Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say In the Meantime in Spanish
Mientras Tanto · adverb · mee-EHN-trahs TAHN-toh
'In the meantime' translates to 'mientras tanto' in Spanish, a two-word adverbial phrase used to connect two time periods or actions. It indicates what happens during a waiting period or between two events. The phrase is used identically in all Spanish-speaking countries with no regional variation.
Say mee-EHN-trahs TAHN-toh. 'Mientras' has stress on the first syllable with a diphthong 'ie,' and 'tanto' has stress on the first syllable as well. Both words flow together naturally.
El vuelo sale en tres horas. Mientras tanto, vamos a comer algo.
The flight leaves in three hours. In the meantime, let's get something to eat.
In the Meantime in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for in the meantime, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mientras tanto | in the meantime | mee-EHN-trahs TAHN-toh | Default, widely understood |
| entre tanto | in the meantime | slightly more formal | |
| entretanto | in the meantime | literary |
How Native Speakers Use Mientras Tanto
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Waiting scenario
La comida estará lista en veinte minutos. Mientras tanto, pon la mesa.
The food will be ready in twenty minutes. In the meantime, set the table.
Suggesting an activity to fill time while waiting.
Narrative transition
Ella estudiaba para su examen. Mientras tanto, su hermano jugaba en el jardín.
She was studying for her exam. Meanwhile, her brother was playing in the garden.
Contrasting simultaneous activities in storytelling.
Business context
Estamos esperando aprobación del presupuesto. Mientras tanto, avancemos con la planificación.
We're waiting for budget approval. In the meantime, let's move forward with planning.
Professional setting where productive waiting is encouraged.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mientras Tanto
Using 'en el tiempo medio'
Incorrect: En el tiempo medio, voy a preparar café.
Correct: Mientras tanto, voy a preparar café.
Literally translating 'in the meantime' word by word produces nonsense in Spanish. 'Mientras tanto' is the fixed, idiomatic expression.
Confusing 'mientras' alone with 'mientras tanto'
Incorrect: Mientras, leí un libro. (missing 'tanto' for 'in the meantime')
Correct: Mientras tanto, leí un libro.
'Mientras' alone means 'while' and introduces a subordinate clause (mientras llovía...). For the standalone adverb 'in the meantime,' you need the complete phrase 'mientras tanto.'
Lock in In the Meantime Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Mientras Tanto used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using mientras tanto in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El vuelo sale en tres horas. Mientras tanto, vamos a comer algo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About In the Meantime in Spanish
- Can 'mientras tanto' start a sentence?
- Placing 'mientras tanto' at the beginning of a sentence is very natural and common in Spanish, typically followed by a comma, as in 'Mientras tanto, preparemos todo'—it can also appear mid-sentence or at the end for stylistic variety.
- What's the difference between 'mientras tanto' and 'entre tanto'?
- Both mean the same thing (in the meantime/meanwhile), but 'entre tanto' carries a slightly more formal or literary tone, and 'entretanto' (written as one word) is even more literary—for everyday spoken and written Spanish, 'mientras tanto' is by far the most natural and common choice.
- How is 'mientras tanto' different from 'por ahora'?
- While both relate to time, 'mientras tanto' (in the meantime) connects two events or fills a gap between them, whereas 'por ahora' (for now) indicates a temporary state that may change later without necessarily implying a specific future event being waited for.