German word

derweil

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdeːɐ̯ˈvaɪ̯l/

Meaning

  • adverbmeanwhile

Example

Warte hier, derweil ich kurz einkaufen gehe.

Wait here while I quickly go shopping.

Illustration for derweil (meanwhile)

More examples

Warte hier, derweil ich kurz etwas koche.

Wait here while I quickly cook something.

Core concept

A second action unfolding during the time occupied by the first.

Common phrases

  • derweil ich koche

    while I cook

  • derweil er arbeitet

    while he works

  • derweil wir sprechen

    while we talk

Similar words

inzwischen: Indicates what has happened or changed during the time in between.
währenddessen: Describes something occurring simultaneously while another event continues.

Definition in German

Wird verwendet, um auszudrücken, dass während einer Handlung etwas anderes passiert.

Word origin

Derweil combines the older demonstrative element der with Middle High German wile, meaning a period of time, and is related to English while.

Usage tips

  • Derweil is more common in written or formal German, while inzwischen and währenddessen are frequent alternatives in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • whereasadverb
  • whileadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word