Middle School - Grade 7
Lesson 5: Multitasking
"While..." (-(으)면서)
Doing Two Things at Once
This grammar point, **-(으)면서**, is for multitaskers! You use it to connect two actions that are happening at the *exact same time*.
The most important rule is that the **subject must be the same** for both actions. For example, "**I** listen to music *while* **I** study." You can't use it to say "**I** study *while* **my friend** listens to music."
The Conjugation Rules
This attaches to action verbs and follows the standard consonant/vowel rule.
Stem ends in Vowel or ㄹ
... + 면서
가다 가면서
"While going..."
놀다 놀면서
"While playing..."
Stem ends in Consonant (except ㄹ)
... + 으면서
먹다 먹으면서
"While eating..."
읽다 읽으면서
"While reading..."
Examples in Action
COMMON EXAMPLE
음악을 들으면서 공부해요.
I study while listening to music. (Note: ㄷ irregular!)
COMMON EXAMPLE
밥을 먹으면서 TV를 봐요.
I watch TV while eating.
IMPORTANT WARNING
운전하면서 전화하지 마세요.
Please do not talk on the phone while driving.
Coming Up Next...
You've learned how to do two things at once. Next, you'll learn a different way to say "after" that emphasizes the *completion* of the first action before starting the second.