동안
dong'an[to̞ŋa̠n]
The Korean word for 'while' is 동안 (dong'an).
동안 is used to express the duration of an action or a state, often translated as 'during' or 'for a period of'.
Meaning: during the same time that (conj)
Which one should you use?
While the English 'while' can function as a conjunction, the Korean 동안 is often treated as a dependent noun that requires a preceding modifier to complete its meaning.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
동안 functions as a noun that expresses the duration of an action or state.
How do you pronounce it?
dong'an
Did you know?
- 동안 is of native Korean origin, unlike many other time-related terms in the language that are derived from Chinese characters.
- Korean distinguishes between 동안 for a duration of time and 사이 for a gap or interval between two events, though both can be translated as 'while' or 'during' in English.
- If you want to say 'while' in the sense of 'at the same time' as an action, Korean often uses different grammatical structures like -면서 instead of the noun 동안.
Examples in context
- 내가 없는 동안 꽃들을 돌봐줘.Take care of my flowers while I'm away.This sentence shows how to use 동안 to express a period of absence.Tatoeba #13005457 by Uwe, translation #9454532 by CK
- 그는 여기 잠시 동안 머물러 있었다.He stayed here for a while.This sentence uses 동안 to indicate a short period of time spent somewhere.Tatoeba #11105215 by intertime, translation #290110 by CK
- 떠나 있는 동안 누가 개를 돌봐주지?Who'll take care of the dog while we're gone?This sentence uses 동안 to ask about care during a period of being gone.Tatoeba #11105303 by intertime, translation #247314 by CK
- 저는 독서를 하면서 커피를 마십니다.I drink coffee while reading.
- TV를 보면서 밥을 먹어요.I eat while watching TV.
- 친구하고 이야기하다가 갑자기 비가 왔어요.While talking with my friend, it started raining suddenly.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are talking about studying in the library.
- 서연 Seo-yeon공부하는 동안 휴대폰을 보지 마세요.gongbu-haneun dongan hyudaeponeul boji maseyo.Please don't look at your phone while studying.
- 민준 Min-jun알겠어요. 이제 집중할게요.algyesseoyo. ije jipjunghalkeyo.I understand. I will focus now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon쉬는 동안에만 확인하세요.swineun dongan-emanke hwa-ginhaseyo.Only check it while you are resting.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 그렇게 할게요.ne, geureoke halkeyo.Yes, I'll do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “while” translations and entries 동안, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동안, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
