▎一邊 A 一邊 B, (yìbiān A yìbiān B), connecting two simultaneous events, doing A and B at the same time

 

Function This pattern is used to express two instances that take place at the same time.

1 我常常一邊走路，一邊聽歌。

Wǒ chángcháng yìbiān zǒulù, yìbiān tīng gē.

I often listen to songs while walking.

2 那個小姐喜歡一邊吃飯，一邊看電視。

Nà ge xiǎojiě xǐhuān yìbiān chīfàn, yìbiān kàn diànshì.

That young lady likes to eat while watching TV.

3 我們常常一邊逛夜市，一邊照相。

Wǒmen chángcháng yìbiān guàng yèshì, yìbiān zhàoxiàng.

We often takes pictures while wandering around night markets.

 

Structures The pattern 一邊 A 一邊 B connects two action verb clauses.

Negation：

1 你不可以一邊騎機車，一邊打電話。

Nǐ bù kěyǐ yìbiān qí jīchē, yìbiān dǎ diànhuà.

You can’t ride a motorcycle while talking on the phone.

2 請你不要一邊上課，一邊吃早餐。

Qǐng nǐ bú yào yìbiān shàngkè, yìbiān chī zǎocān.

Please don’t eat breakfast while in class.

3 他沒一邊工作，一邊玩手機。

Tā méi yìbiān gōngzuò, yìbiān wán shǒujī.

He wasn’t using his cell phone while working.

Questions：

1 我們一邊看電視，一邊喝茶嗎？

Wǒmen yìbiān kàn diànshì, yìbiān hē chá ma?

Shall we drink tea while watching TV?

2 老闆，我可以一邊工作，一邊學西班牙文嗎？

Lǎobǎn, wǒ kěyǐ yìbiān gōngzuò, yìbiān xué Xībānyáwén ma?

Boss, can I work and study Spanish at the same time?

3 你是不是一邊上班，一邊念書？

Nǐ shìbúshì yìbiān shàngbān, yìbiān niànshū?

Are you working and studying at the same time?