German word

zwischenzeitlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsvɪʃn̩ˌtsaɪ̯tlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbmeanwhile

Example

Ich war kurz weg; zwischenzeitlich hat er das Abendessen vorbereitet.

I was away briefly; meanwhile, he prepared dinner.

Illustration for zwischenzeitlich (meanwhile)

More examples

Das Problem war zwischenzeitlich erledigt.

The problem had been taken care of in the meantime.

Core concept

A short stretch of time lies between two events, while another action happens in that interval.

Common phrases

  • zwischenzeitlich verfügbar

    available in the meantime

  • zwischenzeitlich erledigt

    taken care of in the meantime

Similar words

inzwischen: In the meantime, another event has already occurred.
zwischendurch: Brief actions take place intermittently between other activities.
unterdessen: Another event takes place while the main event is still unfolding.

Definition in German

vorübergehend während der dazwischenliegenden Zeit; währenddessen

Word origin

Zwischenzeitlich is formed from zwischen ('between'), Zeit ('time'), and the adjective-forming suffix -lich, with the adjective used adverbially.

Usage tips

  • Zwischenzeitlich is more common in formal or written German, while inzwischen is usually more natural in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • temporarilyadverb
  • in betweenadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Zwischenzeitintervening periodnoun
  • zwischenzeitigtemporaryadjective

Word lists with this word