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Temporal preposition 'während' (during, + genitive)

Temporale Präposition 'während' (+ Genitiv)

'während' (during) marks simultaneity and takes the .

Structure

während + Genitiv (gleichzeitig)

während + genitive (simultaneous)

Details

Part of Speech
Preposition
Word Type
Temporal preposition
Register
Standard

Explanation

What it is. während means during and marks that two things happen at the same time (simultaneity).

How it is used. In standard German während takes the genitive: während des Films (during the film), während der Pause (during the break). The changes to the : der → des (m/n, plus -s), die → der (f).

Examples.

  • Ich schlafe während des Films. - I sleep during the film.
  • Während der Pause trinke ich Kaffee. - During the break I drink coffee.

Common mistakes. The standard is the (während des Konzerts); in casual speech you will also hear the (während dem Konzert), but for written and exam German use the . Do not confuse the während with the während (while + clause with at the end).

About Temporal preposition 'während' (during, + genitive)

'während' (during) marks simultaneity and takes the .

Marks two things at the same time; standard 'während' + .

'während' (gleichzeitig) steht mit dem .

Caution

'während' takes the genitive: 'während des Films', 'während der Pause'. (In casual speech you may also hear the dative.)