entretanto

es
en
Change language
Translating...
meanwhile, in the meantime, meantime, interval
Find language
Deutsch
German
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Italiano
Italian
Português
Portuguese
/entɾeˈtanto/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
During the time before something expected happens.
Practice using entretanto in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Pasaron tres meses y, en el entretanto, cerró la tienda.
    Three months passed and, in the meantime, the shop closed.
  • Entretanto, la situación seguía empeorando.
    Meanwhile, the situation kept getting worse.
  • El acuerdo tardó; en el entretanto, aumentaron los costes.
    The agreement was delayed; in the meantime, costs rose.
  • En el entretanto, encontraron otra solución.
    In the meantime, they found another solution.
  • En el entretanto, los niños aprendieron a nadar.
    In the meantime, the children learned to swim.

Similar words

intervalo
mientras tanto
intermedio
entre tanto
en tanto
ínterin

Meanings

Meanwhile

adverb
time
neutral
While another event is taking place or being awaited.

Examples

  • El informe estará listo mañana; entretanto, revisa los datos.
    The report will be ready tomorrow; meanwhile, review the data.
  • Ella cocina y yo, entretanto, preparo la mesa.
    She cooks and I, in the meantime, set the table.
  • Entretanto, la situación seguía empeorando.
    Meanwhile, the situation kept getting worse.
  • Esperamos una respuesta; entretanto, no cambiaremos el plan.
    We await a reply; in the meantime, we will not change the plan.
  • El tren llegó tarde y, entretanto, empezó a llover.
    The train was late and, meanwhile, it began to rain.

Similar words

mientras tanto
en tanto
entre tanto

Intervening period

noun
interval
formal
The stretch of time before the expected event.

Examples

  • En el entretanto, encontraron otra solución.
    In the meantime, they found another solution.
  • Pasaron tres meses y, en el entretanto, cerró la tienda.
    Three months passed and, in the meantime, the shop closed.
  • En el entretanto, los niños aprendieron a nadar.
    In the meantime, the children learned to swim.
  • El acuerdo tardó; en el entretanto, aumentaron los costes.
    The agreement was delayed; in the meantime, costs rose.
  • En el entretanto, mantuvieron abiertas las oficinas.
    In the meantime, they kept the offices open.

Similar words

ínterin
intervalo
intermedio

Etymology

A compound of entre, “between”, and tanto, “so much”; also written entre tanto as an adverb.

FAQ

What does entretanto mean?

As an adverb, “meanwhile”; as a noun, the intervening time.

Can it begin a sentence?

Yes, often followed by a comma.

Can it be a noun?

Yes, in en el entretanto.

Is entre tanto another spelling?

Yes, for the adverbial use.

Does it mean after the event?

No. It refers to the time before or during it.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...