intanto

Intanto is an Italian adverb that can be translated into English as "meanwhile" or "in the meantime."

Meaning and Usage

1. Meanwhile / In the meantime
   It is used to indicate something that happens simultaneously or during the time while something else is happening.
   Example:
   Io preparo la cena, intanto tu puoi apparecchiare la tavola.
   (I prepare dinner, meanwhile you can set the table.)

2. For now / At the moment
   It can also mean for the time being or for now, indicating a current state before further actions.
   Example:
   Intanto resta qui, poi vediamo cosa fare.
   (For now, stay here, then we'll see what to do.)

Parts of the Word

• "in" typically means "in" or "on"
• "tanto" means "so much" or "a lot" Together "intanto" conveys the idea of "during that much (time)," relating to the interval between two moments.

Synonyms

• nel frattempo (meanwhile, in the meantime)
• per il momento (for the moment)
• temporaneamente (temporarily)

Antonyms

Since intanto indicates a duration or overlapping event, direct antonyms depend on context:

• dopo (after) – for sequence rather than overlap.
• poi (then, later)

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In summary, intanto is mainly used to denote an action occurring at the same time as another, or to indicate a temporary state before a subsequent event.