Como decir mientras, por mientras o mientras tanto en Inglés

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June 25, 2026Conversation / Speaking

SECCION: Conversation / Speaking Activity – Clases de conversación #57 – Como decir “ESPERO” en inglés

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Hoy tenemos una nueva publicación en nuestra sección y curso de Speaking o conversación en inglés. Vamos a aprender como expreser que algo o alguien hace falta en inglés.   UNASE a nuestra comunidad en WHATSAPP y mande sus preguntas. Siga este enlace https://chat.whatsapp.com/I81V7uakMSk2bCmdD2qibE?mode=ems_copy_t   .Tambien siga la clase con el audio que incluye una conversación al final para solventar lo aprendido. Esto le permitirá ser un poco mas natural cuando se expresa en inglés  Para poder ver todas nuestras lecciones hasta la fecha en esta sección pueden ir a  ESTE VINCULO.

Esta clase escrita viene acompañada de un audio que pueden encontrar al comienzo de esta publicación. Tampoco olviden de seguir redes sociales en Facebook y Twitter para más información de nuestros cursos gratis y sigan. Nuestros audios están en SPOTIFY (enlace aquí) y los que quieran compararme un café o donar para que esta pagina siga adelante pueden hacerlo usando este vinculo.

Introducción

Imagina que estás hablando inglés y quieres decir algo tan simple como: “Voy a pedir un café, por mientras espérame aquí” o “Ella cocina mientras yo limpio”. En ese momento tu cerebro se frena en seco. ¿Cómo se dice ese bendito “por mientras” o “mientras tanto”?

Si lo primero que se te viene a la mente es traducir todo con “while”, te tengo una noticia: los nativos usan palabras mucho más naturales como meanwhile o in the meantime que probablemente no te enseñaron en la escuela. Confundirlas es el error número uno de los estudiantes de inglés, y se nota muchísimo. En esta guía rápida y sin rodeos te voy a enseñar cómo rescatar tus conversaciones usando estas palabras clave en tu día a día, para que dejes de traducir en tu mente y empieces a sonar fluido de verdad.

Meanwhile, In the Meantime, While, & During: The No-Nonsense Guide

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to use meanwhile or in the meantime, you aren’t alone. Most grammar books explain these words with dry, robotic formulas that don’t match how people actually speak.

In real life, choosing the right word isn’t just about grammar rules—it’s about the message you want to emphasize. Let’s break down how native speakers actually use these time expressions so you can use them naturally.

1. While vs. During (The Biggest Trap)

This is where most English learners trip up. Both words show that two things are happening at once, but they sit in entirely different sentence structures.

While (Action + Action)

Use while when you are connecting two full actions. This means you need a subject and a verb right after it.

  • “I checked Instagram while I was waiting for the bus.”
  • “While she was driving, she was listening to a podcast.”
  • “The lights went out while we were eating dinner.”

During (Time Period or Event)

Use during when you are talking about a specific event or a block of time. You only follow it with a noun phrase, never a full action.

  • “My phone died during the movie.”
  • “During lunch, we talked about our upcoming vacation.”
  • “Nobody said a word during the presentation.”

The Quick Fix:
❌ “During I was studying, my phone rang.” (Incorrect)
✅ “While I was studying, my phone rang.” (Correct)
❌ “While the meeting, my phone rang.” (Incorrect)
✅ “During the meeting, my phone rang.” (Correct)

 

*** During es seguido por un sustantivo ofrase de sustantivo. No se le sigue un SUJETO + VERBO como WHILE

2. Meanwhile vs. In the Meantime

These two look almost identical, and in casual conversations, people occasionally swap them. However, they carry a slightly different vibe.

Meanwhile (Focus on Simultaneous Action)

Think of meanwhile as a dramatic shift in focus. Scene A is happening here, but at the exact same time, Scene B is happening over there. It almost always starts a brand-new sentence.

  • “Sarah is studying for her final exams. Meanwhile, her brother is playing video games upstairs.”
  • “The baby is finally sleeping. Meanwhile, let’s try to clean the kitchen.”
  • “Tom is driving around looking for parking. Meanwhile, we’re already waiting inside the restaurant.”

In the Meantime (Focus on the Waiting Period)

Use in the meantime when you are waiting for something to happen, and you need to fill that empty space with a temporary action. Think of it as: “Until that happens, I will do this.”

  • “My pizza will be ready in 20 minutes. In the meantime, I’ll reply to a few emails.”
  • “The doctor will see you shortly. In the meantime, please have a seat.”
  • “My new laptop doesn’t arrive until next week. In the meantime, I’m stuck using my old one.”

*** Meanwhile tiene el mismo uso comunicativo que WHILE pero con diferente regla. Requiere antes acabar la primera idea con un punto y de ahi se inserta Meanwhile seguido por una coma. Por otro lado IN THE MEANTME se usa para enfocarse en un tiempo de espera y se traduce mas como POR MIENTRAS.

3. Natural Conversational Alternatives

If you want to sound less like a textbook and more like a local, try weaving these everyday alternatives into your conversations.

As (The Casual “While”)

In everyday storytelling, native speakers often swap while for as. It sounds incredibly natural and keeps the story moving quickly.

  • “As I was leaving the house, I realized I forgot my keys.”
  • “The sky completely opened up as we were driving home.”

At the Same Time (The Easy Default)

When you don’t want to think about complex grammar structures, just use this phrase at the end of your thought or to connect two sentences.

  • “He was trying to text and walk at the same time.”
  • “I was trying to study. At the same time, my roommate was blasting Netflix.”

Until Then / For Now (The Casual “Meantime”)

Instead of the slightly formal in the meantime, casually throw in until then or for now when talking about waiting periods.

  • “My vacation starts next month. Until then, I’ll just keep grinding.”
  • “We don’t have the final data yet, so for now, let’s just wait.”

“While you’re at it…”

This is a highly common native idiom. It means: “Since you are already doing that action, please do this extra thing for me too.”

  • “Are you going to the kitchen? While you’re at it, could you grab me a glass of water?”

Cheatsheet: Which Word Do You Need?

Word / Phrase What it actually means Quick Example
While Two actions happening together I cooked while he cleaned.
During Inside a specific event or noun I fell asleep during the movie.
Meanwhile A separate action happening right now I’m working. Meanwhile, they are partying.
In the meantime An action you do while waiting Dinner is baking. In the meantime, let’s chat.
—- —- —-

Bringing It All Together

To see how these phrases dance together in real life, read through this casual, everyday conversation between two friends:

A: “Hey, the laundry will be spinning for another forty minutes.”

B: “Cool. In the meantime, we might as well put on a movie.”

A: “Sounds like a plan. I’ll pop some popcorn while you browse Netflix.”

B: “Perfect. Meanwhile, I’ll text Sarah to see if she wants to head over.”

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