Korean grammar - During, while, for: 동안

During, while, for: 동안

Pattern: Noun + 동안

Simultaneous events or actions or duration for time can be expressed using the word 동안.

• Attached to a noun 동안 means during.

• Attached to a counter of time (hour, day, week etc.) 동안 means for the duration of.

The particle 에 is often attached to 동안 ⇒ 동안에 but is optional.

Examples:
	곰은 겨울 동안에 자요. Bears sleep during winter.
	여름 동안 바다에서 수영해요. During the summer, I swim in the ocean.
	어제 열두 시간 동안 잤어요. Yesterday, (I) slept for twelve hours.
	한국어를 얼마 동안 배웠어요? How long have (you) been learning Korean?
	대학에서 한국어를 삼 년 동안 공부했다. At university I studied Korean for three years.
	얼마 동안 한국에 있었어요? How long were (you) in Korea?
	일주일 동안 한국에 있었어요. (I) was in Korea for a week.
	저는 방학 동안 해외에 있었어요. I was abroad during vacation.
	그들은 세 시간 동안 운동했어요. They worked out for three hours.
	그는 이틀 동안 못 먹었어요. He hasn't eaten for two days.
	저희는 쉬는 시간 동안 축구를 해요. We play soccer during our break.
	그녀는 두 달 동안 운동을 안 했어요. She hasn't exercised in two months.
	오빠는 서울에서 팔 년 동안 살았어요. (My) brother lived in Seoul for eight years.