How to say “while” in Chinese
while (一边…一边)
“While” in Chinese is 一边, yì biān: the meaning, a recording of how it sounds, the characters stroke by stroke and examples.
How to pronounce it
一边 is read yì biān: 2 syllables. The tone is part of the word: with another melody you get another word, or just a jumble of sounds.
How to write it
Before a measure word its tone changes: yí before a fourth tone, yì before the others. In numbers and dates it stays yī.
On the left, 辶 “walk”.
Strokes go in order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical. Tap a character to open its page, with the strokes shown large and the words it appears in. To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for “一边”.
Examples
Sentences from the course lessons with 一边. Tap the sound icon to listen.
- 他一边听歌，一边做作业。tāyìbiāntīnggē,yìbiānzuòzuòyèHe does his homework while listening to songs.
- 我们一边走一边说吧wǒmenyìbiānzǒu,yìbiānshuōbaLet's talk as we walk.
- 我一边听歌一边写作业wǒyìbiāntīnggē,yìbiānxiězuòyèI do my homework while listening to songs.
- 我们一边喝茶一边聊天儿wǒmenyìbiānhēchá,yìbiānliáotiānrWe drink tea and chat.
- 他们一边走一边喊口号tāmenyìbiānzǒu,yìbiānhǎnkǒuhàoThey walk along shouting slogans.
- 他们一边喝茶，一边交谈。tāmenyìbiānhēchá,yìbiānjiāotánThey drank tea and talked.
More words from the lesson “Homework”
Look up another word in the Chinese–English dictionary: in English, in pinyin or in characters.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “while” in Chinese?
“While” in Chinese is 一边, pinyin yìbiān.
What does 一边 mean?
一边 (yìbiān) means “while (一边…一边)”.
How do you write 一边?
一边 is 2 characters: 一 (yī) — one; 边 (biān) — side, edge. The stroke order of each one is shown step by step on this page.
How do you pronounce 一边?
一边 is read yìbiān. Tones: yì — fourth tone, biān — first tone. The page has a native speaker recording.
“while” in the lesson “Homework”
This word is from the topic “Studying” of HSK 3. In the lesson you hear it in a dialogue, build a sentence with it and say it out loud. Start for free, no sign-up needed.
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