Mi esposa trabajaba en El Cairo mientras vivía (por) 2 años hace 5 años.

Polyglot1day:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years whilst she lived 5 years ago.

I'm a little uncertain whether or not you wanted comments directed at your English sentence. If I'm being presumptuous, I apologize.

Your English sentence is at least awkward and at worst, misleading. There is a risk that it could be interpreted to mean that while your wife was alive, 5 years ago, she worked for 2 years in Cairo. There is a hint that she is now dead.

I suspect that what you truly wanted to say is:

Five years ago, while my wife lived in Cairo, she also worked there for 2 of those years.

There is no mistaking the meaning of this suggested sentence.

On the other hand, if you want to stay closer to what you have already written, consider this suggestion:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years where she lived 5 years ago.

It's the word "whilst" that seems to cause me the interpretation problem. I understand "whilst" to mean "while"

It's just a thought. I hope I have not stepped "out-of-bounds" with this reply.

Regards/Recuerdos,

Moe

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years whilst she lived 5 years ago.

I noticed the error in the English translation as well. I believe it should read something like this:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years **while **she lived **there **5 years ago.

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years whilst she lived 5 years ago.

I noticed the error in the English translation as well. I believe it should read something like this:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years **while **she lived **there **5 years ago.
You could even retain the "whilst" (though it's a bit old fashioned). Adding the "there" makes all the difference.

I noticed the error in the English translation as well. I believe it should read something like this:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years **while **she lived **there **5 years ago.

You could even retain the "whilst" (though it's a bit old fashioned). Adding the "there" makes all the difference.

Yes, I was wondering how long it would take for somebody to catch that. I guess things are slow on the weekend around here.

And yes, "whilst" is archaic.

That sentence sounds a little confusing to me frist time reading it.

I noticed the error in the English translation as well. I believe it should read something like this:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years **while **she lived **there **5 years ago.

You could even retain the "whilst" (though it's a bit old fashioned). Adding the "there" makes all the difference.

Yes, I was wondering how long it would take for somebody to catch that. I guess things are slow on the weekend around here.

And yes, "whilst" is archaic.

Well I give my spanish traslation to this sentence:
My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years while she lived there 5 years ago.
Mi esposa trabajo en el Cairo durante 2 años de los 5 años que vivió allí.

Well, I'll give my Spanish translation to this sentence:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years while she lived there 5 years ago.

Mi esposa trabajó en el Cairo durante 2 años de los 5 años que vivió allí.

Sonia, creo que la traducción tuya es la más clara hasta ahora.

Well, I'll give my Spanish translation to this sentence:

My wife worked in Cairo for 2 years while she lived there 5 years ago.

Mi esposa trabajó en el Cairo durante 2 años de los 5 años que vivió allí.

Sonia, creo que la traducción tuya es la más clara hasta ahora.

Thanks hhmdirocco for your comment, and for your correction.
Regards!!!