Definition

1. Subordinating Conjunction:

   • While / When: Used to indicate that two actions or events are happening simultaneously. It connects a subordinate clause (describing a background or ongoing action) to a main clause.
   • Whereas / While: Used to show a contrast or opposition between two ideas, facts, or situations.

2. Adverbial Phrase:

   • Meanwhile / In the meantime: Used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate what is happening during the same period as another event mentioned previously.

Usage Examples

• As a Subordinating Conjunction (simultaneity):

  • Trong khi tôi nấu cơm, chồng tôi dọn bàn. (While I cook rice, my husband sets the table.)
  • Cô ấy nghe nhạc trong khi làm bài tập. (She listens to music while doing homework.)

• As a Subordinating Conjunction (contrast):

  • Trong khi tôi thích thành phố, chị tôi lại thích nông thôn. (Whereas I like the city, my sister prefers the countryside.)
  • Trong khi dự án của anh ấy thành công, dự án của tôi lại thất bại. (While his project succeeded, mine failed.)

• As an Adverbial Phrase:

  • Tôi sẽ đi siêu thị. Trong khi đó, con có thể hoàn thành bài tập. (I will go to the supermarket. Meanwhile, you can finish your homework.)

Advanced Usage

• "trong khi chờ đợi": while waiting, in the interim.

  • Trong khi chờ đợi kết quả, chúng ta nên chuẩn bị phương án khác. (While waiting for the results, we should prepare another plan.)

• "trong khi đó": meanwhile, in the meantime (often used to start a new sentence).

  • Một nhóm sửa cửa. Trong khi đó, nhóm kia sơn tường. (One group fixes the door. Meanwhile, the other group paints the wall.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đồng thời (adv): simultaneously, at the same time (focuses on coordination rather than background or contrast).

  • Hai sự kiện xảy ra đồng thời. (The two events happened simultaneously.)

• Trong lúc (conj): while, during the time when (very similar to "trong khi," often interchangeable for simultaneity).

  • Trong lúc bạn đi vắng, có một cuộc gọi cho bạn. (While you were away, there was a call for you.)

Synonyms

• While / As: for simultaneous actions.
• Whereas / While: for introducing a contrasting idea.
• Meanwhile / In the meantime: for sequential or parallel events.

Related Idioms

• Trong khi chờ đợi: This phrase is commonly used as a set expression meaning "in the interim" or "while waiting for."
  • Trong khi chờ đợi, mời anh dùng tách trà. (In the meantime, please have a cup of tea.)

adv

1. while, meanwhile