Awhile Meaning in English
word
/əˈwaɪɫ/
uh-WYL
/ɐwˈaɪl/
uh-WYL
Definition
For a short time or for some time. It is an adverb, often used after verbs like 'wait,' 'stay,' or 'sit'.
Usage & Nuances
'Awhile' is an adverb, so say 'stay awhile' and 'wait awhile,' not 'for awhile' in careful usage. Compare with 'a while,' a noun phrase: 'wait a while.' In everyday speech, many native speakers use them loosely, but this distinction is useful in writing.
Spanish: por un rato - un tiempoPortuguese (BR): por um tempo - por um tempinhoPortuguese (PT): por um bocado - durante algum tempoChinese (Simplified): 一会儿 - 一段时间Chinese (Traditional): 一會兒 - 一段時間Hindi: थोड़ी देर - कुछ समय के लिएArabic: لفترة قصيرة - لبعض الوقتBengali: একটু সময় - কিছুক্ষণRussian: немного - некоторое времяJapanese: しばらくVietnamese: một lúc - một thời gianKorean: 잠시 - 한동안Turkish: bir süre - bir müddetUrdu: کچھ دیر - تھوڑی دیرIndonesian: sebentar - beberapa saat
Example Sentences
Please sit awhile and relax.
basic
We talked awhile after dinner.
basic
Stay awhile if you have time.
basic
I'm going to lie down for awhile before we leave.
natural
Can you keep the kids busy awhile? I need to make a call.
natural
Let's just sit here awhile and enjoy the view.
natural