English–German
“meanwhile” in German
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈdeːɐ̯ˈvaɪ̯l/
Example
Warte hier, derweil ich kurz einkaufen gehe.
Wait here while I quickly go shopping.
How to say “meanwhile” in German
“Meanwhile” in German is derweil.
A second action unfolding during the time occupied by the first.
Example sentences with derweil
Warte hier, derweil ich kurz etwas koche.
Wait here while I quickly cook something.
Tips for using derweil
- Derweil is more common in written or formal German, while inzwischen and währenddessen are frequent alternatives in everyday speech.
Other German words for “meanwhile”
Die Kinder spielten draußen, und dazwischen schlief der Hund.
The children played outside, and meanwhile the dog slept.
Ich koche, inzwischen schläft das Baby.
I'm cooking; meanwhile, the baby is sleeping.
Die Mannschaft trainiert hart; unterdessen plant der Trainer die Taktik.
The team is training hard; meanwhile, the coach is planning the strategy.
Ich war kurz weg; zwischenzeitlich hat er das Abendessen vorbereitet.
I was away briefly; meanwhile, he prepared dinner.
Ich bereite das Essen zu, und währenddessen spielt das Kind im Zimmer.
I am preparing the food, and meanwhile the child is playing in the room.