This pattern expresses the length of time starting when a certain action or behavior begins and lasting until it ends.

It corresponds to 'during' or 'while' in English.

After nouns, 동안 is added, and after verbs -는 동안 is added.

Details

When used in the form 'V-는 동안', the subjects of the first and second clauses can be either the same or different.

(내가) 한국에서 사는 동안 (나는) 좋은 친구들을 많이 만났어요.

While I lived in Korea, I made a lot of good friends.

내가 친구들과 노는 동안 동생은 학교에서 열심히 공부했어요.

While I played with my friends, my little brother/sister was studying hard at school.

Comparison:

How are -(으)면서 and -는 동안 different?

-(으)면서 is used when one person performs two or more actions simultaneously. However, -는 동안(에) can be used even when the subjects of the first and second clauses are not the same; that is, it can be used to indicate that while the subject of the first clause is performing some action, the subject of the second clause is also performing an action.

Kimchi Reader

Indicates the time period when a certain action begins and lasts until it ends.

Details

Usage with verbs

Can also be used with verbs in the form of 는 동안

한국에서 사는 동안 좋은 친구들을 많이 만났어요.

While I lived in Korea, I made a lot of good friends.

어머니가 요리하는 동안 아버지가 청소를 해요.

While my mother is cooking, my father cleans the house.

N 동안, V-는 동안

Kimchi Reader

Usage with verbs