indes
meanwhile · while
Es zeigt einen Gegensatz an und bedeutet, dass etwas geschieht, während gleichzeitig etwas anderes passiert.
Definition & meaning
The word indes is a German adverb and conjunction that primarily carries two meanings:
- Temporal (Meanwhile/In the meantime): It describes an action or state that occurs simultaneously with another event mentioned previously. In this context, it indicates that while one thing was happening, something else was also taking place.
- Adversative (However/Yet): It is used to introduce a contrast or a limitation to a previous statement. In this sense, it functions similarly to "however" or "on the other hand" in English.
While "indes" is still used in modern German, it is often perceived as slightly more formal or literary than its common counterparts.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammatically, indes can function as a conjunction or a conjunctive adverb. It is a shortened form of the word indessen.
The word is composed of two parts:
- in: a preposition meaning "in."
- des: the genitive form of the demonstrative pronoun "das" (that).
Historically, it evolved from the Middle High German "in des," which literally meant "in that (time)." Over time, the two parts merged into a single word to signify either the duration of an event or a shift in perspective.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms For the temporal meaning (meanwhile):
For the adversative meaning (however):
Antonyms Because indes is a functional word rather than a descriptive one, direct antonyms depend on the context of time:
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Examples
Indes schaute er sich den Sonnenuntergang an.adverb
Meanwhile, he watched the sunset.
Indes räumte er den Tisch auf.adverb
Meanwhile, he cleared the table.
Indes spielte er fröhlich weiter.adverb
Meanwhile, he continued playing happily.
Indes war er mit der Arbeit beschäftigt.adverb
Meanwhile, he was busy with work.
Indes wartet er auf eine Antwort.adverb
Meanwhile, he waits for an answer.
Menschen arbeiten indes an neuen Lösungen.adverb
People are meanwhile working on new solutions.
Leute arbeiteten hart, indes hofften alle auf bessere Zeiten.conjunction
People worked hard; meanwhile, everyone hoped for better times.
Ich hatte bereits angefangen zu essen, indes kam der Rest der Gruppe erst spät an.conjunction
I had already started eating, while the rest of the group arrived late.
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