frattempo

meantime

noun fraht-TEHM-poh Less Common

Origin: from fra ('between') plus tempo ('time')

Usage Note

Frattempo almost never stands alone; it lives in the fixed phrase nel frattempo ('in the meantime, meanwhile'). Treat it as a set adverbial chunk rather than a freely usable noun.

Examples

"Nel frattempo, preparo il caffè."

Natural Translation

In the meantime, I'll make the coffee.

Literal Translation

In-the meantime, I-prepare the coffee.

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