nebenher
on the side
In addition to a main activity or main job; as a side job or secondary activity.
EXAMPLE
Sie studiert Medizin und arbeitet nebenher als Kellnerin.
She is studying medicine and works as a waitress on the side.
nebenher
on the side / meanwhile
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Meanings
nebenher
meanwhile
At the same time as something else, and rather casually or without much concentration.
EXAMPLE
Er hörte nebenher Radio, während er kochte.
He listened to the radio meanwhile while he was cooking.
Usage tips
Word structure
The adverb 'nebenher' consists of 'neben' (beside/alongside) and 'her' (here/from there). It literally describes an action that 'runs alongside' another one, meaning it happens at the same time or additionally.
EXAMPLE
Beim Aufräumen habe ich nebenher ein Hörbuch gehört.
While tidying up, I listened to an audiobook at the same time.
Sentence position
'Nebenher' can stand at the beginning of a sentence and then triggers inversion (verb in position 2). It can also be placed flexibly within the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nebenher verdient er sich mit Fotografie etwas Geld.
On the side, he earns some money with photography.
Context clue
The exact meaning depends on the context. If it is about work or study, it means 'als Nebenjob' (as a side job). If it is about everyday actions, it means 'beiläufig zur gleichen Zeit' (casually at the same time).
EXAMPLE
Er ist Student und jobbt nebenher in einem Café.
He is a student and works part-time in a café on the side.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'als Nebenbeschäftigung' (as a secondary activity), 'nebenher' is often combined with verbs such as 'arbeiten' (to work), 'jobben' (to work a casual job), 'studieren' (to study), or 'Geld verdienen' (to earn money).
EXAMPLE
Viele Künstler müssen nebenher arbeiten, um leben zu können.
Many artists have to work on the side in order to make a living.
Compare with
nebenher vs daneben
next to it / off / additionally
daneben refers to an additional activity or quality without particularly emphasizing its role as a secondary activity. nebenher, on the other hand, emphasizes that something happens in addition to a main activity and more as a sideline. Use daneben for a neutral addition and nebenher for a parallel secondary activity.
nebenher
Sie arbeitet im Büro und lernt nebenher Deutsch.
She works in an office and studies German on the side.
daneben
Sie arbeitet im Büro und lernt daneben Deutsch.
She works in an office and also studies German.
In real life
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