边

biān

nounadverbpreposition★Beginner

general

Side, edge, or border of something

桌子的边

The edge of the table

国家的边界

The national border

general

Side (as in one of two or more parts)

我站在你这边

I'm on your side

general

While, during (used to indicate an action happening simultaneously)

边走边看

To walk and look at the same time

Collocations

边界boundary这边this side那边that side边上next to, beside

边走边看phrase

to do two things at the same time

一边phrase

one side

The word '边' can mean both 'side' and 'while', so pay attention to the context to determine the correct meaning.

When '边' is used to mean 'while', it typically appears in the structure '边...边...' to describe two actions happening at the same time.

From Middle Chinese *pien, meaning 'side' or 'edge'

When used as an adverb meaning 'while', it often appears in the structure '边...边...' to indicate two actions happening simultaneously.

边

side, edge, or while

root

汉英词典