revision as of 02:02, 22 July 2013

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

  • 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 聊 吧。Let's eat and talk. (Let's eat whilst we chat.)

See also

Sources and further reading

Books