while

rato, momento

Un período corto de tiempo.

En inglés sencillo: A short period of time.

• Please wait a while.
• We rested for a little while before walking again.
• After a while, the rain stopped.

Sinónimos: moment, short time

Expresiones frecuentes: a little while, a short while, after a while, wait a while

tiempo, rato

Un período de tiempo cuya duración no se indica con exactitud.

En inglés sencillo: A period of time whose length is not stated exactly.

• We stayed there for a while.
• It took quite a while to fix the engine.
• I haven't seen her for a long while.

Sinónimos: period, time, spell

Expresiones frecuentes: a long while, quite a while, for a while, a good while

mientras

Indica que algo ocurre durante el tiempo en que sucede otra cosa.

En inglés sencillo: During the time that something else happens.

• I listened while she spoke.
• Can you watch the children while I cook?
• He called while we were having dinner.

Cómo se usa: while + clause (I read while my sister cooked.)

Sinónimos: as

Expresiones frecuentes: while someone sleeps, while someone waits, while someone works

aunque, si bien

Introduce un hecho que se reconoce antes de mencionar algo que lo limita o contrasta con él.

En inglés sencillo: Used to admit one fact before saying something that limits or contrasts with it.

• While it's expensive, it's very useful.
• The room, while small, has plenty of light.
• While I liked the story, I found the ending weak.

Cómo se usa: while + clause, clause (While I understand your reasons, I disagree.); while + adjective (The plan, while simple, will cost too much.)

Sinónimos: although, though, even though

Expresiones frecuentes: while I agree, while it is, while admitting something

mientras, durante

Indica que algo sucede durante una actividad que se realiza al mismo tiempo.

En inglés sencillo: During an activity that is happening at the same time.

• Don't text while driving.
• She fell asleep while watching a film.
• I met him while working in a cafe.

Cómo se usa: while + -ing (She hurt her ankle while running.)

Sinónimos: during

Expresiones frecuentes: while doing something, while waiting, while driving, while eating

pasar el tiempo, entretenerse

Pasar el tiempo agradablemente haciendo algo que requiere poco esfuerzo.

En inglés sencillo: To spend time pleasantly doing something that does not require much effort.

• We whiled away the evening talking.
• She likes to while away Sundays in the garden.
• They whiled away the hours with a board game.

Cómo se usa: while away something + -ing (We whiled away the afternoon playing cards.)

Sinónimos: pass, spend

Expresiones frecuentes: while away time, while away hours, while away afternoons