What Does “während” Mean in German?
The word “während” in German translates to “during” or “while” in English. It serves as both a preposition and a subordinating conjunction, allowing speakers to indicate simultaneous actions or events happening within the same time frame. Knowing when and how to use “während” correctly can make your speech and writing sound much more natural.
“während” as a Preposition
When used as a preposition, “während” means “during” and is followed by a noun or pronoun in the genitive case. This usage is common in written and formal German, although in spoken language, the dative case is sometimes used, especially in informal contexts.
Examples:
- Während des Unterrichts darf man nicht essen. (You are not allowed to eat during the lesson.)
- Während meiner Reise habe ich viele Fotos gemacht. (I took many photos during my trip.)
Notice that the nouns following “während” are in the genitive case: “des Unterrichts,” “meiner Reise.”
“während” as a Subordinating Conjunction
As a subordinating conjunction, “während” means “while” and introduces a subordinate clause. In this case, it is used to connect two actions or events that happen at the same time. Remember that in German, the verb in the subordinate clause moves to the end of the clause.
Examples:
- Während ich koche, hört mein Bruder Musik. (While I cook, my brother listens to music.)
- Sie liest ein Buch, während er schläft. (She reads a book while he sleeps.)
The structure makes it clear which actions occur simultaneously, a key skill for more advanced German communication.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
German learners often confuse when to use “während” as a preposition versus a conjunction, or they may use the wrong case after the preposition. Here are a few tips:
- Use the genitive case after “während” as a preposition (e.g., während des Films).
- When using “während” as a conjunction, put the verb at the end of the subordinate clause (e.g., während ich arbeite).
- In informal spoken German, you might hear the dative case after “während,” but strive for genitive in writing and formal settings.
Practice Tips for Using “während”
To master “während,” try the following strategies:
- Write sentences using “während” both as a preposition and as a conjunction.
- Listen to native speakers in podcasts or language apps like Talkpal to hear “während” in context.
- Practice swapping the order of main and subordinate clauses to get comfortable with German word order.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use “während” in a sentence is a valuable skill for anyone learning German. Whether you’re talking about activities happening at the same time or describing what occurred during a specific event, mastering “während” will help you communicate more fluently. Keep practicing with real-life examples and interactive tools like those available on Talkpal’s AI language learning blog, and you’ll soon use “während” with confidence in both speaking and writing.
