동안 / -는 동안
Expresses the period of time over which an action or state continues. With nouns, it means 'during [period]'. With verbs, it means 'while [action] is going on'.
Summary
Equivalent
During / While
Also: 사이/-(으)ㄴ 사이 (While - usually a shorter gap)
Example
I studied Korean for 3 years.
저는 3년 동안 한국어를 공부했습니다.
Grammar rules
- Attach '동안' directly to time/period nouns (e.g., 3일 동안 = for 3 days, 방학 동안 = during vacation).
- Attach '는 동안' to the stems of action verbs.
- Unlike '-(으)면서', the subjects of the two clauses in '는 동안' can be different.
내가 자는 동안 친구가 청소했어요. (While I was sleeping, my friend cleaned.)
Patterns
Nouns (Time)
N/A · Noun + 동안
All Verbs
Present/Progressive · Verb Stem + 는 동안
Example sentences
I studied Korean for 3 years.
저는 3년 동안 한국어를 공부했습니다.
While the mother was cooking, the children watched television.
어머니가 요리하는 동안 아이들은 텔레비전을 봤어요.
I plan to travel to Japan during the vacation.
방학 동안 일본으로 여행을 갈 생각이에요.
Conversation
A: Weren't you bored while waiting?
기다리는 동안 지루하지 않았어요?
B: No, I read a book, so it was fine.
아니요, 책을 읽어서 괜찮았어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct duration word.
Cooking and watching.
Duration of a period.