Temporal Connectors

These temporal connectors are adverbs and conjunctions that express time-related relationships between events. They indicate simultaneity, sequence, or a transition in time.

1. Detailed Explanation of Each Connector

1. bis dahin (until then)

• Refers to a specific time in the future or past.
• Used when talking about something that continues up to a point.

Examples:

Ich werde in einer Woche umziehen. Bis dahin muss ich noch viel packen.
I will move in a week. Until then, I still have a lot to pack.

Er war zwei Jahre arbeitslos. Bis dahin hatte er immer gearbeitet.
He was unemployed for two years. Until then, he had always worked.

2. daraufhin (thereafter, as a result)

• Refers to something happening as a result of a previous event.
• Often used in narration or logical sequences.

Examples:

Er bestand die Prüfung. Daraufhin bekam er eine Stelle.
He passed the exam. As a result, he got a job.

Sie beschwerte sich über den Service. Daraufhin entschuldigte sich der Manager.
She complained about the service. As a result, the manager apologized.

3. gleichzeitig (simultaneously, at the same time)

• Indicates that two actions happen at the same time.

Examples:

Er arbeitet und hört gleichzeitig Musik.
He works and listens to music at the same time.

Ich kann nicht essen und gleichzeitig telefonieren.
I can’t eat and talk on the phone at the same time.

4. mittlerweile (meanwhile, over time)

• Indicates that a change has occurred over time.

Examples:

Ich habe vor drei Jahren angefangen zu studieren. Mittlerweile bin ich fast fertig.
I started studying three years ago. In the meantime, I am almost finished.

Die Stadt ist mittlerweile viel moderner geworden.
The city has become much more modern in the meantime.

5. inzwischen (in the meantime)

• Refers to an event that happened in the meantime while waiting for something else.
• Similar to mittlerweile, but often used in shorter time frames.

Examples:

Der Zug hatte Verspätung. Inzwischen trank ich einen Kaffee.
The train was delayed. In the meantime, I drank a coffee.

Ich habe meine Bewerbung abgeschickt. Inzwischen warte ich auf eine Antwort.
I sent my application. In the meantime, I am waiting for a response.

6. währenddessen (meanwhile, during that time)

• Refers to something happening at the same time as another action.
• Similar to gleichzeitig, but used more for separate events.

Examples:

Er kochte das Abendessen. Währenddessen deckte sie den Tisch.
He cooked dinner. Meanwhile, she set the table.

Ich hatte eine Besprechung. Währenddessen rief mich mein Chef an.
I was in a meeting. Meanwhile, my boss called me.

Other Temporal Connectors (Temporale Konnektoren) in German

Temporal connectors are conjunctions, adverbs, or phrases that establish a temporal relationship between two events. They indicate simultaneity, sequence, duration, or conditions in time.

1. Types of Temporal Connectors

At the C1 level, German has several types of temporal connectors, which are categorized based on their function:

2. Explanation of Each Temporal Connector

A) Simultaneity (Gleichzeitigkeit)

These connectors express that two events happen at the same time.

während (+ Verb am Ende) → “while”

Während er arbeitet, hört er Musik.
While he works, he listens to music.

solange (+ Verb am Ende) → “as long as”

Solange du lernst, wirst du besser.
As long as you study, you will improve.

Difference:

• während → focuses on two simultaneous events.
• solange → emphasizes a condition for the duration.

B) Sequence (Reihenfolge)

These connectors show that one event happens before or after another.

nachdem (+ Plusquamperfekt + Perfekt/Präteritum) → “after”

Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich ins Bett.
After I had eaten, I went to bed.

bevor (+ Verb am Ende) → “before”

Bevor er schlafen geht, liest er ein Buch.
Before he goes to sleep, he reads a book.

als (+ Verb am Ende) → “when (past event)”

Als ich 10 Jahre alt war, hatte ich ein Fahrrad.
When I was 10 years old, I had a bike.

wenn (+ Verb am Ende) → “whenever/if”

Wenn es regnet, nehme ich einen Schirm.
Whenever it rains, I take an umbrella.

kaum…da (+ Verb am Ende) → “hardly…when”

Kaum war er angekommen, da begann es zu regnen.
Hardly had he arrived when it started raining.

Difference:

• nachdem → for events in the past, with different tenses.
• bevor → focuses on what happened before an action.
• als → single event in the past.
• wenn → repeated events (whenever) or future conditions.
• kaum…da → emphasizes immediate succession.

C) Duration (Dauer)

These connectors indicate how long something lasts.

bis (+ Verb am Ende) → “until”

Warte hier, bis ich zurückkomme.
Wait here until I come back.

solange (+ Verb am Ende) → “as long as”

Ich bleibe hier, solange du mich brauchst.
I will stay here as long as you need me.

während (+ Verb am Ende) → “during/while”

Während des Unterrichts darf man nicht sprechen.
During class, one must not talk.

Difference:

• bis → focuses on the end of an action.
• solange → focuses on the entire duration of an action.
• während → focuses on two actions happening simultaneously.

D) Starting and Ending Points

These connectors define the beginning or ending of an action.

seit / seitdem (+ Verb am Ende) → “since”

Seit ich in Deutschland bin, trinke ich mehr Kaffee.
Since I have been in Germany, I drink more coffee.

bis (+ Verb am Ende) → “until”

Ich bleibe hier, bis du kommst.
I will stay here until you come.

Difference:

• seit/seitdem → action started in the past and continues.
• bis → action stops at a certain point.