Während
B1 · Intermediate · Advanced Structures
The rule
Conjunction: while; also genitive preposition.
How it works
Während (while) introduces a subordinate clause for two events that happen at the same time, and the verb goes to the end. It can also be a genitive preposition meaning "during": während des Sommers. In everyday speech, während with the dative is also used, but the genitive is the standard in formal writing.
When to use it
Use während (while) to connect two simultaneous actions, or as a genitive preposition for a period of time.
Use cases
- Describing simultaneous actions: Während ich koche, hört er Musik
- Describing a period of time: Während der Ferien arbeite ich
- Making a contrast between two things happening at the same time: Während er schläft, arbeitet sie
Examples
- Während ich koche, hört er Musik – While I cook he listens to music
- Während wir warten, lesen wir die Zeitung. – While we wait, we read the newspaper.
- Während des Urlaubs haben wir viele Städte besucht. – During the holiday we visited many cities.
- Während sie arbeitet, spielen die Kinder. – While she works, the children play.
Common mistake
Treating während as a simple "during": with a clause the verb goes to the end; with a noun phrase it takes the genitive, as in "während des Krieges".
Memory tip
Während + clause: verb at the end. Während + noun: genitive.
Read the wider picture in our guide: German Verbs and Word Order: Tenses, Modals and Sentence Structure.