-면서 connects two simultaneous actions performed by the same subject. It means "while," "as," or "and at the same time." It expresses that two actions happen concurrently.
Structure
Verb stem + -면서
Breakdown:
- -면서: Simultaneous action connective
- Both actions by same subject
- Actions happen at same time
- Cannot be used with adjectives
Literal meaning: "While doing [A], also doing [B]"
Formation Rules
With Action Verbs Only
Verb stem + -면서:
- 가다 → 가면서 (while going)
- 먹다 → 먹으면서 (while eating)
- 듣다 → 들으면서 (while listening)
- 공부하다 → 공부하면서 (while studying)
- 일하다 → 일하면서 (while working)
NOT Used With
Does not work with:
- Adjectives (use other patterns)
- Different subjects (use -는 동안)
- 이다/아니다
Core Meaning: Simultaneous Actions
Two Actions at Once
Same person doing both:
- 음악을 들으면서 공부해요 (I study while listening to music)
- 커피를 마시면서 책을 읽어요 (I read while drinking coffee)
- 걸으면서 전화해요 (I talk on the phone while walking)
- TV를 보면서 밥을 먹어요 (I eat while watching TV)
While Doing
Background + main action:
- 웃으면서 말했어요 (They spoke while smiling)
- 울면서 이야기했어요 (They talked while crying)
- 뛰면서 소리쳤어요 (They shouted while running)
Common Usage Patterns
Daily Multitasking
Common simultaneous activities:
- 음악 들으면서 공부하다 (study while listening to music)
- 전화하면서 걷다 (walk while talking on phone)
- TV 보면서 식사하다 (eat while watching TV)
- 운전하면서 노래하다 (sing while driving)
Communication Actions
Manner of speaking:
- 웃으면서 말하다 (speak while smiling)
- 울면서 이야기하다 (talk while crying)
- 고개를 끄덕이면서 듣다 (listen while nodding)
Physical Actions
Body movements together:
- 걸으면서 생각하다 (think while walking)
- 뛰면서 외치다 (shout while running)
- 춤추면서 노래하다 (sing while dancing)
Politeness Levels
Works with All Levels
Main verb determines politeness:
- 듣으면서 공부합니다 (formal)
- 듣으면서 공부해요 (polite)
- 듣으면서 공부해 (casual)
Tense
Tense in Main Clause
-면서 clause is neutral, tense in main verb:
- 듣으면서 공부해요 (present - study while listening)
- 듣으면서 공부했어요 (past - studied while listening)
- 듣으면서 공부할 거예요 (future - will study while listening)
Negative Forms
While Not Doing
안 + Verb + -면서:
- 안 먹으면서 일해요 (work while not eating)
- 안 자면서 공부해요 (study while not sleeping)
Verb + -지 않으면서:
- 먹지 않으면서 일해요 (work while not eating)
Extended Meaning: Despite/Although
Contradictory Actions
Acting contrary to what one says or should do:
- 알면서 모른 척해요 (Pretend not to know despite knowing)
- 좋아하면서 싫다고 해요 (Say they don't like it despite liking it)
- 바쁘다면서 놀아요 (Play despite saying they're busy)
Hypocrisy/Contradiction
Saying one thing, doing another:
- 다이어트한다면서 먹어요 (Eat despite saying on a diet)
- 공부한다면서 게임해요 (Play games despite saying studying)
- 시간 없다면서 TV 봐요 (Watch TV despite saying no time)
Common Expressions
Study/Work
- 음악 들으면서 공부하다 (study while listening to music)
- 커피 마시면서 일하다 (work while drinking coffee)
- 회의하면서 메모하다 (take notes while in meeting)
Communication
- 웃으면서 말하다 (speak while smiling)
- 울면서 이야기하다 (talk while crying)
- 전화하면서 걷다 (walk while on phone)
Entertainment
- TV 보면서 밥 먹다 (eat while watching TV)
- 노래하면서 춤추다 (dance while singing)
- 영화 보면서 팝콘 먹다 (eat popcorn while watching movie)
Daily Activities
- 샤워하면서 노래하다 (sing while showering)
- 걸으면서 생각하다 (think while walking)
- 운전하면서 듣다 (listen while driving)
Comparison with Similar Patterns
-면서 vs -는 동안
-면서: Same subject, simultaneous actions
- 음악을 들으면서 공부해요 (I study while listening to music)
- Both actions by "I"
-는 동안: During a time period, can be different subjects
- 음악을 듣는 동안 공부해요 (I study during [the time] music plays)
- Can have different subjects
-면서 vs -고
-면서: Truly simultaneous
- 걸으면서 전화해요 (Walk while talking - at same time)
- Must be concurrent
-고: Sequential or separate
- 걷고 전화해요 (Walk and then call - can be separate)
- Can be in sequence
-면서 vs -다가
-면서: Continuous simultaneous
- 공부하면서 음악 들어요 (Study while listening to music)
- Both continue together
-다가: While doing, then switch
- 공부하다가 음악 들었어요 (Was studying, then listened to music)
- Change of action
Subject Requirement
Must Be Same Subject
Both actions by same person/thing:
✅ 나는 노래하면서 춤춰요 (I sing while dancing) ✅ 엄마가 요리하면서 TV를 봐요 (Mom cooks while watching TV)
❌ 나는 공부하면서 친구가 놀아요 (Wrong - different subjects) ✅ 나는 공부하고 친구는 놀아요 (Correct - use different pattern)
Expressing Manner
How Action Was Done
Describing the manner:
- 웃으면서 말했어요 (Said it while smiling - said it smilingly)
- 울면서 사과했어요 (Apologized while crying)
- 뛰면서 소리쳤어요 (Shouted while running)
Summary Table
| Pattern | Example | Meaning | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| -면서 | 듣으면서 공부해요 | Study while listening | Same subject |
| -는 동안 | 듣는 동안 공부해요 | Study during listening | Can differ |
| -고 | 듣고 공부해요 | Listen and study | Same/different |
| -다가 | 듣다가 공부했어요 | Was listening, then studied | Same subject |
Usage Context Guide
Use -면서 when:
- Describing multitasking
- Two actions happening at exactly same time
- Same subject doing both actions
- Expressing manner of action
- Showing contradictions (saying vs doing)
Common contexts:
- Study habits (들으면서 공부하다)
- Communication manner (웃으면서 말하다)
- Daily multitasking (걸으면서 전화하다)
- Contradictions (알면서 모른 척하다)
Restrictions
Only Action Verbs
Cannot use with:
❌ 예쁘면서 (adjectives don't work) ❌ 학생이면서 (이다 doesn't work naturally)
Use verbs only:
✅ 걸으면서 (while walking) ✅ 먹으면서 (while eating)
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Simultaneous actions: Two things at same time
- ✅ Same subject only: Both actions by one person
- ✅ Action verbs only: Cannot use adjectives
- ✅ Very common: Essential daily pattern
- ✅ Also means "despite": When contradictory
- ✅ Expresses manner: How action was done
- ✅ Different from -는 동안: More direct simultaneity
-면서 is one of the most frequently used Korean grammar patterns for describing multitasking and simultaneous actions. It's essential for natural conversation about daily activities.