同时 · 在……的同时
at the same time; while doing A, also B
Structure
A ， 同时 （也／还） B · 在 + 动词短语 + 的同时 ， B
What it means
同时 joins two things that go together: “…, and at the same time …”. 在……的同时 means “while doing A, also B”.
How it is built
A，同时（也／还）B: 我们要努力工作，同时也要注意身体 (work hard, and look after your health too). 在 + verb phrase + 的同时，B: 在学习汉语的同时，他也了解了中国文化.
When to use it
Fits writing and careful speech. Right before a verb, 同时 can also mean “at the same moment”: 同时打开. For one person doing two physical actions, everyday speech prefers 一边……一边: 一边吃饭一边看电视.
Watch out
The second half usually has 也 or 还: 同时也要注意身体. Keep 的 in 在……的同时. For eating while watching TV, 一边吃饭一边看电视 sounds far more natural than 吃饭，同时看电视.
Examples
我们要努力工作，同时也要注意身体。
We should work hard, and at the same time look after our health.
微信红包很好玩儿，同时也让家人们走得更近了。
WeChat red envelopes are fun, and they also bring the family closer.
在学习汉语的同时，他也了解了中国文化。
While learning Chinese, he also got to know Chinese culture.
他们两个人同时打开了红包。
The two of them opened the red envelope at the same moment.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 8: 微信红包 (Digital red envelopes)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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