pendant

/pɑ̃.dɑ̃/
1.
preposition

during

for (a period of time)

J'ai dormi pendant tout le trajet.

I slept during the whole trip.

Synonyms:durant, au cours de
3.
nounmasculine

counterpart

equivalent

Ce deuxième film est le pendant du premier.

This second film is the counterpart of the first.

Synonyms:équivalent, homologue, contrepartie
2.
adjective

dangling, hanging down

floppy, droopy, saggy

hanging out, lolling

Les oreilles du chien sont pendantes.

The dog's ears are floppy.

Synonyms:qui pend

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Pendant is primarily a preposition meaning "during" or "for (a duration)". It can also function as a conjunction meaning "while" or "whereas".

USAGE

As a preposition, it specifies a period: "J'ai dormi pendant huit heures." (I slept for eight hours.)

As a conjunction, it links two actions: "Il a lu pendant que j'attendais." (He read while I waited.)

TRAPS

Do not confuse pendant with "depuis". Pendant indicates a finished duration, or the total length of an action. "Depuis" means "since" or "for" an action that started in the past and is still ongoing.