Core Grammar Rule: ~는 동안
This pattern is used to express that one action or event occurs during the time another action is in progress. It's equivalent to "while" or "during the time that" in English.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It connects two clauses, where the action in the ~는 동안 clause sets the time frame during which the action in the main clause happens.
When to use: Use it when you want to talk about something you did while waiting, traveling, or during any activity that takes a certain amount of time. It's great for describing multitasking or events that happen concurrently. For example, "I listened to music while I was driving." (운전하는 동안 음악을 들었어요.)
Conjugation Rules
Rule: This pattern is very simple. You just attach ~는 동안 to the stem of any action verb, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Examples:
가다 (to go) → 가는 동안 (while going)
먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 동안 (while eating)
만들다 (to make) → 만드는 동안 (while making)
Verb Stem + ~는 동안
Native Nuance: ~는 동안 vs. ~(으)면서
Both ~는 동안 and ~(으)면서 can be translated as "while," but they have a critical difference that often confuses learners.
~는 동안 (During a time frame)
Context: Use ~는 동안 when one action provides a general time frame for another. The two actions don't have to be performed by the same person. Also, the second action can be a shorter event that happens within the longer duration of the first action.
Example: 제가 자는 동안 비가 왔어요. (It rained while I was sleeping.) Here, "I" am sleeping, and "it" is raining. The subjects are different, so ~(으)면서 is impossible.
~(으)면서 (Simultaneous action)
Context: Use ~(으)면서 only when the same person is doing two actions at the exact same time. It implies active multitasking.
Example: 저는 운전하면서 음악을 들어요. (I listen to music while I drive.) Here, "I" am doing both actions simultaneously. You cannot say 운전하는 동안 음악을 들어요 if you mean you are actively doing both at once. However, if a specific event happened during your drive (e.g., you got a phone call), 운전하는 동안 전화가 왔어요 is correct.
Do: 내가 없는 동안 무슨 일 있었어? (O) / Don't: 내가 없으면서 무슨 일 있었어? (X)
Common Verbs and Nouns with 동안
~는 동안 is versatile and pairs with many verbs to describe a time frame. 동안 can also follow certain nouns.
Verbs of Being & Location
Use 있는 동안 to mean "while being/staying somewhere" and 없는 동안 for "while being away/absent." These are extremely common for setting a scene.
Example: 제주도에 있는 동안 뭐 했어? (What did you do while you were in Jeju?)
Example: 제가 없는 동안 뭐 하셨어요? (What did you do while I was away?)
Verbs for Activities & Tasks
Attach ~는 동안 to action verbs to talk about what happened during an activity like walking, cooking, or shopping.
Example: 올레길을 걷는 동안 진로에 대해서도 생각해 봤어요. (I also thought about my future career while walking the Olle-gil trail.)
Example: 내가 파스타 만드는 동안 너는 상 좀 차려 줘. (While I make the pasta, can you set the table?)
Nouns for Time Periods
동안 can also directly follow nouns that signify a period of time, such as 방학 (school vacation), 휴가 (vacation/holiday), or 주말 (weekend).
Example from Key Phrases: 방학 동안 아르바이트를 할 거예요. (I'm going to work part-time during the vacation.)
있는 동안 / 없는 동안 / 방학 동안
Answering "What did you do while...?"
A common way to ask about someone's activities is by using the pattern ~는 동안 뭐 했어요?. Here's how to ask and answer.
Asking the Question
To ask what someone did during a specific period, use the formula: [Verb]-는 동안 뭐 했어요? (polite) or ~는 동안 뭐 했어? (casual).
Example: 제주도에 있는 동안 뭐 했어? (What did you do while you were in Jeju?)
Example: 찌개가 끓는 동안 뭐 했어? (What did you do while the stew was simmering?)
Providing a Direct Answer
The simplest way to respond is to state the action you performed. You don't need to repeat the ~는 동안 clause.
Q: 찌개가 끓는 동안 뭐 했어? (What did you do while the stew was simmering?)
A: 나는 야채 손질했어. (I prepared the vegetables.)
Repeating for Clarity
You can also repeat the ~는 동안 clause in your answer to be more explicit or to emphasize the context.
Q: 엄마는 제가 없는 동안 뭐 하셨어요? (What did you do while I was away?)
A: 나는 네가 없는 동안 네 방 청소했지. (I cleaned your room while you were away.)
Q: 찌개가 끓는 동안 뭐 했어? / A: 나는 야채 손질했어.
Politeness & Formality
The core grammar ~는 동안 itself doesn't change based on politeness, but the sentence ending you choose will determine the overall tone.
Polite Form (-아요/어요)
Context: Use this form when speaking to people who are older than you, in formal settings, or with people you don't know well. This is the standard polite style you heard in the first dialogue between Minjun and his mother.
Example: 비행기가 이륙하는 동안에는 핸드폰을 사용하면 안 돼요. (You shouldn't use your phone while the plane is taking off.)
Casual Form (-아/어)
Context: Use this form, also known as 반말, with close friends, family members you are close with, or people younger than you. The second dialogue between Sujin and Yuna is a perfect example of this casual register.
Example: 샤워하는 동안 전화 온 거 몰랐어. (I didn't know you called while I was showering.)
Polite: 기다리는 동안 커피를 마셨어요. / Casual: 기다리는 동안 커피 마셨어.