German word

während

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛːʁənt/

Meaning

  • conjunctionwhile

Example

Ich höre Musik, während ich koche.

I listen to music while I am cooking.

Illustration for während (while)

More examples

Er arbeitet konzentriert, während die Kollegen reden.

He works attentively while his colleagues are talking.

Core concept

Two parallel tracks show actions happening together or being set against each other.

Common phrases

  • während wir essen

    while we are eating

  • während sie arbeitet

    while she is working

  • während ich lese

    while I am reading

Similar words

wenn: Introduces a subordinate clause expressing a condition or assumption.
als: Introduces a subordinate clause about a single past event or situation.
nachdem: Introduces a subordinate clause for an event that follows a completed one.
bis: Introduces a clause lasting until a specified time or endpoint.

Definition in German

Zwei gleichzeitig stattfindende Handlungen oder Zustände verbindet.

Word origin

Während is historically the present-participle form währende of währen, meaning 'last', later used as a conjunction and preposition.

Usage tips

  • As a conjunction, während starts a subordinate clause, so its finite verb normally comes at the end.

Other meanings

  • duringpreposition
  • whereasconjunction

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word