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 说话，一边 吃 东西。Don't talk while I eat something.
- 我 常常 一边 洗澡， 一边 唱歌。I often sing while I take the shower.
- 小孩子 喜欢 一边 吃 饭 一边 玩。Children like to eat while they play.
- 你 喜欢 一边 听 音乐 一边 做 作业 吗？Do you like talking while walking?
- 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。We can eat while we work when the boss is not here.
- 很多 人 都 一边 上班 一边 玩 手机。I think drinking alcohol and dancing at the same time is fun.
- 她老公 很忙，她 常常 一个人 一边 做 家务 一边 带 小孩。They were laughing while they were talking in the car.
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).
