jat1 bin6一便
Jyutpingjat1 bin6
Yaleyāt bihn
Definition
Simultaneously doing two actions; at the same time.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Native speakers overwhelmingly prefer the variant 一面 over 一便 when describing simultaneous actions. While both are understood, 一面 carries a more natural rhythm in spoken Cantonese. It is common to drop the second 一 when the context is clear, simply using 一面 X 一 Y to convey the same meaning.
Examples
He is listening to music while doing his homework.
Can you walk and talk at the same time?
Related words
Common phrases
jat1一bin6便...jat1一bin6便...
doing one thing while doing another
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin structure 一邊. In Cantonese, using 一便 can sound slightly formal or influenced by written Chinese, so sticking to 一面 is safer for daily conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
