Significado
While waiting for something else.
Contexto cultural
Waiting is rarely seen as 'lost time' in Greece. 'Στο μεταξύ' often introduces a social activity like 'πάμε για καφέ', reflecting the importance of spontaneity. News anchors use 'στο μεταξύ' or 'εν τω μεταξύ' constantly to jump between different news stories that are happening on the same day, creating a sense of a busy, interconnected world. In traditional Greek shadow theater (Karagiozis), the narrator uses 'στο μεταξύ' to explain what the villain is doing while the hero is planning his next move. Using 'εν τω μεταξύ' in a Greek business email shows a high level of education and professionalism, as it utilizes the ancient dative case correctly.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after 'Στο μεταξύ' when it starts a sentence. It helps the reader pause and understand that a new parallel action is starting.
Don't over-formalize
Don't use 'εν τω μεταξύ' with your friends at a bar; it sounds like you're reading a legal document. Stick to 'στο μεταξύ'.
Significado
While waiting for something else.
The Comma Rule
Always put a comma after 'Στο μεταξύ' when it starts a sentence. It helps the reader pause and understand that a new parallel action is starting.
Don't over-formalize
Don't use 'εν τω μεταξύ' with your friends at a bar; it sounds like you're reading a legal document. Stick to 'στο μεταξύ'.
Filler Word Alert
If you hear someone say 'εντωμεταξύ' (one word) at the start of every sentence, they are using it as a filler (like 'anyway'). Try not to copy this habit too much!
Writing Transitions
Use it in essays to show that while a problem exists, something else is also happening. It makes your writing sound more balanced.
Teste-se
Συμπληρώστε το κενό με τη σωστή φράση (στο μεταξύ / μετά).
Θα πάω να πάρω τα παιδιά από το σχολείο. __________, εσύ μπορείς να μαγειρέψεις.
We use 'στο μεταξύ' because the cooking happens *while* the person is picking up the children.
Ποια πρόταση είναι σωστή;
Επιλέξτε τη σωστή χρήση της φράσης.
Option B correctly uses 'στο μεταξύ' as an adverbial connector between two independent clauses.
Συμπληρώστε το διάλογο.
Α: Η πτήση μας έχει καθυστέρηση δύο ώρες. Β: Κρίμα! ____________________________________
This is the most natural way to suggest an activity during a wait.
Ταιριάξτε τη φράση με την κατάλληλη κατάσταση.
Πότε θα χρησιμοποιούσατε το 'εν τω μεταξύ' αντί για το 'στο μεταξύ';
'Εν τω μεταξύ' is the formal register version of the phrase.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
στο μεταξύ vs. ενώ
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosΘα πάω να πάρω τα παιδιά από το σχολείο. __________, εσύ μπορείς να μαγειρέψεις.
We use 'στο μεταξύ' because the cooking happens *while* the person is picking up the children.
Επιλέξτε τη σωστή χρήση της φράσης.
Option B correctly uses 'στο μεταξύ' as an adverbial connector between two independent clauses.
Α: Η πτήση μας έχει καθυστέρηση δύο ώρες. Β: Κρίμα! ____________________________________
This is the most natural way to suggest an activity during a wait.
Πότε θα χρησιμοποιούσατε το 'εν τω μεταξύ' αντί για το 'στο μεταξύ';
'Εν τω μεταξύ' is the formal register version of the phrase.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasIt is two words: 'στο' and 'μεταξύ'. However, the formal 'εντωμεταξύ' is often written as one word in informal contexts.
It's rare. It almost always appears at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to connect two ideas.
'Ενώ' is a conjunction (While I was eating...), while 'στο μεταξύ' is an adverb (In the meantime, I ate).
Yes, it is very professional. You might even use 'εν τω μεταξύ' to sound even more polished.
In Modern Greek, yes. In Ancient Greek, it could refer to space, but today we use other words for physical 'between'.
It sounds like the 'x' in 'taxi' (k + s).
No. If you want to say 'between A and B', just use 'μεταξύ' without the 'στο'.
Very! It's a great word for lyrics about waiting for a lover or life passing by.
While the concept is A2, using it correctly in complex C1-level sentences is a sign of advanced mastery.
In informal speech, yes, people often use 'εντωμεταξύ' to introduce a related but new topic.
No, it remains 'στο μεταξύ' regardless of the tense of the verb.
Saying 'σε το μεταξύ' instead of 'στο μεταξύ'.
Frases relacionadas
παράλληλα
similarsimultaneously
ενώ
similarwhile
στο ενδιάμεσο
synonymin the interval
κατά τη διάρκεια
builds onduring the duration
έπειτα
contrastafterwards
συγχρόνως
similarat the same time
