derweil
Translation
meanwhile, in the meantime
Examples
Derweil können wir einen Kaffee trinken.
Meanwhile, we can have a coffee.
Er las ein Buch, derweil sie kochte.
He read a book while she was cooking.
Grammar Patterns
[Adverb] meanwhile Derweil können wir einen Kaffee trinken.
Similar Words
Synonyms: inzwischen, währenddessen, unterdessen
Etymology
Derived from 'der Weile', an old genitive construction meaning 'of the while'. 'Weile' is 'a while' or 'period of time'.
Memory Tips
Imagine saying 'during the while' to mean 'meanwhile'. 'derweil' captures that idea.