Coordinate Structure: “一边……，一边……”

In Chinese the pattern “一边……，一边……” (yìbiān..., yìbiān...) shows that two actions are done at the same time.

The pattern can also be shortened to “边……边……”.

Basic Structure

一边 + action 1，一边 + action 2

to do … while doing …

… at the same time as …

Short form:

边 + action 1 + 边 + action 2

咱们一边吃蛋糕，一边聊天儿吧

Structure

一边吃蛋糕 + 一边聊天儿 eat cake + chat at the same time 咱们 — we 一边吃蛋糕 — while eating cake 一边聊天儿 — and chatting at the same time 吧 — marks a suggestion

In this sentence eating the cake and chatting happen at once.

我喜欢一边跑步，一边听音乐

Structure

一边跑步 + 一边听音乐 run + listen to music at the same time 我喜欢 — I like 一边跑步 — while running 一边听音乐 — and listening to music at the same time

Here the running and the listening happen at the same time.

你不应该边开车边打电话

Structure

边开车 + 边打电话 drive + be on the phone at the same time 你不应该 — you shouldn't … 边开车 — while driving 边打电话 — and making a phone call at the same time

This sentence uses the short form 边……边…… .

一边 + action 1，一边 + action 2

or the short form:

边 + action 1 + 边 + action 2

Meaning: two actions are carried out at the same time.

Examples:

一边吃蛋糕，一边聊天儿

一边跑步，一边听音乐

边开车边打电话