-(e)n bitartean

While

Level 3

Put -(e)n on the verb and bitartean after it to say while: Zu lanean zauden bitartean (while you are at work).

How It Works

Forms. Add -(e)n to the auxiliary or synthetic verb, as in a relative clause: zaude → zauden, nago → nagoen, du → duen, dut → dudan; past forms already end in -n: zeunden, zen. Then add bitartean.

Lasting situations. The clause usually describes a state or an ongoing action: with egon (lanean dagoen bitartean), with -tzen (afaria prestatzen dudan bitartean), or with ari (hitz egiten ari zaren bitartean).

With the participle. Without an auxiliary: bazkaldu bitartean (while having lunch), itxaron bitartean (while waiting).

bitartean alone. As an adverb it means meanwhile: Ni dendara noa. Bitartean, zuk mahaia jarri (I am going to the shop. Meanwhile, you set the table).

Contrast. Some speakers use -(e)n bitartean like English whereas: Jon ona den bitartean, anaia bihurria da. Careful Basque prefers aldiz or berriz for contrast: Jon ona da; anaia, aldiz, bihurria.

Nearby forms. For one moment rather than a stretch of time, use -tzean or -(e)nean. Written Basque also has -(e)larik.

Examples (6)

  1. Zu lanean zauden bitartean, nik afaria prestatuko dut.

    While you are at work, I will make dinner.

    zauden is zaude + -(e)n.

  2. Lo zeunden bitartean, lapurrak etxean sartu ziren.

    While you were asleep, thieves got into the house.

    The break-in happened at one point during your sleep.

  3. Afaria prestatzen dudan bitartean, musika entzuten dut.

    While I make dinner, I listen to music.

  4. Umeak parkean jolasten ziren bitartean, gurasoak hizketan ari ziren.

    While the children played in the park, the parents were chatting.

  5. Itxaron bitartean, kafe bat hartuko dugu.

    While we wait, we will have a coffee.

    The participle form needs no auxiliary.

  6. Ni dendara noa. Bitartean, zuk mahaia jarri.

    I am going to the shop. Meanwhile, you set the table.

    On its own, bitartean means meanwhile.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting -(e)n on the verb.

    Zu lanean zaude bitartean, nik afaria prestatuko dut.
    Zu lanean zauden bitartean, nik afaria prestatuko dut.

    bitartean follows a verb in -(e)n, like a relative clause: zaude becomes zauden.

  • Putting bitartean first, like English while.

    Bitartean zu lanean zauden, nik afaria prestatuko dut.
    Zu lanean zauden bitartean, nik afaria prestatuko dut.

    In Basque the clause comes first and bitartean closes it. At the start of a sentence, bitartean means meanwhile.

How It Connects

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-(e)n bitarteanLevel 3While

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While follows when.

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bitarteanbitartean