entretanto

Entretanto is a Portuguese adverbial conjunction used to indicate a contrast or a shift in time between clauses, roughly equivalent to “meanwhile” or “however” in English. It can connect two independent clauses to signal that what follows contrasts with what preceded, or it can introduce a new development occurring in the meantime. For example: “Ele prometeu; entretanto, não cumpriu.” or “Entretanto, o dia seguiu com tempo estável.” In discourse, it often functions as a sentence adverb, helping to mark a turn in argument or narration.

Etymology and form: the word comes from the combination of entre (between) and tanto (so much, so many). Historically it appeared as two words, “entre tanto,” and later fused into a single term, agora written as “entretanto.” This development reflects ordinary processes of consolidation in Portuguese spelling.

Usage and style: entretanto is commonly found in written Portuguese, including journalism, essays, and formal texts, where it carries a formal or neutral tone. In everyday spoken language, speakers may prefer other connectors such as no entanto, porém, todavia, or simplesmente “mas,” depending on the desired emphasis. Entretanto can appear at the beginning or within a sentence, and it often precedes a clause that presents a contrasting idea or a new temporally subsequent development.

Regional variation: in both European and Brazilian Portuguese, entretanto is widely understood and used, especially in contexts that require a careful, formal transition between ideas. It is less common in casual spoken dialogue, where shorter alternatives may be preferred.