Simultaneous Events: 与此同时
与此同时
Use 与此同时 to express that two events happen at the same time or in parallel
与此同时 (at the same time / meanwhile) is a formal connective used to introduce a second event or development that occurs simultaneously with the first. It typically appears at the beginning of a second clause, often preceded by a comma.
与此同时 is more literary and formal than 同时. It is commonly found in news reports, academic writing, and formal speeches. In casual conversation, 同时 or 一边……一边…… are preferred.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Simultaneous Events: 与此同时 (与此同时)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 与此同时 pattern
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Understanding 与此同时
与此同时 literally breaks down as 与 (with) + 此 (this) + 同时 (same time), meaning "at the same time as this." It is used to connect two parallel events, developments, or situations. Unlike 一边……一边…… which describes one person doing two things at once, 与此同时 often links two separate but concurrent developments — especially in narrative, journalistic, or analytical contexts. For example, a news report might say the economy is growing, 与此同时 environmental problems are worsening. It carries a sense of contrast or parallel progression that makes your writing sound more sophisticated and analytical.
Key Points
- 与此同时 = "at the same time / meanwhile / simultaneously" — a formal connective.
- It links two concurrent events or developments, often in different domains.
- Placement: typically at the start of the second clause, after a comma or period.
- More formal than 同时; suitable for written Chinese, news, and speeches.
- Can imply contrast (A is happening, but meanwhile B is also happening).
- Often used when describing trends, changes, or parallel developments.
In Chinese academic and journalistic writing, transitional phrases like 与此同时 are essential for building logical flow. Using them correctly signals a high level of Chinese literacy and is expected in HSK 7-9 level writing tasks.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
太阳落山了，与此同时下起了大雨。
The sun set, and at the same time it started to rain heavily.
他的眼睛开始不停地流泪，与此同时他的视力也变得越来越差。
His eyes began to tear up constantly, and at the same time his eyesight got worse and worse.
城市在快速发展，与此同时，环境问题也日益严重。
The city is developing rapidly; meanwhile, environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious.
公司的收入在增长，与此同时，成本也在不断上升。
The company's revenue is growing; at the same time, costs are also rising.
他在国外努力工作，与此同时，家人在国内一直等着他回来。
He was working hard abroad; meanwhile, his family back home kept waiting for his return.
科技进步给我们带来了便利，与此同时也带来了新的挑战。
Technological progress has brought us convenience, and at the same time new challenges.
Common Mistakes
与此同时 connects two separate clauses about concurrent events. For one person doing two things at once, use 一边……一边…….
与此同时 needs a preceding context — the "this" in "at the same time as this" must refer to a stated first event.
与此同时 is a connective between two clauses, not an adverb modifying a single adjective.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 与此同时 as a formal "meanwhile" — it works best when connecting two separate developments or situations.
Use it in essays and formal writing to show you can handle advanced connectives.
Do not confuse it with 一边……一边…… which is for one person doing two things at once.
Practice by pairing positive and negative trends: A is improving, 与此同时 B is worsening.
Homework
Write a short paragraph about a current social trend (e.g., technology, education, urbanization) using 与此同时 at least twice to connect parallel developments.