-으면서Korean connective · TOPIK 2
-eumyeonseo
One connective with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used when more than two actions or states happen at the same time.
두 가지 이상의 동작이나 상태가 함께 일어남을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 '-었-', '-겠-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
피는 검으면서 붉은 색이 났다.
The blood was black and red at the same time.
나는 비를 맞으면서 집까지 걸었다.
I walked home in the rain.
승규는 이마의 땀을 닦으면서 말했다.
Seunggyu spoke while wiping the sweat from his forehead.
대화In conversation
내 전화번호를 부를게.
I'll read out my phone number.
잠깐만. 전화를 받으면서 받아 적기가 힘드네.
Wait a moment. It's hard to write it down while answering the phone.
A connective ending used to show that more than two actions or states are contradictory.
두 가지 이상의 동작이나 상태가 서로 대립되는 관계에 있음을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 '-었-', '-겠-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 사실을 알고 있었으면서 아무에게도 말하지 않았다.
Jisu knew the truth but didn't tell anyone.
배웠으면서 실천하지 않는 것은 진정한 배움이라고 할 수 없다.
Learning something but not putting it into practice cannot be called true learning.
어떤 부모는 책을 읽지 않으면서 자녀들에게만 읽으라고 강요한다.
Some parents force their children to read while they themselves don't read.
대화In conversation
승규는 만날 때마다 돈이 없다고 해서 항상 내가 밥을 사.
Every time I meet Seunggyu, he says he has no money, so I always end up buying the meal.
걔, 돈이 있으면서 없다고 하는 거야.
He has money, but he says he doesn't.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -으면서 mean in Korean?
-으면서 is a connective introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). A connective ending used when more than two actions or states happen at the same time. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -으면서?
Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ, the past -었- or the future -겠-. The other shape is -면서 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -으면서 and -면서?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -으면서?
2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.