This lesson explores the conjunction tandis que, which translates to both “whereas” and “while”.
tandis que
whereas, while
Word origin
The modern French word tandis comes from tamdĭū (so long, all this time) in Latin.
Example sentences
These first two example sentences use tandis que in the context of making a contrast.
Marie a les yeux marron tandis que sa sœur a les yeux bleus.
Marie has brown eyes whereas her sister has blue eyes.
This next sentence uses the adjective bosseur/bosseuse (hard working), which is related to the verb bosser (to work hard). Both feignant and paresseux mean “lazy” in French.
Sylvie est bosseuse tandis que Martin est très feignant.
Sylvie is hardworking whereas Martin is very lazy.
This final example sentence uses tandis que in the context of expressing two simultaneous actions. The conjunction pendant que (while) could also be used in this sentence.
Je nettoie la cuisine tandis que ma femme range la chambre.
I’m cleaning the kitchen while my wife is tidying the bedroom.
Related lessons
- Pour que so that, in order to
- Quoique – even though, although
- Pourvu que – provided that
- Malgré – despite
- Lors de – at the time of
- Bien que – even though, although
- Cependant – however, yet, nonetheless
- Color names
References
Word of the day lessons | Lessons by David Issokson
