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Korean Grammar Point
~동안 [dongan] (During/While)

~동안 [dongan] (During/While)

Short explanation:

Used to express the duration of an action or a situation.

Formation:

Noun (indicating time) + 동안 / Verb + 동안

Examples:

저는 겨울 방학 동안 그림을 많이 그렸어요, 왜냐하면 그것이 제 취미이기 때문이죠.
Jeoneun gyeoul banghak dongan geurimeul manhi geuryeosseoyo, waenyahamyeon geugeosi je chwimigie ttaemunijyo.
I drew a lot of pictures during the winter break because it's my hobby.
요리를 동안 전화가 계속 울려서 요리에 집중할 수 없었어요.
Yorireul dongan jeonhwaga gyesok ullyeoseo yorie jibjunghal su eopseosseoyo.
While I was cooking, the phone kept ringing so I couldn't concentrate on the cooking.
저는 노래방에서 노래를 불렀을 동안 친구들은 모두 춤을 춰서 너무 재미 있었어요.
Jeoneun noraebangeseo noraereul bulleosseul dongan chingudeureun modu chumeul chwoseo neomu jaemi isseosseoyo.
While I was singing at the karaoke, all my friends were dancing and it was so much fun.
그녀는 집에 없을 동안 도둑이 와서 그녀의 모든 가치있는 것들을 훔쳤어요.
Geunyeoneun jibe opsseul dongan doduki waseo geunyeoui modeun gachiissneun geosdeureul humchyeosseoyo.
While she was not at home, a thief came and stole all her valuable things.

Long explanation:

'~동안 [dongan]' is used to indicate the period or time span during which a particular action or situation occurs. It typically translates to 'during' or 'while' in English. It's useful when expressing ongoing actions over a certain period of time or describing the duration of an action.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~동안 [dongan] (During/While)

Korean Grammar Point: ~동안 [dongan] (During/While)

Korean Grammar Point: ~동안 [dongan] (During/While)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ~동안 is used to express the duration of an action or state, indicating "during" or "while" something is happening. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Korean to describe the time frame in which an activity occurs.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

  • Meaning: The term 동안 means "during" or "while." It indicates a period in which something takes place.
  • Structure: It is typically used after a noun or a time expression to provide clarity on when an action occurs.

Formation: 

[Noun] + 동안

Visual Aids

Noun Example Sentence Translation
수업 (class) 수업 동안 조용히 해 주세요. Please be quiet during class.
여름 (summer) 여름 동안 여행할 거예요. I will travel during the summer.
공부 (study) 4시간 동안 공부했어요. I studied for 4 hours.

Time Expressions

You can also use ~동안 with time expressions to specify the duration further.

Time Expression Example Sentence Translation
3일 (3 days) 3일 동안 서울에 있었습니다. I was in Seoul for 3 days.
2년 (2 years) 2년 동안 한국어를 배웠어요. I studied Korean for 2 years.
한 달 (one month) 한 달 동안 여행을 갔어요. I traveled for one month.

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points:

  • 동안 vs 부터 (from):
    • ~동안 indicates a duration while something happens.
    • 부터 indicates the starting point of an action or activity, while 동안 indicates how long it lasts.
      • Example: “집에서 3시간 동안 공부했어요.” (I studied at home for 3 hours.)
      • Versus “3시부터 6시까지 공부했어요.” (I studied from 3 PM to 6 PM.)

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Context

  • 회의 동안 모든 참석자들이 집중하였습니다.
    (During the meeting, all participants were focused.)

Informal Context

  • 영화 보는 동안 친구랑 이야기했어.
    (I talked with my friend while watching the movie.)

Written Context

  • 이번 프로젝트 동안 우리는 많은 도전을 겪었습니다.
    (During this project, we faced many challenges.)

Spoken Context

  • 자는 동안 꿈을 꿨어.
    (I had a dream while I was sleeping.)

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korea, the use of time-related expressions is significant in both daily conversations and formal situations. Knowing when to use ~동안 appropriately reflects an understanding of Korean time concepts and helps to convey politeness and respect.

Levels of Politeness

The examples provided can be altered for formality based on the context. Using polite endings (e.g., -요) shows respect and is important in Korean culture when addressing elders or superiors.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 여름 방학 동안 많은 여행을 갔어요.
    (I traveled a lot during the summer vacation.)

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Omission of noun: Learners might forget to attach a noun before 동안.
    • Correct: 나가 있는 동안 (during the time I'm out)

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Devices: Remember that 동안 relates to "duration" by associating it with the English word "long" (as in the duration of time).

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~동안 means "during" or "while."
  • It is used to describe the period when an action takes place.
  • Remember to attach nouns and time expressions correctly.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. How do you say "I studied for 2 hours" using ~동안?
  2. What does ~동안 indicate in a sentence?
  3. Write a sentence using ~동안 to describe an activity. Feel free to try answering the quiz questions to reinforce your understanding!
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