während (Präposition)

During (Während)

Level 3

Use während to describe something happening within a specific time frame. In formal German, it uses the genitive case (e.g., während des Tages).

How It Works

The preposition während is used to indicate that an action occurs simultaneously with another event or within a specific duration.

1. Case Usage:
In standard and formal German, während governs the genitive case. Masculine and neuter nouns require the ending -s or -es:

  • -es is mandatory for nouns ending in sibilants (-s, -ss, -ß, -z, -tz, -x) and is common with one-syllable nouns (e.g., während des Tages, but während des Films is fine too).
  • -s is used for most multi-syllable nouns (e.g., während des Urlaubs).
  • Feminine and plural nouns take the article der with no noun ending (e.g., während der Nacht).

2. The Dative Exception:
In spoken German, the dative case is very common (e.g., während dem Essen). Furthermore, the dative is required in formal writing if a plural noun has no article or adjective to show the genitive case (e.g., während Monaten).

3. Preposition vs. Conjunction:
Do not confuse the preposition während (followed by a noun) with the subordinating conjunction während (followed by a full clause with the verb at the end).

4. Comparison with 'bei':
While bei is often used for activities (beim Kochen), während is preferred for defined periods of time or events (während der Konferenz).

Examples (5)

  1. Während des Films hat er geschlafen.

    He slept during the film.

    Word by Word: During the film has he slept.

    Here, 'während' uses the genitive masculine article 'des' and adds '-s' to 'Film'.

  2. Während der Prüfung war es sehr leise.

    It was very quiet during the exam.

    Word by Word: During the exam was it very quiet.

    The feminine noun 'Prüfung' uses the genitive article 'der'.

  3. Er hat während des Gewitters Angst.

    He is afraid during the thunderstorm.

    Word by Word: He has during the thunderstorm fear.

    A standard formal usage with the genitive case.

  4. Während dem Essen darf man nicht lesen.

    One is not allowed to read during the meal.

    Word by Word: During the meal may one not read.

    This shows the colloquial use of the dative case ('dem Essen') instead of the genitive ('des Essens').

  5. Sie hat während Jahren in Berlin gewohnt.

    She lived in Berlin for (during) years.

    Word by Word: She has during years in Berlin lived.

    In this plural construction without an article, the dative 'Jahren' is used to make the case clear.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the genitive noun ending -(e)s.

    während des Tag
    während des Tages

    Masculine and neuter nouns must take the -(e)s ending when used with a genitive preposition.

  • Confusing the preposition with the conjunction.

    während des Films läuft...
    während der Film läuft...

    If you use a verb (läuft), you need the conjunction 'während' and the nominative case, not the prepositional genitive phrase.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

während (Präposition)Level 3During (Während)

Learn This First

To use 'während' as a preposition, you must understand how the genitive case functions in German. This includes knowing which articles to use for each gender in the genitive case and applying the necessary -s or -es endings to masculine and neuter nouns.

Words in This Pattern