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indessen

meanwhile, however, in the meantime

adverb in-DES-en Rare
Grammar & Structure Adverbs

Usage Note

Indessen is the fuller form of indes and carries the same dual meaning: temporal ('in the meantime') and adversative ('however'). It is formal and belongs chiefly to written German. The temporal sense is the slightly more common usage in modern texts.

Examples

"Er war abgereist; indessen hatte sie bereits Bescheid gegeben."

Natural Translation

He had left; meanwhile she had already given notice.

Literal Translation

He was departed; meanwhile had she already notice given.

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