/ˈmjentɾas/
meanwhile
Related: mientras tanto
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. Akin to Italian mentre.
while, whilst, as (at the same time as); as long as, so long as (expressing a condition); however much, however many, “the..., the...” (constructing parallel comparatives); while, whereas (indicating difference)
“Quédate aquí con los chicos mientras hablo con la gerente.” — Stay here with the kids while I talk with the manager.
Synonyms: en cuanto, con tal que, cuanto más... más, entre más... más
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. Akin to Italian mentre.