French word

tandis

Pronunciation

IPA/tɑ̃di/

Meaning

  • conjunctionwhile

Example

Je lis un livre, tandis qu'il écoute la radio.

I am reading a book while he is listening to the radio.

Illustration for tandis (while)

More examples

Elle prépare le dîner tandis que les enfants font leurs devoirs.

She gets dinner ready while the children do their homework.

Core concept

A split screen shows one activity set against or running alongside another.

Common phrases

  • tandis que

    while

Similar words

pendant que: Introduces an action or event that continues while another takes place.
alors que: Highlights a contrast between an expectation or situation and reality.
quand: Marks the time when something happens.
lorsque: Marks a specific time when an event occurs, in a somewhat formal style.

Definition in French

Introduit une proposition en contraste ou en simultané par rapport à une autre, le plus souvent sous la forme «tandis que ...».

Word origin

The conjunction grew from Old French tandis, an adverb of time and contrast, followed by que; this pairing became established as tandis que in later French.

Usage tips

  • When the intended meaning is simple simultaneous duration, pendant que is often more natural, while tandis que readily signals contrast.

Other meanings

  • whereasconjunction

Word lists with this word