enquanto

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• em quanto, emquanto (pre-reform spelling)

Etymology

Inherited from Old Galician-Portuguese enquanto, from en (“in”) + quanto (“how much”). Compare Spanish en cuanto.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): (careful pronunciation) /ẽˈkwɐ̃.tu/, (natural pronunciation) /ĩˈkwɐ̃.tu/

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): (careful pronunciation) /ẽˈkwɐ̃.tu/, (natural pronunciation) /ĩˈkwɐ̃.tu/
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): (careful pronunciation) /ẽˈkwɐ̃.to/, (natural pronunciation) /ĩˈkwɐ̃.to/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ẽˈkwɐ̃.tu/

• Rhymes: -ɐ̃tu
• Hyphenation: en‧quan‧to

Conjunction

enquanto

1. as; while (at the same time as)

   Enquanto vocês assistiam o filme, eu estudei.

   While you were watching the film, I was studying.

   Fique aqui dentro enquanto chove.

   Stay inside while it rains.

   • 2003, J. K. Rowling, Lia Wyler, Harry Potter e a Ordem da Fênix, Rocco, page 246:

     Então continuaram a estudar enquanto o céu lá fora se tornava gradualmente mais escuro.

     Then they continued to study while the sky outside was becoming gradually darker.

2. while; whereas (introduces a situation that is contrasts with another situation)

   Enquanto eles são violentos e perigosos, nós somos pacíficos e amigáveis.

   While they are violent and dangerous, we are peaceful and friendly.

   Vocês querem vadiar enquanto nós queremos trabalhar.

   You want to idle while we want to work.

Derived terms

• enquanto isso
• por enquanto

Preposition

enquanto

1. (formal) as a (in the role of; being)

   Synonym: como

   Qual é a sua opinião enquanto professor?

   What is your opinion as a teacher?

See also

• durante