Monday, August 17, 2015

...的时候, 以后, and 一边...一边...

When talking about when something happens, "以后" (yǐhòu) and "的时候" (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as "when", but their meanings are different, so they can't be used in situations you might expect them to be used in. "以后" and "的时候" both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb. The structure is Subject + Verb + 以后/的时候, Comment.  "以后" technically means after, so it is used after the action is completed. This can be seen as a way of saying "When you are done (verb)ing". For example, 

  • 下飞机以后给我打一个电话。Give me a call after you get off the plane.

"的时候" means "when" in the sense of during an action. For example, "when you play ball" can be seen as "when you are playing ball." It is this sort of difference that can make "以后" and "的时候" slightly confusing at times.

  • 公司规定工作的时候不能用qq聊天。Company rules say that you can't chat on QQ when you're at work.

"的时候" is also similar to using the 一边 structure. However, "一边" uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候" can use sub-conscious or unexpected actions. The structure is Subject + 一边 + Verb, + 一边 + Verb.  For example, 

  • 我一边看电视,一边吃东西。I watch TV while I eat something. (Note that you must be actively doing both actions. That is, they have to be intentional. If you want to say something happened while another thing was happening, it would be better to use "的时候" (de shíhou).
Please write the following sentences in Chinese
  1. After ten o'clock, I will not be at home.
  2. After I met him, I found out about a lot of things.
  3. After you arrive home you will see my e-mail.
  4. After going to China, she met her husband.
  5. After drinking, I am really happy.
  6. What can you do when you're bored?
  7. You sweat a lot when you play basketball.
  8. Watching TV while you eat can make you gaining weight easily.
  9. Do you like to eat while you drive?
  10. They dance while they sing.
  11. Do you like talking while walking?
  12. Let's eat while we talk.
  13. I listen to music while working
  14. Children like to eat while they play.
  15. That guy laughs while he talks.

Reference 
http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22
http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22
http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Simultaneous_tasks_with_%22yibian%22



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