-(으)면서
Quick answer: -(으)면서 means while — the two things happen together, by one person.
How to form it
No final consonant → -면서 · final consonant → -으면서 · both actions must have the same subject
In Korean: 받침 X → -면서 받침 O → -으면서 앞뒤의 사람이 같아야 합니다
What to know
-는 동안 in 3-2 also meant «while», but it allows two different people — 「제가 자는 동안 친구가 왔어요」. -(으)면서 does not: one person does both things at once. If the subjects differ, you must use -는 동안.
Examples
- 음악을 들으면서 일해요.I work while listening to music.
- 구경하면서 사진을 찍었어요.I took photos as I looked around.
- 걸으면서 말했어요.We talked as we walked.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 12: 수업이 끝난 후에 인사동에 갔어요 — I went to Insadong after class finished. Also in the Level 2 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -고 나서.
Practise -(으)면서 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 12 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.