HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#20
Expressing “While You’re at It” with “shùnbiàn”
顺便
How it works
顺便 (shùnbiàn) means “while you’re at it,” “on the way,” or “by the way, do this too.” It is used when someone does one action together with another convenient action.
The pattern
Verb 1, 顺便 (shùnbiàn) + Verb 2 or 顺便 (shùnbiàn) + Verb
Example sentences
你去楼下买咖啡的时候，顺便帮我带一瓶水吧。
When you go downstairs to buy coffee, bring me a bottle of water while you’re at it.
我下午要去银行，顺便把这封信寄出去。
I am going to the bank this afternoon, and I will mail this letter while I’m at it.
他来办公室拿资料，顺便跟经理谈了谈。
He came to the office to get some documents and, while he was at it, had a talk with the manager.
Key point
顺便 (shùnbiàn) usually suggests convenience and efficiency: one action is done naturally together with another.