während
while
As a conjunction connecting two actions or events that take place at the same time.
EXAMPLE
Während er kochte, hörte er Musik.
While he was cooking, he listened to music.
während
during / while
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Meanings
während
during
As a preposition indicating a period of time in which something happens; in the course of.
EXAMPLE
Während des gesamten Films hat niemand gesprochen.
No one spoke during the entire film.
während
whereas
As a conjunction expressing a contrast or contradiction; whereas.
EXAMPLE
Anna ist sehr gesprächig, während ihre Schwester eher schüchtern ist.
Anna is very talkative, whereas her sister is rather shy.
Usage tips
Preposition or conjunction
'Während' (during/while) can be a preposition that comes before a noun, or a conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause. As a conjunction, 'während' sends the verb to the end of the clause.
EXAMPLE
Während des Konzerts hat es geregnet.
It rained during the concert.
Preposition with genitive
As a preposition, 'während' (during) takes the genitive in standard German. In colloquial speech, however, the dative is used very frequently; you often hear it, but you should avoid it in formal texts.
EXAMPLE
Während seiner Rede schliefen einige Zuhörer ein.
During his speech, some listeners fell asleep.
Context clue
As a conjunction, 'während' (while/whereas) can express simultaneity or a contrast. Which meaning is intended can only be understood from the content of the two parts of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Während sie die Zeitung liest, trinkt er Kaffee.
While she reads the newspaper, he drinks coffee.
Compare with
während vs wenn
if / when
Both words can connect two actions in time. „Wenn“ frames a point in time or a repeated situation, while „während“ emphasizes simultaneous duration and parallel progress. Use „wenn“ when one action provides the occasion, and „während“ when both processes take place in parallel.
während
Während ich nach Hause gehe, telefoniert mein Bruder mit mir.
While I'm walking home, my brother talks to me on the phone.
wenn
Wenn ich nach Hause komme, klingelt mein Bruder oft an der Tür.
When I get home, my brother often rings the doorbell.
In real life
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