entretanto

Meanwhile/However

Level 5

Entretanto is a versatile connector that links two ideas. In Portugal, it usually means meanwhile (time). In Brazil, it usually means however (contrast).

How It Works

The word entretanto is a compound of entre (between) and tanto (so much). Understanding its two faces is key to becoming proficient in Portuguese:

1. The Temporal Sense ('Meanwhile')
This is the primary use in European Portuguese (EP). It functions as an adverb to describe what happens during an interval. In Brazil, speakers often prefer the phrase enquanto isso for this meaning, though entretanto is still understood.

2. The Adversative Sense ('However')
This is the dominant use in Brazilian Portuguese (BP). It acts as a coordinating conjunction, similar to mas or no entanto. In Portugal, this usage is more common in writing and literature than in daily speech.

3. Syntax and Mobility
Unlike mas, which is fixed at the beginning of a clause, entretanto is highly mobile:

  • Initial: Entretanto, nada mudou. (However, nothing changed.)
  • Medial: O resultado, entretanto, foi negativo. (The result, however, was negative.)
  • Final: It can even appear at the end of a sentence in formal writing: Não o vimos, entretanto.

4. Noun Use

  • Singular: It can be used as a masculine noun (o entretanto) to mean 'the interim' or 'the meantime'.
  • Plural: The plural form entretantos is used idiomatically to refer to 'details' or 'minor points'. The expression deixe de entretantos means 'get to the point' or 'stop with the trivialities'.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu vou ao supermercado; entretanto, podes arrumar a cozinha.

    I'm going to the supermarket; meanwhile, you can tidy the kitchen.

    Word by Word: I go to the supermarket; meanwhile, you can tidy the kitchen.

    This uses the temporal sense (meanwhile), which is very common in European Portuguese.

  2. O projeto era ambicioso; entretanto, faltavam recursos financeiros.

    The project was ambitious; however, financial resources were lacking.

    Word by Word: The project was ambitious; however, lacked resources financial.

    This uses the adversative sense (however), typical of standard Brazilian Portuguese or formal European Portuguese.

  3. Nesse entretanto, os convidados começaram a chegar.

    In that meantime, the guests began to arrive.

    Word by Word: In that meantime, the guests began to arrive.

    Here, 'entretanto' functions as a noun meaning 'the interval' or 'meantime'.

  4. Eles estudaram muito. Entretanto, não passaram na prova.

    They studied a lot. However, they didn't pass the test.

    Word by Word: They studied much. However, not passed in the test.

    A classic example of 'entretanto' used as a conjunction to show contrast at the start of a sentence.

  5. A chuva parou; entretanto, o céu continuava escuro.

    The rain stopped; however, the sky remained dark.

    Word by Word: The rain stopped; however, the sky continued dark.

    Another example of contrast, showing how it bridges two independent clauses.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'no entretanto' as a conjunction meaning 'however'.

    Ele estudou muito, no entretanto não passou.
    Ele estudou muito; no entanto, não passou.

    Learners often confuse 'no entanto' (however) with 'entretanto'. While 'no entretanto' exists as a noun phrase meaning 'in the meantime', it cannot be used as a conjunction to show contrast. Use 'no entanto' or simply 'entretanto' instead.

  • Confusing 'entretanto' with 'entre tanto' (two words).

    Entre tanto, eu esperei por você.
    Entretanto, eu esperei por você.

    'Entre tanto' (two words) means 'among so much/many'. The connector 'meanwhile/however' is always one word: 'entretanto'.

  • Forgetting commas when using it as a conjunction.

    Ele chegou entretanto não avisou ninguém.
    Ele chegou; entretanto, não avisou ninguém.

    When used to mean 'however', it usually requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it (or two commas if placed mid-clause).

How It Connects

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

entretantoLevel 5Meanwhile/However

Learn This First

To understand 'entretanto', a learner needs to be familiar with basic sentence connectors and the concept of expressing contrast or simultaneous events. Since its meaning varies between 'however' and 'meanwhile' depending on the dialect, having a grasp of both contrastive conjunctions (like 'mas') and temporal markers (like 'enquanto') is essential.

Words in This Pattern

entretantoentretanto