al mismo tiempo
/al ˌmismo ˈtjempo/
In Spanish, "at the same time" is translated as al mismo tiempo.
al mismo tiempo is used to describe things happening at the same instant. Beyond temporal simultaneity, it can also serve as a logical transition meaning "nevertheless" or "however," similar to how the phrase is used in English.
Meaning: at the same instant (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the contraction al (at the), the adjective mismo (same) and the noun tiempo (time).
How does it change in a sentence?
al mismo tiempo is an adverbial phrase and does not change its form to agree with the subject of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/al ˌmismo ˈtjempo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, tiempo is used for both 'time' as a general concept and 'weather'. A speaker might ask about the tiempo to know if it is raining.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone says no tengo tiempo, it can be a polite way of declining an invitation rather than a literal statement of their schedule.
- The noun tiempo comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stretch', suggesting that 'time' was originally conceived as a continuous length or string.
Examples in context
- Llegamos al mismo tiempo.We got there at the same time.This sentence shows how to use al mismo tiempo to describe arrival.Tatoeba #1250981 by Shishir, translation #262755 by CK
- Empezaron al mismo tiempo.They started at the same time.This sentence shows how to use al mismo tiempo to describe a beginning.Tatoeba #2384264 by diegohn, translation #307252 by CK
- No hablen todos al mismo tiempo.Don't all speak at the same time.This sentence shows how to use al mismo tiempo to instruct people not to speak at once.Tatoeba #1211896 by marcelostockle, translation #1019939 by sundown
- Estaba preparando la cena y, al mismo tiempo, hablaba por teléfono con mi amiga.I was preparing dinner and, at the same time, talking on the phone with my friend.
- En el evento de caridad, los voluntarios trabajaron a la vez para asegurarse de que todo saliera bien.At the charity event, the volunteers worked simultaneously to ensure everything went well.
- Vamos a iniciar la presentación de manera simultánea en todas las sedes del país.We will start the presentation simultaneously in all the branches across the country.
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing their morning routine.
- MaríaMe despierto y pienso en el trabajo al mismo tiempo.I wake up and think about work at the same time.
- AlejandroYo prefiero tomar café antes de pensar en eso.I prefer to drink coffee before thinking about that.
- MaríaEs difícil hacer dos cosas al mismo tiempo.It is difficult to do two things at the same time.
- AlejandroTienes razón, María. Es mejor ir paso a paso.You are right, María. It is better to go step by step.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry al mismo tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mismo, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
