-는 동안
While, During
-는 동안 is used to talk about the period of time when an action is happening.
How It Works
-는 동안 is a versatile pattern used to express that one action takes place during the entire duration of another action. It emphasizes the time span of the first action.
1. Structure:
It attaches directly to the stem of an action verb, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 동안 (while going)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 동안 (while eating)
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하는 동안 (while studying)
2. Usage with Nouns:
When you want to say 'during' a noun (like vacation or a meeting), you simply use the noun followed by 동안.
- 방학 + 동안 → 방학 동안 (during vacation)
- 회의 + 동안 → 회의 동안 (during the meeting)
3. Subject Agreement:
The subject of the -는 동안 clause can be the same as or different from the subject of the main clause. This is a key difference from -면서, which requires the same subject.
- Same Subject: 제가 운전하는 동안 음악을 들었어요. (While I was driving, I listened to music.)
- Different Subjects: 제가 운전하는 동안 친구는 잠을 잤어요. (While I was driving, my friend slept.)
4. Tense:
The tense of the entire sentence is indicated by the final verb in the main clause. The -는 동안 part itself does not change for tense.
- Past: 영화를 보는 동안 팝콘을 먹었어요. (I ate popcorn while I watched the movie.)
- Present: 영화를 보는 동안 팝콘을 먹어요. (I eat popcorn while I watch movies.)
- Future: 영화를 보는 동안 팝콘을 먹을 거예요. (I will eat popcorn while I watch the movie.)
Examples (4)
- 밥을 먹는 동안 TV를 봤어요.
I watched TV while eating a meal.
Word by Word: Meal eating during TV watched.
- 제가 요리하는 동안 아이들은 숙제를 했어요.
While I was cooking, the children did their homework.
Word by Word: I cooking during children homework did.
This example shows how -는 동안 can be used when the subjects of the two clauses are different ('I' and 'the children').
- 한국에 사는 동안 좋은 친구들을 많이 만났어요.
While living in Korea, I met many good friends.
Word by Word: In Korea living during good friends many met.
- 수업을 듣는 동안에는 휴대폰을 사용하면 안 돼요.
You shouldn't use your phone while attending class.
Word by Word: Class listening during phone use if not okay.
Here, the particle
에는is added to동안to emphasize the time period. The particle 에 marks the time, and 는 adds emphasis or contrast. This is a common combination.
Common Mistakes
Using -는 동안 with adjectives.
Different Meaning날씨가 좋은 동안 산책했어요.Better날씨가 좋을 때 산책했어요.-는 동안 can only be attached to action verbs. To describe something happening 'when' a certain state exists (described by an adjective), you should use the pattern for 때 (e.g., -ㄹ/을 때).
Confusing -는 동안 with -면서 when subjects are different.
Not Quite제가 운전하면서 친구는 옆에서 잤어요.Better제가 운전하는 동안 친구는 옆에서 잤어요.The grammar pattern -면서 requires the subject of both actions to be the same. When two different subjects are performing actions in the same time frame, -는 동안 must be used.
Learn This First
To express 'while/during', you need verb modification and duration concepts.
Related Patterns
- -(으)면서While
Both mean 'while'. However, -면서 is used for two simultaneous actions performed by the same subject. -는 동안 is used for an action that occurs during the entire period of another action, and the subjects can be different.
- 때When, During
때 means 'when' or 'at the time of'. It can be used with both verbs and adjectives and refers to a specific point or period in time. -는 동안 specifically emphasizes the entire duration of an action.
- -는 중In the Process of Doing
-는 중 means 'in the middle of doing something'. It focuses on being in the process of an action at a specific moment. -는 동안 focuses on the entire time span during which another event can occur.