die Weile, -n
while
Ein kurzer oder nicht genau bestimmter Zeitraum. Man nutzt dieses Wort oft, wenn man ausdrücken möchte, dass etwas eine gewisse Zeit lang dauert.
The German word "Weile" is a noun meaning a while, a short period of time, or a moment.
- It does not consist of smaller parts here, but is a standalone word.
- Used often in phrases like "eine Weile dauern" (to last a while) or "für eine Weile" (for a while).
Similar words:
- Moment (moment) — typically very short, instantaneous point in time
- Zeit (time) — a more general, broader term
- Augenblick (instant, moment) — usually shorter and more sudden than "Weile"
Difference:
- Weile suggests a somewhat longer but still limited duration, more extended than a quick moment but shorter than indefinite time (Zeit).
- Moment and Augenblick imply very brief instances, while Weile is used for brief periods that allow for some continuity.
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Examples
Wir warten schon eine Weile auf den Bus.noun
We have been waiting for the bus for a while now.
Eine Weile später kam er zurück.noun
A while later, he came back.
Eine Weile später kam sie zurück.noun
A while later she came back.
Für eine kurze Weile blieb alles still.noun
For a short while, everything remained still.
Nach einer Weile gewöhnte er sich an die neue Umgebung.noun
After a while, he got used to the new environment.
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