HSK 3 · 句子成分/句型

Doing two things at once

一边……一边……

Say that the same subject does two actions at the same time.

Pattern

主语 + 一边 + 动词1 + 一边 + 动词2

Say that the same subject does two actions at the same time.

How it works

一边 + verb + 一边 + verb links two actions happening simultaneously: 我一边走路一边听音乐.

Both verbs should describe actions the same person can do at the same time. Do not use it for two separate events or for qualities.

For two qualities, use 又……又……: 又高又瘦. For “the more… the more…”, use 越……越…….

Examples

他一边走路一边看手机。

tā yī biān zǒu lù yī biān kàn shǒu jī。

He walks while looking at his phone.

我们一边吃饭一边聊天。

wǒ men yī biān chī fàn yī biān liáo tiān。

We chat while eating.

她一边听音乐一边做作业。

tā yī biān tīng yīn yuè yī biān zuò zuo yè。

She listens to music while doing homework.

我们可以一边走路一边看花。

wǒ men kě yǐ yī biān zǒu lù yī biān kàn huā。

We can look at the flowers while walking.

别一边吃饭一边说话。

bié yī biān chī fàn yī biān shuō huà。

Don't talk while eating.

Common mistakes

我一边吃饭一边睡觉。

我一边吃饭一边看电视。

The two actions should be possible at the same time.

我一边喜欢音乐一边画画。

我一边听音乐一边画画。

Use an action verb, not a stative verb like 喜欢.

In real dialogues

See it in use

All dialogues

A family discussion 家庭讨论

HSK 3

Read dialogue

对。我们可以一边走路，一边看花。

duì。wǒ men kě yǐ yī biān zǒu lù，yī biān kàn huā。

Yeah. We can walk and look at the flowers at the same time.

Quick practice

Check your understanding

Choose an answer to see the explanation. These questions are a quick check, not a score.

1. Fill both blanks: 他 ___ 走路 ___ 看手机。

2. Choose the correct sentence.

3. Which two actions can happen together?

4. Fill both blanks: 她 ___ 听音乐 ___ 做作业。

5. Which pattern describes two qualities, not two actions?