-으며
-eumyeo
and; while (listing/simultaneous)
Attaches to a verb or adjective stem to list two or more actions, states, or facts together, or to show that two actions happen at the same time -- similar to English 'and' or 'while.'
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -며
Meanings
- 1
A connective ending used to list more than two actions, states, or facts.
두 가지 이상의 동작이나 상태, 사실을 나열함을 나타내는 연결 어미.
- 2
A connective ending used when more than two actions or states happen at the same time.
두 가지 이상의 동작이나 상태가 함께 일어남을 나타내는 연결 어미.
Examples
법이란 무엇이며 왜 법을 지켜야 하는가?
What is law, and why must we obey it?
어머니는 나에게 친구이고 스승이며 영웅이셨다.
My mother was a friend, a teacher, and a hero to me.
선생님께서는 겸손하시고 검소하시며 점잖으신 분이셨다.
The teacher was humble, frugal, and dignified.
승규는 가족에게 손을 흔들며 기차에 올랐다.
Seunggyu boarded the train while waving to his family.
모두가 깜짝 놀라며 어떻게 된 일이냐고 물었다.
Everyone was startled and asked what had happened.
지수는 두리번거리며 무엇인가를 찾고 있었다.
Jisu was looking around, searching for something.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-으며’ mean?
2. Which form means “and; while (listing/simultaneous)”?