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Spanish
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Old Spanish mientras (already sparsely attested in the 13th century), mientra, from an older demientre, domientre, which was influenced by the preposition de and adverbial -s (compare antes, entonces, quizás and Old Spanish nunquas), inherited from Late Latin dum interim. 13th-century Old Spanish generally uses demientre or mientra, but the form mientras gained greater currency in the following centuries.
Pronunciation
Adverb
mientras
- meanwhile
Derived terms
Conjunction
mientras
- (with the indicative) while, whilst, as (at the same time as)
- Synonym: en cuanto
Quédate aquí con los chicos mientras hablo con la gerente.- Stay here with the kids while I talk with the manager.
- (with the subjunctive) as long as, so long as (expressing a condition)
- Synonym: con tal que
Mientras llueva, me quedaré en casa.- As long as it rains, I'll stay at home.
- (with comparatives) however much, however many, “the..., the...” (constructing parallel comparatives)
- Synonyms: cuanto más... más, (Latin America) entre más... más
Mientras más lo hago, más me gusta.- The more I do it, the more I like it.
- (with the indicative) while, whereas (indicating difference)
Derived terms
Further reading
Anagrams