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"Meanwhile" is an adverb which is often translated as "mientras tanto", and "meantime" is a noun which is often translated as "el ínterin". Learn more about the difference between "meanwhile" and "meantime" below.
meanwhile(
min
-
wayl
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. mientras tanto
Alicia said she's on her way. Meanwhile, we can wrap her birthday present.Alicia dijo que viene en camino. Mientras tanto, podemos envolver su regalo de cumpleaños.
b. entretanto
Roger is still getting ready to leave. Meanwhile, let's watch TV.Roger se está preparando para salir. Entretanto, vamos a ver la tele.
a. mientras tanto
It's snowing in Siberia. Meanwhile, in Brazil it's really hot.Está nevando en Siberia. Mientras tanto, en Brasil hace mucho calor.
meantime(
min
-
taym
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (interval)
a. el ínterin (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Bake the eggplants for half an hour. In the meantime, peel and chop the onion.Cocine las berenjenas en el horno por media hora. En el ínterin, pele y pique la cebolla.
b. el interín (M) (Caribbean) (South America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
Mary went to the grocery store, and in the meantime her sister stayed home to clean the house.Mary se fue al supermercado, y en el interín su hermana se quedó en casa para hacer el aseo.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
2. (meanwhile)
a. mientras tanto
The software will be ready for download in a minute. Meantime, the web app is functioning now.El software estará listo para su descarga en un minuto. Mientras tanto, la aplicación web ya está en funcionamiento.
b. entretanto
Patricia is making dinner. Meantime, I'll bake a cake for dessert.Patricia está preparando la cena. Entretanto, haré un pastel para el postre.
