一边 … 一边 … (doing two things at once)
Sing in the shower, text on the move
- Singing in the shower. Texting while walking.
- For two things happening at the same time, use one side一边 … one side一边 ….
- suffix of a noun of locality边 means "side" — one action on each side, running together.
Practice
一边 … 一边 … is for two actions happening at the same time.
Yes — 一边 V1 ，一边 V2 = doing both at once.
one side一边 + Verb 1 ，one side一边 + Verb 2
I我often常常while一边showering洗澡，一边sing唱歌。
- one side一边to bathe洗澡，one side一边to sing a song唱歌 = "sing while showering."
- Both actions must be deliberate; casually it shrinks to suffix of a noun of locality边…suffix of a noun of locality边….
Practice
Complete: 别 ____ 开车,一边打电话。(Don't drive and call at the same time.)
一边 + V1 ，一边 + V2 — 一边开车,一边打电话.
Practice
What's the casual short form of 一边…一边…?
一边…一边… casually shortens to 边…边….
Practice
Build: “(I) sing while showering.”
一边 + V1 ，一边 + V2: 一边洗澡,一边唱歌.
Watch out
Watch out
The main action is usually the second one (English often flips the order). For "while X was going on," use …(of / 's)的time时候 instead.
Explore
Correct or broken?
一边 A 一边 B runs two doable-together actions at the same time — both slots filled.
Recap
Key idea
- one side一边 + Verb 1 ，one side一边 + Verb 2 — doing two things at once
- suffix of a noun of locality边 = "side": one action on each side
- Casual short form: suffix of a noun of locality边…suffix of a noun of locality边… (suffix of a noun of locality边to walk走suffix of a noun of locality边to chat聊)
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Adverbs.