German word

zwischendurch

Pronunciation

IPA/t͡svɪʃn̩ˈdʊʁç/

Meaning

  • adverbin between

Example

Ich esse zwischendurch einen Apfel.

I eat an apple in between.

Illustration for zwischendurch (in between)

More examples

Ich arbeite konzentriert, aber zwischendurch mache ich kurze Pausen.

I work intently, but I take short breaks in between.

Core concept

A brief side action slips into the time between two stretches of a longer activity.

Common phrases

  • zwischendurch etwas essen

    eat something in between

  • zwischendurch eine Pause machen

    take a break in between

Similar words

zwischendrin: A brief event occurs partway through an ongoing process.
ab und zu: Something happens now and then without a regular schedule.
manchmal: An event occurs on some occasions but not others.
gelegentlich: Something takes place from time to time.

Definition in German

Beschreibt kurze Aktionen oder Pausen, die sich in den Ablauf einer längeren Tätigkeit einschieben.

Word origin

The adverb combines zwischen ('between') with durch ('through'), extending a spatial idea to something happening during an intervening period.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English 'in between,' zwischendurch often means 'now and then' or 'during a break,' as in Ich esse zwischendurch einen Apfel.

Other meanings

  • occasionallyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word