Using 'During' in German: The Genitive Preposition (während)
während + Genitive to elegantly describe things happening during a specific timeframe or event.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The preposition 'während' means 'during' and always requires the Genitive case for the following noun.
- Use 'während' to describe a duration: 'Während {der|m} Arbeit' (During work).
- Always follow with the Genitive case: 'Während {des|n} Tages' (During the day).
- If the noun has no article, use the Genitive 's' ending: 'Während {schönen|adj} Wetters'.
Overview
In German, expressing that an action occurs within the timeframe of a specific event or period is handled with precision by the preposition während. Functioning as a temporal preposition, während answers the question Wann? (When?) by situating a main action as simultaneous to a noun phrase. For B2 learners, mastering während is a significant step toward more sophisticated and nuanced expression.
Its primary rule is that it governs the Genitive case. Using während correctly signals a command of formal German grammar and distinguishes your speech and writing from more basic constructions.
While you may hear the Dative case used with während in colloquial speech, this is considered non-standard. In any formal context—be it academic writing, business communication, or examinations—the Genitive is obligatory. For example, to say you read during the flight, you would construct the phrase während des Fluges.
This single preposition allows you to connect two ideas concisely, avoiding a longer subordinate clause and lending your sentences a more elegant, fluid structure. It is the grammatical tool for describing parallel timelines revolving around a nominalized event.
How This Grammar Works
während functions by creating a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverbial of time. This entire phrase (während + Genitive noun phrase) modifies the main clause of the sentence, providing temporal context. The core principle at play is case government, where a preposition dictates the grammatical case of the noun phrase that follows it.während is one of a key group of prepositions that requires the Genitive.Sie hat während der Konferenz Notizen gemacht (She took notes during the conference), the act of taking notes is framed by the temporal boundaries of 'the conference'. The conference (die Konferenz) is put into the Genitive (der Konferenz) to establish this relationship.Ich wurde während des Vortrags müde (I became tired during the lecture).während elegantly subordinates the temporal marker (des Vortrags) to the main observation (Ich wurde müde). This grammatical pattern is fundamental to crafting complex, information-dense sentences characteristic of proficient German.Formation Pattern
während requires strict adherence to Genitive case declension rules. The pattern is consistent: während + Noun Phrase in Genitive. This affects the article, any adjectives, and the noun itself.
-en ending, regardless of the noun's gender or number. This simplifies one aspect of declension.
der) | des | eines | -en | während eines langen Tages |
die) | der | einer | -en | während einer wichtigen Sitzung |
das) | des | eines | -en | während eines spannenden Spiels |
die) | der | keiner / meiner | -en | während der letzten Ferien |
-s. Examples: des Films, des Buchs, des Lehrers.
-es when the noun ends in -s, -ss, -ß, -x, -z, or -sch. This aids pronunciation. Examples: des Busses, des Flusses, des Gesetzes.
-es for many single-syllable nouns. Both -s and -es are often possible, with -es being slightly more formal or traditional. Examples: des Tages (more common than des Tags), des Weges (more formal than des Wegs).
der) is the primary marker. Examples: während der Prüfung (not Prüfungs), während der Vorlesungen (not Vorlesungens).
-(e)n in all cases except the nominative singular. Example: während des Studenten (not des Studentes).
während des gesamten Semesters (during the entire semester).
während: The preposition triggering the Genitive case.
des: The definite article for a neuter noun (das Semester) in the Genitive.
gesamten: The adjective (gesamt) with the mandatory Genitive -en ending.
Semesters: The neuter noun (Semester) with its required Genitive -s ending.
When To Use It
während is the preferred choice in specific contexts where precision and a formal register are desired. Its use is a hallmark of educated and standard German (Hochdeutsch).während. In academic essays, business reports, legal documents, and formal correspondence, it is the standard for expressing simultaneity with a noun.Während der Verhandlungen wurden mehrere Kompromisse erzielt.(During the negotiations, several compromises were reached.)Die Ergebnisse werden während der kommenden Wochen veröffentlicht.(The results will be published during the coming weeks.)
während to refer to an action that takes place within the confines of a clearly defined event or historical period. It covers the entire duration or a point within it.Er hat während seines Studiums in Berlin gelebt.(He lived in Berlin during his studies.)Während des Mittelalters war die Lebenserwartung deutlich geringer.(During the Middle Ages, life expectancy was significantly lower.)
während creates a more dynamic narrative than stringing together simple sentences. It allows you to layer actions and context seamlessly.Die Kinder spielten im Garten, während des heftigen Regenschauers unbeeindruckt.(The children played in the garden, unimpressed during the heavy rain shower.)Während der Aufführung klingelte plötzlich ein Handy.(During the performance, a mobile phone suddenly rang.)
während with the Genitive can be a way to be precise, especially among educated speakers. While a friend might text beim Spiel, writing während des Spiels is perfectly normal and clear.When Not To Use It
während to avoid ungrammatical or unnatural-sounding sentences. Its use is specifically constrained to temporal duration.während describes a duration, not a precise instant. For points in time (like on a clock or a specific day), use other prepositions such as um (at), an (on), or in (in).- Incorrect:
Das Meeting beginnt während 14:00 Uhr. - Correct:
Das Meeting beginnt um 14:00 Uhr.(The meeting begins at 2:00 PM.)
für with the Accusative case, not während.- Incorrect:
Ich fahre während zwei Wochen in den Urlaub. - Correct:
Ich fahre für zwei Wochen in den Urlaub.(I am going on vacation for two weeks.)
während. The preposition requires an event or time period. To express this idea, you must use a noun that represents the event involving the person.- Incorrect:
während meinem Professor - Correct:
während des Vortrags meines Professors(during my professor's lecture) orwährend des Gesprächs mit meinem Professor(during the conversation with my professor).
während. You must use the subordinating conjunction während, which introduces a clause and sends the conjugated verb to the end.- Incorrect:
während ich des Schlafes - Correct:
während ich schlief(while I was sleeping). The prepositional form iswährend des Schlafes(during the sleep).
Common Mistakes
während is often paved with a few predictable errors. Being aware of them is the first step to avoiding them.Dativ-Pest)während dem Konzert. This is extremely common in regional dialects and casual speech, to the point where it's sometimes called the Dativ-Pest ("Dative plague"). While you will hear it constantly, it is grammatically incorrect in standard German. For a B2 learner aiming for proficiency, always use the Genitive in writing and formal speech. Using the Dative in an exam or professional email will be marked as an error.-s/-es Endingdes but forget to modify the noun itself. Remember that masculine and neuter singular nouns require this ending.- Error:
während des Flug - Correction:
während des Fluges - Error:
während des Praktikum - Correction:
während des Praktikums
der (which is identical to the feminine singular Nominative/Dative article) and either forget it or add an incorrect noun ending.- Error:
während die Feiertage - Correction:
während der Feiertage(The article must be Genitive.) - Error:
während der Feiertages - Correction:
während der Feiertage(Plural nouns do not get a Genitive-s.)
-en after a definite or indefinite article.- Error:
während eines langer Spaziergangs - Correction:
während eines langen Spaziergangs
Common Collocations
während sound more natural and fluent.während der Arbeitszeit: during working hourswährend der Öffnungszeiten: during opening hourswährend des Studiums: during one's university studieswährend des Urlaubs/der Ferien: during the vacation / holidayswährend der Fahrt/des Fluges: during the drive / flightwährend des Essens: during the mealwährend des Gesprächs: during the conversationwährend des gesamten Zeitraums: during the entire periodwährend der Vorstellung/des Films: during the show / the moviewährend des Zweiten Weltkriegs: during the Second World Warwährend der Schwangerschaft: during pregnancy
Contrast With Similar Patterns
während exists in a web of related grammatical structures. Understanding the subtle differences is key to using it with precision.während (Genitive) vs. bei (Dative)während (+ Genitive) | bei (+ Dative) |während des Konzerts (during the concert - implies the whole time) | beim Konzert (at the concert - could be before, during, or after) |während des Essens (sounds formal, like a planned dinner) | beim Essen (the standard, everyday way to say "while eating") |bei is often the better, more idiomatic choice (bei der Arbeit). If you want to stress "within the timeframe of," während is more precise.während vs. Conjunction währendwährend + Genitive Noun Phrase | Er schlief während des Vortrags. (He slept during the lecture.) |während + Subject + ... + Verb at End | Er schlief, während der Professor sprach. (He slept while the professor was speaking.) |während also has a second, completely different meaning: "whereas," used to show contrast. The context almost always makes the meaning clear.- Contrastive:
Ich trinke Kaffee, während sie Tee bevorzugt.(I drink coffee, whereas she prefers tea.)
Quick FAQ
während?In casual, spoken German, it's very common and you won't be misunderstood. However, in any formal setting (writing, professional speech, exams), it's considered a grammatical error. As a B2 learner, you should train yourself to use the Genitive exclusively to build correct habits.
The Genitive is perfect for this. You can say während Annas Vortrag. The possessive 's' on the name functions as the Genitive marker. Alternatively, especially if the name itself ends in 's' (e.g., Max), you can rephrase using von: während des Vortrags von Max.
-es ending on masculine/neuter nouns sound old-fashioned?Not at all, especially when required for pronunciation (des Gesetzes). With single-syllable nouns like Tag or Jahr, des Tages and des Jahres are standard and very common. The simple -s (des Tags) can feel slightly more colloquial but is also correct. Using -es is always a safe and formal choice.
If a noun phrase lacks an article or adjective that would clearly show the Genitive case (e.g., während Regen), the structure can become ambiguous. In these rare cases, context is key. However, most uses of während will be with an article. If you are unsure of a noun's gender or declension, the Genitive case will make the error obvious. There is no substitute for looking it up.
während?When the prepositional phrase während... starts a sentence, a comma is required to separate it from the main clause, which will begin with the verb. For example: Während des Sommers, fahren wir oft ans Meer. (During the summer, we often drive to the sea.) If the phrase is in the middle of the sentence, no commas are needed around it.
Genitive Articles with während
| Gender | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
des
|
während des Tages
|
|
Feminine
|
der
|
während der Nacht
|
|
Neuter
|
des
|
während des Sommers
|
|
Plural
|
der
|
während der Ferien
|
Meanings
A temporal preposition used to indicate that an action occurs within the timeframe of another event.
Temporal duration
Occurring simultaneously within a timeframe.
“Während {des|m} Urlaubs war ich in Italien.”
“Während {der|f} Pause trinken wir Kaffee.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
während + Gen
|
während des Tages
|
|
Negative
|
während + Gen + nicht
|
während des Tages nicht
|
|
Question
|
Wann + während + Gen?
|
Wann während des Tages?
|
|
Variation
|
während + Adj + Noun
|
während schönen Wetters
|
Formality Spectrum
Während der Sitzung. (Professional setting)
Während des Meetings. (Professional setting)
Beim Meeting. (Professional setting)
Während dem Meeting (colloquial). (Professional setting)
Während Usage
Time
- des Tages of the day
Examples by Level
Während {der|f} Schule.
During school.
Während {des|n} Tages.
During the day.
Während {der|f} Nacht.
During the night.
Während {des|m} Films.
During the movie.
Während {der|f} Pause essen wir.
During the break we eat.
Während {des|m} Urlaubs bin ich weg.
During the vacation I am away.
Während {der|f} Arbeit darf man nicht rauchen.
During work one may not smoke.
Während {des|n} Sommers ist es heiß.
During the summer it is hot.
Während {der|f} gesamten Zeit habe ich gelernt.
During the entire time I studied.
Während {des|m} Meetings wurde viel diskutiert.
During the meeting much was discussed.
Während {der|f} Reise habe ich viele Fotos gemacht.
During the trip I took many photos.
Während {des|n} Konzerts war es sehr laut.
During the concert it was very loud.
Während {der|f} Abwesenheit des Chefs ist das Büro geschlossen.
During the boss's absence the office is closed.
Während {des|m} Vortrags notierte ich wichtige Punkte.
During the lecture I noted important points.
Während {der|f} Behandlung sollte man sich schonen.
During the treatment one should rest.
Während {des|n} Spiels gab es einen Unfall.
During the game there was an accident.
Während {der|f} laufenden Verhandlungen wurde ein Kompromiss erzielt.
During the ongoing negotiations a compromise was reached.
Während {des|m} gesamten Prozesses blieb er ruhig.
During the entire process he remained calm.
Während {der|f} letzten Jahre hat sich viel verändert.
During the last years much has changed.
Während {des|n} Sturms blieben alle im Haus.
During the storm everyone stayed in the house.
Während {der|f} Epoche der Aufklärung wandelte sich das Denken.
During the era of the Enlightenment thinking changed.
Während {des|m} Vorfalls war niemand anwesend.
During the incident no one was present.
Während {der|f} gesamten Dauer der Veranstaltung.
During the entire duration of the event.
Während {des|n} Wintereinbruchs kam der Verkehr zum Erliegen.
During the onset of winter traffic came to a halt.
Easily Confused
One takes a noun, one takes a verb.
Common Mistakes
während dem Tag
während des Tages
während der Tag
während des Tages
während des Tages sein
während des Tages
während des Wetter
während des Wetters
Sentence Patterns
Während ___ habe ich ___.
Real World Usage
Während meiner Ausbildung habe ich viel gelernt.
Genitive check
Smart Tips
Always use Genitive.
Pronunciation
Standard German
Pronounce the 'w' as a 'v' sound.
Statement
Während des Tages ↘
Neutral statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
W-A-H-R-E-N-D: We Always Have Really Elegant Noun Declensions (Genitive).
Visual Association
Imagine a clock (the time) wearing a fancy Genitive crown. Every time you say 'während', the clock bows down to show respect to the Genitive case.
Rhyme
Wäh-rend, das ist klar, nimmt Genitiv, das ist wunderbar.
Story
During the day (während des Tages), I studied German. During the night (während der Nacht), I dreamed of Genitive endings. During the summer (während des Sommers), I finally mastered it.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'während' and the Genitive case.
Cultural Notes
Genitive is highly valued in formal writing.
Similar to Germany, but slightly more formal.
Genitive is used, but Dative is common in speech.
From Middle High German 'wërent'.
Conversation Starters
Was hast du während des Urlaubs gemacht?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Während ___ (der Tag) arbeite ich.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercisesWährend ___ (der Tag) arbeite ich.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWas macht ihr ___ (die Feiertage)?
geschlafen / er / während / hat / des / Vortrags / .
During the meal, we didn't talk.
Welcher Satz ist korrekt?
Match the pairs:
Während der ganz Nacht hat es geregnet.
___ (mein Studium) habe ich in einer WG gewohnt.
Identify the conjunction usage:
During the week
Während des ___ (Tag) war es heiß.
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
Only in very informal speech.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
durante
Spanish doesn't have cases.
pendant
French doesn't have cases.
während
Requires Genitive.
no aida
Word order.
khilal
Case system differences.
zai...qijian
No inflection.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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