mientras

while; whereas

conjunction MYEN-trahs Common

Also means

as long as

Usage Note

Mientras can express simultaneous actions ('while doing X, Y happens') or contrast ('whereas X, Y'). When followed by que, the meaning shifts slightly toward emphatic contrast: yo trabajo, mientras que tú duermes 'I work, whereas you sleep'. The expression mientras tanto 'meanwhile' is very common in narration. It can also express condition: mientras haya vida, habrá esperanza 'as long as there is life, there is hope'.

Examples

"Escucho música mientras cocino."

Natural Translation

I listen to music while I cook.

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