-동안 (while, during)

동안 (While, During)**

(동안) is a Korean grammar particle used to express an action that takes place during a specific time period. It is often translated as 'while' or 'during.' Understanding the use of '동안' is essential for intermediate-level learners of Korean.

Structure of '동안'

The structure of '동안' is quite simple. It is added after a verb stem or a noun and indicates the time frame during which the action described by the verb or the noun is taking place. Here is the basic structure of '동안':

noun + 동안

10초 = 10 seconds
10초 + 동안 = 10초 동안 (for 10 seconds)

추석 = Chuseok(It's like Thanksgiving Day)
추석 + 동안 = 추석 동안

Verb stem + 동안

For example:

1. Take off 다.
2. Add 는 동안

먹다(to eat)

1. 먹다 -> 먹
2. 먹 + 는 동안
3. 먹는 동안 (while eating) Examples:

• 10초 동안 숨을 참았다 (I held my breath for 10 seconds.)
• 추석 동안 잠을 잘 못 잤다 (I couldn't sleep well during Chuseok)
• 점심을 먹는 동안 일이 진행되었다. (Work was conducted during lunchtime.)"

Usage of '동안'

1. Describing actions happening at the same time

'동안' can be used to describe two actions happening at the same time. In this case, it is placed after the verb stem of the action that is taking place. Here are some examples:

공부하다(to study)

1. 공부하다 -> 공부하
2. 공부하 + 는 동안
3. 공부하는 동안 (while studying)

운동하다(to exercise)

1. 운동하다 -> 운동하
2. 운동하 + 는 동안
3. 운동하는 동안 (while exercising)

Examples:

• 내가 공부하는 동안 우리집 강아지가 사료를 먹었다. (While I was studying, our dog ate its food.)
• 친구가 운동하는 동안 나는 게임을 했다.(While my friend was exercising, I played games.)

2. Describing actions happening over a period of time

'동안' can also be used to describe an action that is happening over a period of time. In this case, it is placed after the verb stem of the action that is taking place. Here are some examples:

여행하다(to travel)

• 여행하다 -> 여행하
• 여행하 + 는 동안
• 여행하는 동안 (during the trip)

일하다(to work)

• 일하다 -> 일하
• 일하 + 는 동안
• 일하는 동안 (while working)

Examples:

• 내가 호주에서 여행하는 동안 우리나라에 큰 이변이 일어났다. (While I was traveling in Australia, a major incident occurred in our country.)
• 내가 인도에서 일하는 동안 내 친구는 변호사 시험에 합격했다.(While I was working in India, my friend passed the bar exam.)