-는 사이에
while; during the (short) time that
Attaches to a verb stem to indicate a short span of time in the middle of an ongoing action or situation, during which something else happens.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -는 사이
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate a certain, short time in the middle of an act or situation.
어떤 행동이나 상황이 일어나는 중간의 어느 짧은 시간을 나타내는 표현.
Examples
쟤는 언제 온 거야?
When did he get here?
네가 잠깐 조는 사이에 왔어.
He came while you dozed off for a moment.
잠깐 방심하는 사이에 사고가 생길 수 있다.
An accident can happen in the brief moment you let your guard down.
기회는 눈 깜짝하는 사이에 지나간다.
Opportunity passes by in the blink of an eye.
갈팡질팡하는 사이에 많은 시간이 흘러갔다.
A lot of time passed while I was dithering back and forth.
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 ‘-는 사이에’ mean?
2. Which form means “while; during the (short) time that”?