Multitasking is everywhere in the modern world. But you if can focus for just a minute, you can learn a way to express simultaneous tasks in Chinese! To express that one thing is done while doing something else, the word 一边 (yībiān) is used. Structure: 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。(bùyào yībiān chī dōngxi, yībiān shuōhuà) = Don't speak while eating. 我常常一边洗澡，一边唱歌。(wǒ chángcháng yībiān xǐzǎo, yībiān chànggē) = I often sing songs while I take a shower. 孩子喜欢一边吃饭，一边玩。(háizi xǐhuan yībiān chīfàn, yībiān wán) = Children like to play while eating. 你喜欢一边听音乐，一边做作业吗？(nǐ xǐhuan yībiān tīng yīnyuè, yībiān zuò zuòyè ma) = Do you like to listen to music while doing homework? 我们一边走一边聊吧。(wǒmen yībiān zǒu yībiān liáo ba) = Let's walk while we talk. 请你一边读一边写。(qǐng nǐ yībiān dú yībiān xiě) = Please write as you read. 不要一边开车，一边打电话。(bùyào yībiān kāichē, yībiān dǎ diànhuà) = Don't talk on the phone while you drive. 老板喜欢一边抽烟，一边工作。(lǎobǎn xǐhuan yībiān chōuyān, yībiān gōngzuò) = The boss likes to smoke while working. 很多人都一边上班，一边玩手机。(hěn duō rén dōu yībiān shàngbān, yībiān wán shǒujī) = Many people play with their cell phones while working. You'll notice that the order of the two actions is sometimes different in the original Chinese and the English translations above. This is because the "main" action usually comes second in English (after the "while"), but first in Chinese. For example, "take a shower while singing" sounds strange in English, but "sing while taking a shower" doesn't. 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). Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language   # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟   Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
| FOLLOW US： |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |