If you’re learning Korean, you’ll often come across time expressions like ‘N동안’ and ‘V-는 동안.’ These two expressions are used to talk about actions occurring during a specific period of time, but they are used in different contexts. In this easy guide, we’ll break down how to use each expression correctly with clear examples and practice exercises, so you can start using them confidently in your Korean conversations.
Contents
1. Definition
- N동안: This expression is used to refer to a specific period of time during which something happens. The noun (N) is a specific time period, like ‘3년’ (3 years), ‘하루’ (one day), ‘한 달’ (one month), etc.
- V-는 동안: This expression is used to describe an action or event happening during another action. It uses a verb (V) in the present tense, and it conveys the idea that one thing is happening while another is going on.
2. Form (Structure)
- N동안: Noun + 동안
- V-는 동안: Verb stem + 는 동안
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
| N동안 | Noun + 동안 | 3년 동안 (for 3 years) 일주일 동안 (for a week) 여름 동안 (during summer) |
| V-는 동안 | Verb stem + 는 동안 | 공부하는 동안 (while studying) 잠자는 동안 (while sleeping) |
3. Meaning & Usage:
The key difference between N동안 and V-는 동안 is how they are used with nouns and verbs.
- N동안: Refers to a time span (N) during which something occurs.
- Example: 저는 3년 동안 서울에 살았어요. (I lived in Seoul for 3 years.)
- V-는 동안: Refers to an ongoing action (V) happening during another action or event.
- Example: 저는는 공부하는 동안 음악을 듣어요. (I listen to music while studying.)
- Example: 저는는 공부하는 동안 음악을 듣어요. (I listen to music while studying.)
4. Examples
- 저는 3시간 동안 공부했어요. (I studied for 3 hours.)
- 비가 오는 동안 집에 있었어요. (I stayed home while it was raining.)
- 그녀는 10년 동안 한국에서 살았어요. (She lived in Korea for 10 years.)
- 음악을 듣는 동안 숙제를 했어요. (I did my homework while listening to music.)
- 우리는 여름 동안 해외여행을 갈 거예요. (We will go on an overseas trip during the summer.)
- 그는 영화를 보는 동안 팝콘을 먹었어요. (He ate popcorn while watching the movie.)
- 아이들은 2시간 동안 놀이터에서 놀았어요. (The children played in the playground for 2 hours.)
- 회의하는 동안 중요한 결정을 내렸어요. (We made important decisions during the meeting.)
- 그녀는 일주일 동안 아팠어요. (She was sick for a week.)
- 운전하는 동안 전화하지 마세요. (Don’t use your phone while driving.)
- 우리는 겨울 동안 스키를 탈 거예요. (We will ski during the winter.)
- 우리는 일 년 동안 열심히 준비했어요. (We prepared hard for a year.)
- 그는 책을 읽는 동안 커피를 마셨어요. (He drank coffee while reading a book.)
- 그들은 5년 동안 연애했어요. (They dated for 5 years.)
- 요리하는 동안 라디오를 들었어요. (I listened to the radio while cooking.)
- 우리는 휴가 동안 새로운 친구를 사귀었어요. (We made new friends during our vacation.)
- 그녀는 잠자는 동안 꿈을 꾸었어요. (She had a dream while sleeping.)
- 저는 대학교 다니는 동안 아르바이트를 했어요. (I worked part-time while attending university.)
- 그들은 전쟁 동안 어려움을 겪었어요. (They experienced hardships during the war.)
- 저는 샤워하는 동안 노래를 불렀어요. (I sang while taking a shower.)
5. Key Points to Remember
- N동안 is used when referring to a specific period of time, such as days, months, or years.
- V-는 동안 is used to describe an action happening continuously during another action or time period.
- Ensure the correct form is used based on whether the time period is a noun or an ongoing action.
6. Practice Exercises
- 저는 __________ 책을 읽었어요. (I read a book during 1 year)
- 그녀는 __________ 음악을 들었어요. (She listened to music while cooking)
- 우리는 __________ 영화를 봤어요. (We watched a movie while traveling)
- 저는 학교에 __________ 친구를 만났어요. (I met my friend while being at school for 2 hours)
- 그는 집에 __________ 일을 했어요. (He worked while staying at home for a week)
- 저는 __________ 음악을 들었어요. (I listened to music while exercising for 30 minutes)
- 저는 __________ 많은 것을 배웠어요. (I learned a lot while traveling for 3 months)
- 그는 __________ 책을 찾았어요. (He found a book while being at the library for 2 hours)
- 저는 __________ 집중을 잘 해요. (I concentrate well while studying for a whole day)
- 우리는 __________ 커피를 마셨어요. (We drank coffee while working for a week)
7. Answers
- 1년 동안
- 요리하는 동안
- 여행하는 동안
- 2시간 동안
- 1주일 동안
- 30분 동안
- 3개월 동안
- 2시간 동안
- 하루 종일 동안
- 1주일 동안
8. Common Mistakes and Tips
1. Choosing Between N 동안 and V-는 동안
❌ Mistake:
“저는 공부 동안 음악을 들었어요.” (Incorrect: “I listened to music during study.”)
✅ Tip:
- N 동안 → Used for specific time periods.
- V-는 동안 → Used for actions happening simultaneously.
✅ Correct Examples:
- 저는 3시간 동안 책을 읽었어요. (I read a book for 3 hours.)
- 저는 공부하는 동안 음악을 들었어요. (I listened to music while studying.)
2. Keeping Tenses Consistent
❌ Mistake:
“저는 운동하는 동안 나가요.” (Incorrect: “I go out while exercising.”)
✅ Tip:
Match verb tenses properly based on:
- Completed actions (Past tense)
- Ongoing actions (Present tense)
- Habitual actions (Present tense)
✅ Correct Examples:
- 저는 운동하는 동안 나갔어요. (I went out while exercising.)
- 저는 보통 운동하는 동안 음악을 들어요. (I usually listen to music while exercising.)
3. Avoiding Past Tense Errors
❌ Mistake:
“저는 학교에 간 동안 책을 읽었어요.” (Incorrect: “I read a book while I went to school.”)
✅ Tip:
- Use V-는 동안 → For actions happening at the same time.
- Use N 동안 → For a specific time period.
✅ Correct Examples:
- 저는 학교에 가는 동안 책을 읽어요. (I read a book while going to school.)
- 저는 수업 동안 열심히 필기했어요. (I took notes diligently during class.)
Mastering N동안 and V-는 동안 will help you talk about time and actions in Korean more fluently. Remember that N동안 is used for specific time periods, while V-는 동안 is used for describing ongoing actions happening during another action or event. With practice and by using these forms correctly, you’ll be able to express yourself more naturally in Korean.