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How to use 一边
Big numbers in Chinese
Reduplication of verbs in Chinese
How to use 比
How to use 几
How to use 就
How to use 正在
How to use 更
How to use 一边
How to use 又
How to use 难
How to use 才
How to use 半
How to use 只
How to use 原来
Expressing "enough" with 够
Past experiences with 过
Lack of understanding with 不懂
How to use 死了
How to use 差不多
How to use 一直
How to use 快…了
How to use 从…到…
Expressing "Everything" with 什么 + 都/也
Differences between 可是 and 但是
"A little bit" with 有点儿 and 一点儿
How to use 因为 and 所以
Before and after with 以前 and 以后
Using particle 的, 得 and 地
Expressing “when” with 的时候 & 时
On This Page
How To Use 一边
Basic Definition & Structure Of 一边
Examples With 一边
Faqs
HOW TO USE 一边
Multitasking a more a more popular term in today’s world (what else are you doing while you read this?). It’s not uncommon for people to be doing multiple things at the same time.
Let’s learn how to use 一边 to express simultaneous actions in Chinese.
BASIC DEFINITION & STRUCTURE OF 一边
Generally speaking, “一边 (verb A) 一边 (verb B)” indicates (verb A) and (verb B) are carried out concurrently.
PATTERN
Subject + 一边 + Verb (，) + 一边 + Verb
Note that this is an informal expression in daily life.
And you will sometimes see 一边 (yī biān) shortened to 边 (biān) as well. Note that this is just for easier expression. The meaning of the sentence does not change.
EXAMPLES WITH 一边
Here are some examples of one thing is done while doing something else:
CHINESEPINYIN ENGLISHPlay我一边吃饭，一边写作业。wǒ yī biān chī fàn，yī biān xiě zuò yèI eat and do my homework at the same time.Play我常常一边洗澡，一边唱歌。wǒ cháng cháng yī biān xǐ zǎo，yī biān chàng gēI often sing while taking a shower.Play我们边走边聊吧。wǒ men biān zǒu biān liáo baLet’s walk while we talk.
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ChinesepinyinenglishPlay一边开车，一边打电话是很危险的。yī biān kāi chē，yī biān dǎ diàn huà shì hěn wēi xiǎn deIt is dangerous to be on the phone while driving.Play他一边看电视，一边吃零食。tā yī biān kàn diàn shì，yī biān chī líng shíHe was watching TV while eating snacks.Play你喜欢一边听音乐，一边做作业吗？nǐ xǐ huān yī biān tīng yīn lè，yī biān zuò zuò yè maDo you like to listen to music while doing homework?Play我一边学习中文，一边听着新闻。wǒ yī biān xué xí zhōng wén，yī biān tīng zhe xīn wénI was learning Chinese while listening to the news.
Note that 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.
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watching football
Traditional – A2, Chapter 2
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Traditional – A2+, Chapter 1
FAQs
What does 一边 express?Generally, 一边 expresses that two actions are happening at the same time. More specifically, you can use this expression when you want to say that you are doing two different things simultaneously.
What is the sentence structure for 一边?The basic sentence structure for 一边 is:
– Subj. + 一边 + Verb (，) + 一边 + Verb
Is 一边 formal or informal?一边 is an informal expression! In fact, you will sometimes see 一边 (yī biān) shortened to 边 (biān) as well.
What are some examples of 一边?– 我一边吃饭，一边写作业。wǒ yī biān chī fàn，yī biān xiě zuò yè. I eat and do my homework at the same time.
– 我常常一边洗澡，一边唱歌。wǒ cháng cháng yī biān xǐ zǎo，yī biān chàng gē. I often sing while taking a shower.
– 一边开车，一边打电话是很危险的。yī biān kāi chē，yī biān dǎ diàn huà shì hěn wēi xiǎn de. It is dangerous to be on the phone while driving.
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MORE FREE LESSONS
Big numbers in Chinese
Reduplication of verbs in Chinese
Subject + Verb + Verb
How to use 比
Noun A + 比 + Noun B + Adjective
How to use 几
几 + Measure Word
How to use 就
…, 就 + Verb Phrase
How to use 正在
Subject + 正在 + Verb + Object
How to use 更
更 + Adjective
How to use 一边
Subj. + 一边 + Verb (，) + 一边 + Verb
How to use 又
Subj.+ 又 + Adj. 1 + 又 + Adj. 2
How to use 难
Subject + (很)难 + Verb
How to use 才
Subject + Time + 才 + Verb
How to use 半
半 + Measure word + Noun
How to use 只
Subject + 只 + Verb + Object
How to use 原来
原来 + 的 + Noun
Expressing "enough" with 够
Subject / Object + 够 + Verb / Purpose
Past experiences with 过
Subj. + Verb + 过 (+ Object)
Lack of understanding with 不懂
Subject + 不懂 (+ noun)
How to use 死了
Adjective / Verb + 死了
How to use 差不多
差不多 + Adjective/Verb
How to use 一直
Subject + 一直 + Predicate
How to use 快…了
Subject + 快 + Verb + 了
How to use 从…到…
Subject + 从 + Time 1 + 到 + Time 2
Expressing "Everything" with 什么 + 都/也
Topic (+ Subj.) + 什么都 / 也 + Verb / Adj.
Differences between 可是 and 但是
Statement + 可是 / 但是 + Contrary Statement
"A little bit" with 有点儿 and 一点儿
Subj. + 有点儿 + Adj.
How to use 因为 and 所以
因为 + Cause，所以 + Result
Before and after with 以前 and 以后
以前 + Subject + Verb + Object
Using particle 的, 得 and 地
-
Expressing “when” with 的时候 & 时
S + V / Adj + 的时候