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一面…,一面…

while doing A, (also) doing B

Structure
一面 动作A , 一面 动作B

What it means

“While doing A, also doing B”: joins two actions one subject carries on over the same period, or two lines of policy pursued together.

How it is built

(Subject) + 一面 + action A , 一面 + action B: 他一面读研究生,一面在一家公司实习 (he is doing a master's degree while interning at a company).

When to use it

More formal than 一边…一边…, the everyday choice for two things done at the same moment (一边吃饭一边看手机). 一方面…另一方面… (3-3) sets out two sides of a situation, not two actions.

Watch out

Don't mix the halves of different pairs. ✗ 政府一方面鼓励出口,一面扩大消费 ✓ 政府一面鼓励出口,一面扩大消费.

Examples

船队一面借着季风航行,一面在沿途的港口停泊。
The fleet sailed with the monsoon while putting in at ports along the way.
他一面读研究生,一面在一家公司实习。
He is doing a master’s degree while working as an intern at a company.
政府一面鼓励出口,一面努力扩大国内消费。
The government is encouraging exports while working to expand domestic spending.
Learn this in Lesson 97 · HSK 6–7: 郑和下西洋 (Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Ocean)
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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