IPSAE

-(으)며

(eu)myeo

Grammar · 3 senses

Listing actions, states or facts

Examples

그곳은 마치 고향처럼 아늑하고 포근하며 정겨운 느낌을 주는 곳이다.

That place is cozy, warm, and give a feeling like home.

한국 사람들은 매운 음식을 좋아하며 일을 빨리 처리한다고 들었다.

I heard that Koreans like spicy food and get things done quickly.

When you'd hear it

This form is common in formal writing, news reports, presentations, and official descriptions. In casual conversation, speakers usually use -고 instead, although -(으)며 may appear in polished or deliberate speech.

What learners get wrong

For this listing use, -(으)며 is usually a formal alternative to -고 and does not by itself mean that the actions happen simultaneously. Do not automatically confuse it with -(으)면서, which commonly expresses “while” or a contrast.

Listing things

Examples

돈이며 명예며 관심없다.

I don't care about money or fame.

무며 오이며 부추며 갖가지 채소로 김치를 담근다.

Kimchi is made from various vegetables such as white radishes, cucumbers, and leeks.

When you'd hear it

This use appears often in written descriptions, formal speeches, and polished narration, and it can sound emphatic when repeated after several nouns. In casual conversation, speakers more often use 이나 or 하고 for ordinary lists.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse this with the verb/adjective use of -며, which can mean “while” or “and.” In this pattern, it follows nouns in a repeated form such as 돈이며 명예며, rather than linking two actions.

at the same time

Examples

노래를 하며 공부를 한다.

I study while singing.

빨갛고 매운 음식을 먹으며 스트레스를 푸는 장면을 본 적이 있나요?

Have you ever seen a scene where you de-stress by eating red and spicy food?

When you'd hear it

-(으)며 is more common in writing, formal speech, news, presentations, and descriptive narration than in casual conversation. In everyday dialogue, speakers often use -(으)면서 for simultaneous actions instead.

What learners get wrong

Learners often treat -(으)며 and -(으)면서 as equally conversational. Both can link simultaneous actions, but -(으)며 has a formal or written feel, while -(으)면서 is usually the natural choice with friends.

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