동안
During, While
동안 means 'during' or 'for' and marks a period of time. It's used after nouns like 'vacation' (방학 동안) or 'weekend' (주말 동안).
How It Works
동안 is a noun that means 'during' or 'for (a period of time)'. It is used to indicate the duration during which an action or state continues.
1. With Nouns
It is placed directly after a noun that represents a period of time.
- 방학 (vacation) → 방학 동안 (during the vacation)
- 주말 (weekend) → 주말 동안 (during the weekend)
- 10분 (10 minutes) → 10분 동안 (for 10 minutes)
2. With Verbs
To say 'while doing an action', you must use the -는 동안 form. This attaches to the verb stem.
- 보다 (to watch) → 보는 동안 (while watching)
- 기다리다 (to wait) → 기다리는 동안 (while waiting)
Key Distinctions:
- 동안 vs. 때: 동안 refers to the entire duration of an activity. 때 refers to a specific point or moment in time. For example, '수업 동안' means 'during the (entire) class', while '수업 때' means 'at the time of the class' or 'when class was happening'.
- -는 동안 vs. -면서: Both can mean 'while'. However, -면서 requires the subject of both actions to be the same. -는 동안 can be used even when the subjects are different. See the examples and common mistakes for a clear illustration.
Examples (5)
- 방학 동안 여행을 갈 거예요.
I'm going to travel during the vacation.
Word by Word: Vacation during travel will go.
- 수업 동안 조용히 해야 해요.
You have to be quiet during class.
Word by Word: Class during quietly must do.
- 영화를 보는 동안 전화하지 마세요.
Please don't call while I'm watching the movie.
Word by Word: Movie watching during call don't do please.
- 제가 요리하는 동안 아이는 숙제를 했어요.
While I was cooking, the child did their homework.
Word by Word: I cooking during child homework did.
This example shows how -는 동안 can be used when the subjects of the two clauses are different ('I' and 'the child').
- 3년 동안 한국어를 공부했어요.
I studied Korean for three years.
Word by Word: 3 years for Korean studied.
Common Mistakes
Using -면서 when the subjects of the two actions are different.
Not Quite제가 운전하면서 친구는 잤어요.Better제가 운전하는 동안 친구는 잤어요.-면서 can only be used when the same person is doing both actions. Since 'I' am driving and 'my friend' is sleeping, you must use -는 동안.
Confusing 동안 (duration) with 때 (a point in time).
Not Quite한국에 도착하는 동안 전화 주세요.Better한국에 도착했을 때 전화 주세요.도착하는 것 (arriving) is a moment, not a long duration. Therefore, 때 ('when') is the correct choice. 동안 would be used for a longer action, like '한국에 여행하는 동안' (while traveling in Korea).
Related Patterns
- -는 동안While, During
This is the specific form used to combine 동안 with a verb, meaning 'while doing [verb]'. It's a direct application of the 동안 pattern to actions.
- 때When, During
Both indicate time. 때 refers to a specific point or moment in time ('when'), while 동안 refers to the entire duration of a period ('during', 'for').
- -(으)면서While
Both can mean 'while'. However, -면서 is used when the same subject performs two actions simultaneously. -는 동안 is used when the subjects can be different.
- 전에Before
Refers to the time 'before' an event, which is a temporal contrast to 동안, which means 'during' an event.
- 후에/뒤에After, Later
Refers to the time 'after' an event, which is a temporal contrast to 동안, which means 'during' an event.
- -중In the Middle of, During
Similar to 동안, -중 means 'in the middle of' or 'currently doing'. For example, '회의 중' (in the middle of a meeting) is similar to '회의하는 동안' (during the meeting). However, -중 is often used in more formal or written contexts.