# wobei

wobei is a German adverb meaning “whereas”.

## In other languages

- Русский: причём

## Meanings

1. Introduces a comitative sentence, denoting a simultaneous event with the main clause. It frequently corresponds to English present participles (-ing) in adverbial use.
   - "Nein, bitte nicht", wehrte Bernie schnell ab, wobei er zugleich seine Rechte über das Glas hielt. — "No, please don't," Bernie quickly defended himself, holding his right hand over the glass at the same time.
2. Interrogative and relative adverbs: by what, about what
   - Wobei ist er gestört worden? — What was he disturbed by?
3. _colloquial_ Sometimes with verb in the second position. With concessive meaning when main and subordinate clauses are semantically incompatible.
   - Er lacht nie, wobei er seine Zähne wirklich nicht verstecken muss. — He never laughs, although he really doesn't have to hide his teeth.
4. whereas; whereat; whereupon; at which; in doing so; in which
   - Er reparierte das Fahrrad, wobei er sich an der Hand verletzte. — He was fixing the bike and hurt his hand in doing so.

## Examples

- Wobei ist der Fehler aufgetreten? — When did the error occur?
- Wobei hast du mich sonst noch belogen? — What else have you lied to me about?
- Wobei soll ich dir denn helfen? — What do you want me to help you with?
- Ich bin Moslem, wobei ich davor Christ war. — I'm Muslim and Christianity is my previous faith.
- Ich bin Moslime, wobei ich davor Christin war. — I'm Muslim and Christianity is my previous faith.

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Sources: Meanings and forms from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).
URL: https://wordwide.space/de-en/wort/wobei