Translation of while into French
Conjunction
1.
simultaneity
at the same time that something else happens- She read a book while he cooked dinner.Elle lisait un livre pendant qu'il préparait le dîner.
2.
duration
- Stay here while I get the car.Reste ici pendant que je vais chercher la voiture.
3.
contrast
although something is true- While it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.Bien qu' il pleuvait, ils ont décidé de se promener.
Noun
1.
time
period of time of uncertain length- We waited for a while before the bus arrived.Nous avons attendu un moment avant que le bus n'arrive.
2.
Expressions with while: examples in English and translations in French
passer le temps
We while away the afternoon by playing cards.
il y a quelque temps
il y a un moment
I met him a while back at the conference.
dans peu de temps
bientôt
The meeting will start in a little while.
c'était bien tant que ça a duré
The concert was amazing, it was nice while it lasted.
tant qu'on y est
While we're about it, your last email was unclear.
tant que tu y es
pendant que vous y êtes
Could you mail this letter, and while you're at it, buy stamps?
partir tant que c'est encore bon
quitter tant que ça va bien
She decided to leave while the going's good to avoid future troubles.
il faut battre le fer pendant qu'il est chaud
You should make hay while the sun shines and apply for the job now.
s'arrêter à temps
s'arrêter sur une bonne note
You should quit while ahead before you start losing money.
s'arrêter au bon moment
After three successful rounds, he chose to quit while he was ahead.
s'arrêter avant que la chance tourne
He decided to quit while you're ahead and left the casino.
arrêter avant de perdre l'avantage
He decided to stop while ahead in the game.
battre le fer pendant qu'il est chaud
Strike while the iron is hot and apply for the job now.
tant qu'on y est
While he is at it, Mark should also back up the old files.
tant que ça marche
Sell the old car while the going is good.
tant qu'on est jeunes
Let's go dancing while we're young and still have energy!
valoir la peine
Helping her was worth her while.
partir tant qu'il en est encore temps
s'en aller avant que ça se complique
You should get out while the getting is good.
partir tant que tout va bien
You should get out while the going's good.
très rarement
une fois de temps en temps
I only see him once in a great while.
s'arrêter à temps
He decided to quit while you're winning at the poker table.
profiter de l'occasion
You should strike while the iron is still hot and apply now.
passer le temps
We while away the hours playing cards by the fire.
construire l'avion en le pilotant
They had to build the plane while flying it during the startup phase.
Synonyms and analogies of while in English
Examples of while in a sentence
She laughed while watching the comedy show. Wait here while I finish my meeting. Hold this for me while I pack. While he is talented, he lacks experience. While the sun was shining, it was still cold. It took a while to finish the task.
She stayed for a while and then left. The project was not worth the while. Studying for the exam proved to be worth my while.