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Lesson

Doing Two Things (一边…一边…)

1. Explain it simply

一边 + verb 1, 一边 + verb 2 means doing two actions at the same time.

Both halves need 一边, and each one goes right before its verb.

Use it when the same person does two things at once: 他一边吃饭一边看电视。

2. Show examples

他一边吃饭一边看电视。

Tā yībiān chīfàn yībiān kàn diànshì.

Sandhi:Tā yìbiān chīfàn yìbiān kàn diànshì.

He watches TV while eating.

two actions at once

我一边走路一边打电话。

Wǒ yībiān zǒulù yībiān dǎ diànhuà.

Sandhi:Wǒ yìbiān zǒulù yìbiān dǎ diànhuà.

I make a phone call while walking.

一边 + V, 一边 + V

她一边唱歌一边跳舞。

Tā yībiān chànggē yībiān tiàowǔ.

Sandhi:Tā yìbiān chànggē yìbiān tiàowǔ.

She dances while singing.

same subject

3. Share a tip

Both 一边 stay inside the sentence, each right before a verb - never put 一边 at the very end.

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