Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'meanwhile'

English Word: meanwhile

Key Russian Translations:

• между тем /mʲɪʐˈdu tʲɛm/ - [Formal, used in written or narrative contexts]
• тем временем /tʲɛm ˈvrʲɛmʲɪnʲɪm/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday spoken language]

Frequency: Medium (This adverbial phrase appears regularly in Russian literature, news, and conversation, but is not among the most basic everyday words.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adverbial phrases and temporal expressions, which can vary in formality.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

между тем: /mʲɪʐˈdu tʲɛm/

Note on между тем: The stress falls on the second syllable of "между" (/mʲɪʐˈdu/), and the "ж" is a soft palatal fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

тем временем: /tʲɛm ˈvrʲɛmʲɪnʲɪm/

Note on тем временем: The "т" in "тем" is soft, and the word "временем" has a stressed "вре" syllable. This phrase is often pronounced fluidly in casual conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Meanwhile refers to something happening at the same time as another event, often used to indicate simultaneity or a temporary interval.

Translation(s) & Context:

• между тем - Used in formal writing or narratives to connect simultaneous events, such as in historical texts or reports.
• тем временем - Applied in informal spoken contexts, like casual conversations, to describe ongoing actions while something else occurs.

Usage Examples:

• Между тем, в другом городе продолжалась подготовка к фестивалю. (Mezhdu tem, v drugom gorode prodolzhalas' podgotovka k festivalyu.)

  Meanwhile, in another city, preparations for the festival were continuing. (This example shows the phrase in a formal narrative context, linking two simultaneous events.)

• Тем временем, пока я готовил ужин, дети играли в саду. (Tem vremenem, poka ya gotovil uzhin, deti igrali v sadu.)

  Meanwhile, while I was preparing dinner, the children were playing in the garden. (This illustrates informal usage in everyday family scenarios, emphasizing parallel actions.)

• Между тем, экономика страны восстанавливается, хотя политические проблемы остаются. (Mezhdu tem, ekonomika strany vosstanavlivaetsya, khotya politicheskie problemy ostayutsya.)

  Meanwhile, the country's economy is recovering, even though political issues persist. (Here, it's used in a formal analytical context to contrast ongoing developments.)

• Тем временем, в то время как дождь лил, мы решили остаться дома. (Tem vremenem, v to vremya kak dozhd' lil, my reshili ostat'sya doma.)

  Meanwhile, while the rain was pouring, we decided to stay home. (This example demonstrates the phrase in a descriptive, everyday spoken situation with conditional elements.)

• Между тем, пока шла встреча, коллеги обсуждали новые идеи. (Mezhdu tem, poka shla vstrecha, kollegi obsuzhali novye idei.)

  Meanwhile, while the meeting was going on, colleagues were discussing new ideas. (This shows the phrase in a professional setting, highlighting multitasking.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "между тем" and "тем временем" are adverbial phrases rather than single inflected words, so they do not undergo typical noun, verb, or adjective inflections. However, the components can vary slightly based on context:

• For "между тем": "Тем" is an instrumental case form of "то" (that), which remains unchanged in this phrase. It is invariant and does not inflect.
• For "тем временем": "Временем" is the instrumental case of "время" (time), but in this fixed phrase, it is used as an unchangeable unit. No inflection is required for the entire phrase.

If used in more complex sentences, related words like "время" (as a noun) would inflect normally. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • при этом (pri etom) - Similar in meaning, used for simultaneous actions, but more neutral and versatile.
  • в это время (v eto vremya) - Emphasizes exact timing, often in descriptive contexts; slightly more literal than "тем временем".
• Antonyms:
  • затем (zatem) - Indicates sequence after an event, contrasting with simultaneity.
  • позже (pozhe) - Means "later," focusing on subsequent timing.

Related Phrases:

• В это время (v eto vremya) - Meaning: At this time; used to indicate a specific moment alongside another event.
• Пока... (poka...) - Meaning: While...; a conjunction for simultaneous actions, often in conditional sentences.
• Между прочим (mezhdu prochim) - Meaning: By the way; related for introducing side notes during a conversation.

Usage Notes:

"Meanwhile" in English corresponds closely to "между тем" in formal Russian contexts and "тем временем" in informal ones. Choose "между тем" for written or professional settings to maintain a sophisticated tone, while "тем временем" is ideal for casual speech. Be mindful of sentence structure: these phrases typically follow the main clause to link parallel events. For example, avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, integrate them naturally to reflect Russian syntax, which often places temporal phrases at the beginning or middle of sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "между тем" in overly casual conversations, making the speech sound stiff or outdated. Correct usage: Opt for "тем временем" in informal settings, e.g., Incorrect: "Между тем, я пошел гулять." (Meanwhile, I went for a walk.) Correct: "Тем временем, я пошел гулять." Explanation: "Тем временем" fits better in everyday talk for natural flow.

• Error: Confusing it with sequential words like "затем," leading to timeline errors. Correct usage: Use "между тем" for simultaneity, not sequence, e.g., Incorrect: "Затем, в другом месте, событие произошло." (Intended as meanwhile, but implies "then"). Correct: "Тем временем, в другом месте, событие произошло." Explanation: This ensures the meaning of concurrency is clear.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "тем временем" often appear in storytelling or literature to weave together multiple plotlines, reflecting the narrative style in Russian classics like those by Tolstoy. This emphasizes a holistic view of time, where simultaneous events are interconnected, which can differ from more linear English storytelling traditions.

Related Concepts:

• одновременно (odnovremenno)
• временной промежуток (vremennoy promezhutok)
• параллельно (parallel'no)