-(으)면서 vs -(으)ㄴ/는 동안: ‘While’ in Korean (No Mix‑ups)
Stop mixing up -(으)면서 and -(으)ㄴ/는 동안 with form rules, common mistakes, and a 2‑minute quiz—master.
12/23/2025, 2:25:43 AM
Both patterns can translate to “while,” but they’re not interchangeable.
The fastest way to sound natural is to remember the difference in focus:
- -(으)면서 = doing two actions at the same time (often the same subject)
- -(으)ㄴ/는 동안 = a time window (“during the period when…”)—the focus is the duration
Let’s lock it in with wrong → right fixes and a short quiz.
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
#1grammarLv 4
-(으)면서
-myeonseo
while doing (two actions).
Form (how to attach)
- Verb stem +
-(으)면서-(eu)myeonseo- 가다 →
가면서gamyeonseo - 먹다 →
먹으면서meogeumyeonseo
- 가다 →
Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)
- Core: “do X while doing Y” (two actions overlap)
- Typical vibe: the speaker is describing two actions happening together.
- Not great for: emphasizing the length of time itself (that’s where 동안 shines).
Register (neutral/polite)
Neutral and very common in both speaking and writing.
Common mistakes (wrong → right)
- Wrong (duration focus):
한국에 있으면서 한국어를 공부했어요.hanguge isseumyeonseo hangugeoreul gongbuhaesseoyo.
Better (time window):한국에 있는 동안 한국어를 공부했어요.hanguge itneun doan hangugeoreul gongbuhaesseoyo. - Wrong (different subjects without context):
비가 오면서 우산을 썼어요.biga omyeonseo usaneul sseosseoyo.
Better:비가 와서 우산을 썼어요.biga waseo usaneul sseosseoyo. /비가 오는 동안 우산을 썼어요.biga oneun doan usaneul sseosseoyo. (if you really mean “during the rain”)
Examples (5–8 sentences)
`음악을 들으면서 공부해요.` EN
I study while listening to music.
`걸으면서 전화하면 위험해요.` EN
It’s dangerous to call while walking.
`밥 먹으면서 얘기하자.` EN
Let’s talk while eating.
`웃으면서 말했지만, 진심이었어.` EN
I said it smiling, but I meant it.
`운전하면서 메시지 보내지 마.` EN
Don’t text while driving.
#2grammarLv 5
-(으)ㄴ/는 동안
-n/neun dong-an
during the time when…
Form (how to attach)
- Action verb +
-(으)ㄴ/는 동안-(eu)ㄴ/neun doan- 가다 →
가는 동안ganeun doan - 먹다 →
먹는 동안meokneun doan - 있다 →
있는 동안itneun doan
- 가다 →
Meaning range (what it can/can’t mean)
- Core: “during the time when…” (a time span)
- The focus is the period. What happens inside that period can be one action or many.
Common mistakes (wrong → right)
- Wrong (two actions, simultaneous):
커피를 마시는 동안 일했어요.keopireul masineun doan ilhaesseoyo. (can sound like “throughout the coffee time”)
Better for two actions:커피를 마시면서 일했어요.keopireul masimyeonseo ilhaesseoyo. - Wrong (habitual):
주말인 동안 운동해요.jumarin doan undonghaeyo.
Better:주말에는 운동해요.jumareneun undonghaeyo. /주말 동안 운동해요.jumal doan undonghaeyo. (if you mean “throughout the weekend”)
Examples (5–8 sentences)
`한국에 있는 동안 많이 배웠어요.` EN
I learned a lot while (during the time) I was in Korea.
`회의하는 동안은 휴대폰을 꺼 주세요.` EN: During the meeting, please turn off your phone.
`hoeuihaneun doaneun hyudaeponeul kkeo juseyo.` EN: During the meeting, please turn off your phone.
`비가 오는 동안 밖에 안 나갔어요.` EN
I didn’t go out while it was raining.
`방학 동안 알바했어요.` EN
I worked part-time during vacation.
`여행하는 동안 사진을 많이 찍었어요.` EN: I took lots of photos during the trip.
`yeohaenghaneun doan sajineul manhi jjigeosseoyo.` EN: I took lots of photos during the trip.
Mini quiz (2 minutes)
Pick one answer per question.
Q1
“I listened to a podcast while running.” → 달리( ) 팟캐스트를 들었어요.
Q2
“During the meeting, don’t check messages.” → 회의하( ) 메시지 확인하지 마세요.
Q3
“While I lived in Seoul, I studied Korean.” → 서울에 있( ) 한국어를 공부했어요.
Next steps
Convert these 5 sentences (choose the better pattern):
음악을 들( ) 공부했어요.eumageul deul( ) gongbuhaesseoyo.유튜브를 보( ) 밥을 먹었어요.yutyubeureul bo( ) babeul meogeosseoyo.수업( ) 휴대폰을 꺼 주세요.sueop( ) hyudaeponeul kkeo juseyo.한국에 있( ) 한국어를 많이 배웠어요.hanguge it( ) hangugeoreul manhi baewosseoyo.비가 오( ) 밖에 안 나갔어요.biga o( ) bakke an nagasseoyo. Tip: #1–2 are usually “two actions at once” →-(으)면서-(eu)myeonseo. #3–5 are “time window” uses →-(으)ㄴ/는 동안-(eu)ㄴ/neun doan.
Review: flashcards & quiz
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