1.
at the same time; simultaneously
Two or more events happening at the same moment or in parallel.
二人が同時に立った。
The two stood up at the same time.
電話と来客が同時に来た。
A phone call and a visitor came at the same time.
音楽を聴くのと同時に勉強するのは難しい。
It's hard to study and listen to music at the same time.
2.
at the same time; also; as well
Used to add another characteristic or aspect, meaning 'and also' or 'while being.'
彼は教師であると同時に作家でもある。
He is a teacher and at the same time a writer.
この問題は難しいと同時に面白い。
This problem is difficult and at the same time interesting.
彼女は優しいと同時に厳しい面もある。
She is kind but at the same time has a strict side too.
A versatile adverbial expression with two main uses. In its literal sense, it describes simultaneous events. In its connective sense (Aと同時にB), it links two coexisting qualities or facts about the same subject, similar to English 'while also being.'
PATTERN:
- Verb dictionary form + と同時に: at the same time as doing
- Noun/adjective + であると同時に: while also being
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- それと同時に: and at the same time
- 開始と同時に: at the same time as the start
- Aであると同時にB: being A while also being B
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 一斉に: all at once — emphasizes everyone doing something together, not two parallel events
- 併せて: together with; at the same time — more formal, often used in written or business contexts