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Lv 2Grammar expressionBeginner · TOPIK I

-는 동안에

while; during

Attaches to a verb stem to mark the span of time during which the action or state in the main clause lasts—'while/during.'

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-는 동안

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts.

    앞에 오는 말이 나타내는 행동이나 상태가 계속되는 시간 만큼을 나타내는 표현.

Examples

  • 저는 청소를 할게요.

    I'll clean.

  • 그럼 지수 씨가 청소하는 동안 제가 장을 보러 다녀올게요.

    Then while you clean, Jisu, I'll go do the grocery shopping.

  • 내가 책을 읽는 동안 엄마는 뜨개질을 하셨다.

    While I read a book, Mom knitted.

  • 우리는 서울에 머무르는 동안 여러 관광지를 돌아보았다.

    While we stayed in Seoul, we visited several tourist spots.

  • 그의 연주가 계속되는 동안 사람들은 모두 음악에서 빠져나올 수 없었다.

    While his performance continued, everyone was completely absorbed in the music.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-는 동안에’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “while; during”?