一边一邊 yìbiān — 一边…一边… — doing two things at once
yìbiān (fourth tone, falling)yi4bian1
Traditional: 一邊
一边…一边… — doing two things at once
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardadverbnoun
Meanings
一边…一边… — doing two things at once
The pattern needs both halves, one before each verb: 他一边吃饭一边看电视. Both actions must belong to the same person and last for a stretch — an instant action like 到 cannot go there.
adverbone side, to one side
noun
Example sentences
- 他一边吃饭一边看电视。他一邊吃飯一邊看電視。Tā (first tone, high and level) yìbiān (fourth tone, falling) chīfàn (first tone, high and level) yìbiān (fourth tone, falling) kàn (fourth tone, falling) diànshì. (fourth tone, falling)···
He watches television while he eats.
- 我们一边走一边说话吧。我們一邊走一邊說話吧。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) yìbiān (fourth tone, falling) zǒu (third tone, dipping) yìbiān (fourth tone, falling) shuōhuà (first tone, high and level) ba. (neutral tone)···
Let’s talk as we walk.
Common mistakes
Not quite他一边吃饭，看电视。
Correct他一边吃饭，一边看电视。
The pattern is a pair. One 一边 leaves the sentence lopsided — the second verb needs its own, exactly as 虽然 needs 但是 and 因为 needs 所以.
Not quite我一边吃饭，他一边看电视。
Correct我一边吃饭，一边看电视。
Both actions must be the same person’s. Two different subjects need 的时候 instead: 我吃饭的时候，他看电视.