mientras

mientras(

myehn

trahs

)

A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).

conjunction

1. (at the same time)

a. while

Lavó los platos mientras yo dormía la siesta.He did the dishes while I took a nap.

2. (during the time that)

a. as long as (followed by verb in subjunctive)

Mientras trabaje aquí, nunca podré tomarme unas vacaciones en condiciones.As long as I work here, I'll never manage to take a proper vacation.

3. (if)

a. as long as (followed by verb in subjunctive)

Mientras termines los deberes a tiempo, me da igual que escuches música o no.As long as you finish your homework on time, I don't mind if you listen to music.

4. (in contrast with; used with "que")

a. whereas

Mientras que a mi hermana le encanta leer, a su esposo le encanta trabajar en el jardín.Whereas my sister loves to read, her husband loves to garden.

b. while

Yo soy vegetariana, mientras que a mi marido le encanta la carne.I'm vegetarian, while my husband loves meat.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

5. (at the same time)

a. meanwhile

Tu hermana va a recoger su cuarto. Mientras, tú puedes quitar el polvo del salón.Your sister is going to clean up her room. Meanwhile, you can dust the living room.

b. in the meantime

Saca al perro; mientras, puedo trapear el piso de la cocina.Take the dog out. I can mop the kitchen floor in the meantime.

Examples

Phrases

mientras tanto	meanwhile
mientras que	whereas
hablo mientras como	I speak and eat at the same time
un rato mientras espero a la peluquera	for a while while I wait for the hairdresser
te estoy siguiendo mientras bailamos el tango	I'm following you as we dance tango
mientras estábamos allí	while we were there
la discusión comenzó mientras el profesor daba una clase sobre deportes	the argument started while the teacher was teaching a class on sports
mientras yo	while I
mientras por competir con tu cabello	now while to match your hair
mientras conduces, debes poner las dos manos en el volante	you have to put both hands on the steering wheel while you're driving
te sugiero que pongas música mientras lavas los platos	I suggest you listen to music while you wash the dishes
mientras se cocinan las patatas, batir los huevos	while the potatoes are cooking, whisk the eggs
mientras hablas por teléfono celular, no es buena idea	when you're on the phone, it's not a good idea to
no habrá verdadera paz mientras que haya injusticia social	There will be no real peace as long as there is social injustice
por mientras	meanwhile
yo leo mientras como	I read while I eat
yo conducía el auto mientras	I was driving the car while