while

moment, petit moment

Une courte période de temps.

En anglais simple : A short period of time.

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

Synonymes : moment, short time

Expressions courantes : a little while, a short while, after a while, wait a while

temps, moment

Une période dont la durée n’est pas précisée exactement.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : period, time, spell

Expressions courantes : a long while, quite a while, for a while, a good while

pendant que

Indique qu’une chose se produit pendant qu’une autre a lieu.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : while + clause (I read while my sister cooked.)

Synonymes : as

Expressions courantes : while someone sleeps, while someone waits, while someone works

bien que, quoique

Introduit un fait reconnu avant d’en présenter un autre qui le limite ou s’y oppose.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : while + clause, clause (While I understand your reasons, I disagree.); while + adjective (The plan, while simple, will cost too much.)

Synonymes : although, though, even though

Expressions courantes : while I agree, while it is, while admitting something

pendant, en

Indique qu’une chose se produit au cours d’une activité menée au même moment.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : while + -ing (She hurt her ankle while running.)

Synonymes : during

Expressions courantes : while doing something, while waiting, while driving, while eating

passer le temps

Occuper agréablement son temps avec une activité qui demande peu d’effort.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : while away something + -ing (We whiled away the afternoon playing cards.)

Synonymes : pass, spend

Expressions courantes : while away time, while away hours, while away afternoons