Learn Hardcore Chinese: wǒmen yìbiān kàn diànyǐng, yìbiān hē chá.

It’s the 一边…一边… pattern, used when the same subject performs two actions simultaneously. Template: Subject + 一边 + V1 (+ O1)，一边 + V2 (+ O2). In this sentence, the subject 我们 is doing both actions at the same time.

Do I have to repeat 一边 on both sides?

Yes, standard usage repeats it: 一边…，一边…. Colloquially you may see 边…边… (dropping the 一) or short forms like 一边看，一边喝, but for learners the full, repeated 一边 is safest and clearest.

Can I switch the order of the two actions?

Yes. 我们一边看电影，一边喝茶 and 我们一边喝茶，一边看电影 are both fine. The order can slightly highlight which action you consider primary, but meaning-wise they both express simultaneity.

Can I add the progressive marker 在 (e.g., 我们一边在看电影，一边喝茶)?

Avoid combining 在 with this pattern; 一边…一边… already implies “while/at the same time.” Use either:

我们一边看电影，一边喝茶 (preferred), or
我们在看电影，同时喝茶 / 我们在看电影的同时喝茶 (use 同时 instead of 一边).

What about aspect markers like 了 or 着?

了 (completed action) clashes with simultaneity here, so don’t use 一边看了电影，一边喝了茶.
着 can mark a continuous background action: 我们一边看着电影，一边喝茶 puts extra emphasis on the ongoing “watching.” Usually you don’t need it; the base pattern is enough.

How do I show past, present, or future?

Chinese uses time words, not tense. Put time expressions before the verb phrases (ideally before the whole pattern if they apply to both actions):

昨天我们一边看电影，一边喝茶。
现在我们一边看电影，一边喝茶。
周末我们一边看电影，一边喝茶。

How do I negate it or make a prohibition?

Place the negative before the verb:

Habitual/neutral negation: 我们一边看电影，一边不说话。
Prohibition: 别一边看电影，一边说话。 Using 没 is for “did not” (past/non-occurrence) and isn’t typical with this simultaneous pattern.

Can different subjects appear on each side (e.g., “We watch a movie while they drink tea”)?

No. 一边…一边… assumes the same subject for both actions. If subjects differ, use separate clauses:

我们看电影，他们喝茶。
我们看电影的同时，他们在喝茶。

Are there good alternatives to say “while/at the same time”?

Yes, with slightly different flavors:

的时候: 我们看电影的时候喝茶 (when we watch movies, we drink tea). Asymmetric; emphasizes “drinking tea” during the time of watching.
同时: 我们看电影，同时喝茶 (more formal/written).
边…边…: 边看电影，边喝茶 (short, colloquial).
一面…一面…: more literary.
又…又…: commonly for adjectives or listing actions (e.g., 又唱又跳), but it doesn’t highlight simultaneity as explicitly as 一边…一边….

Where do time/place words go?

Put shared time/place before the whole pattern:

我们晚上在家一边看电影，一边喝茶。 Avoid 我们一边在家看电影，一边喝茶, because 在家 then modifies only the first action.

Is the punctuation correct? Could I write it without a comma?

Standard writing uses a comma: …一边V1，一边V2。 You’ll also see it without a comma in short phrases (一边看电影一边喝茶), but the comma is preferred in full sentences.

How do I pronounce everything? Why is it yìbiān, not yíbiān?

Pinyin with tones: wǒmen yìbiān kàn diànyǐng, yìbiān hē chá. Tone sandhi for 一: before a 4th-tone syllable it becomes second tone (yí); otherwise it’s fourth tone (yì). Since 边 is first tone, it’s yìbiān.

Why doesn’t 电影 need a measure word here? What if I want to count movies?

As an activity, 看电影 doesn’t use a measure word. When counting, use 部:

看一部电影 (watch a movie) Avoid 看一个电影.

Can I add a third action?

Don’t stack three 一边. Add a third action with 还/也:

我们一边看电影，一边喝茶，还吃点心。

Can I drop 一边 entirely and just say 我们看电影喝茶?

It’s grammatical but potentially ambiguous (could be sequential). 一边…一边… or 的时候/同时 explicitly signal simultaneity, so they’re clearer for learners.