Spanish grammar
Mientras + imperfect
Describe two things happening at the same time in the past.
From the scene Mientras cenábamos (While we were having dinner)
In short
Mientras + imperfect gives the background. The other action is imperfect if ongoing, preterite if it happened once.
Your turn
Which one goes with he was playing?
Options: tocaba · mientras cenábamos · mientras mirabais
Show answer
he was playing → tocaba
How it works
Mientras (while) + imperfect gives the background action: mientras cenábamos (while we were having dinner).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Mientras vosotros (blank) el escenario, yo miraba mi plato.
Clue: you two
Options: miraban · mirábamos · mirabais
Show answer
Mientras vosotros mirabais el escenario, yo miraba mi plato.
While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
Good to know
The other action is imperfect if it was also going on (el guitarrista tocaba), or preterite if it happened once (se calentó el salmorejo).
while we were having dinner mientras cenábamos
Nuria
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
Options: Mientras aplaudía · Mientras cenábamos · Mientras mirabais
Show answer
Nuria
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
he was playing tocaba
Nuria
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista (blank) sin parar.
Options: mientras aplaudía · tocaba · mientras mirabais
Show answer
Nuria
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
while you two were watching mientras mirabais
Elena
Normal. Mientras mirabais a los bailaores, yo pedí más pan.
Of course. While you were watching the dancers, I ordered more bread.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Normal. (blank) a los bailaores, yo pedí más pan.
Options: Mientras mirabais · Mientras cenábamos · Tocaba
Show answer
Elena
Normal. Mientras mirabais a los bailaores, yo pedí más pan.
Of course. While you were watching the dancers, I ordered more bread.
while I was clapping mientras aplaudía
Your turn
What goes with mientras aplaudía?
Options: while we were having dinner · he was playing · while I was clapping
Show answer
mientras aplaudía → while I was clapping
the salmorejo got warm se calentó el salmorejo
Nuria
Bueno, mientras hablábamos, se calentó el salmorejo.
Well, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Bueno, mientras hablábamos, (blank).
Options: mientras cenábamos · tocaba · se calentó el salmorejo
Show answer
Nuria
Bueno, mientras hablábamos, se calentó el salmorejo.
Well, while we were talking, the salmorejo got warm.
Common mistake
Not Porque or Aunque here. While (at the same time).
Mientras cenábamos, el guitarrista tocaba sin parar.
While we were having dinner, the guitarist played nonstop.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| while we were having dinner | mientras cenábamos |
|---|---|
| he was playing | tocaba |
| while you two were watching | mientras mirabais |
| while I was clapping | mientras aplaudía |
| the salmorejo got warm | se calentó el salmorejo |
More lines from the story
- ElenaMientras vosotros mirabais el escenario, yo miraba mi plato.While you two were watching the stage, I was watching my plate.
- Javi¡Qué envidia! Yo no comí nada.Lucky you! I ate nothing.
- JaviDoña Elena, usted es la única que cenó de verdad anoche.Doña Elena, you're the only one who really had dinner last night.