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Unit 7: While Doing (-(으)ㄹ 겸)

When you do one action that serves two purposes, you use -(으)ㄹ 겸 in Easy Korean. It translates to "while doing [A] (and also [B])" or "to do [A] and [B] at the same time."

Structure

Verb Stem 1 + -(으)ㄹ 겸 (Verb Stem 2 + -(으)ㄹ 겸)

You can use it just once, or twice to list both purposes! - 운동하다 -> 운동할 겸 - 산책하다 -> 산책할 겸 - 운동도 할 겸 산책도 할 겸 (To exercise and take a walk at the same time)

Usage

Usually followed by the main action that achieves these purposes. - 바람도 쐴 겸 밖에 나갔어요. (I went outside to get some fresh air [and do other things].) - 한국어 연습도 할 겸 한국 친구를 만나요. (I am meeting a Korean friend to practice Korean [while I'm at it].)

Examples

  • 쇼핑도 할 겸 친구도 만날 겸 시내에 갔어요. (I went downtown to go shopping and also meet a friend.)