To contrast the habits of the past with the lifestyle of the present, use the conjunction بينما.
While and Whereas (بينما)
The word بينما translates to "while" or "whereas." It links two clauses to highlight a contrast, such as differing preferences between a previous generation (جيل سابق) and a current generation (جيل حالي).
Unlike English, where "while" often requires a continuous tense, بينما flexibly shows contrast across past, present, or complex tenses.
| The previous generation preferred the radio, while the current generation prefers the internet. | فضل الجيل السابق المذياع، بينما يفضل الجيل الحالي الإنترنت.faddala al-jeelu as-sâbiqu al-midhyâ'a, baynamâ yufaddilu al-jeelu al-hâliyyu al-interneta. |
| My father had lived in a traditional era, while we live in a digital era. | كان أبي قد عاش في عصر تقليدي، بينما نحن نعيش في عصر رقمي.kâna abî qad âsha fî aSrin taqlîdiyyin, baynamâ naHnu naîshu fî aSrin raqmiyyin. |
You can also use بينما to contrast the tools, habits, or characteristics of different groups of people.
| Young people rely on social media, while grandfathers prefer the mail. | الشباب يعتمدون على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، بينما يفضل الأجداد البريد.ash-shabâbu ya'tamidûna 'alâ wasâ'ili at-tawâsuli al-ijtimâ'iyyi, baynamâ yufaddilu al-ajdâdu al-barîda. |
| The previous means of transportation was slow, while the current means is very fast. | كانت وسيلة النقل السابقة بطيئة، بينما الوسيلة الحالية سريعة جدا.kânat wasîlatu an-naqli as-sâbiqatu batî'atan, baynamâ al-wasîlatu al-châliyyatu sarî'atun jiddan. |
Making Direct Comparisons
To explicitly make a comparison, use the verb قارن (to compare). The item being compared to is introduced with the preposition بـ (with/to).
| Compare the current generation with the previous generation. | قارني الجيل الحالي بالجيل السابق.qârinî al-jîla al-hâliyya bil-jîli as-sâbiqi |
Simultaneous Actions
Aside from highlighting contrast ("whereas"), بينما also describes actions happening at the exact same time ("while").
In the past tense, you can use كان followed by a present tense verb (meaning "was doing") to show an action was ongoing while another happened.
| The girls compare the means of transportation, while the boys play. | تقارن البنات وسائل النقل، بينما يلعب الأولاد.tuqârinu albanâtu wasâ'ila annaqli, baynamâ yal'abu al-awlâdu |
| The professors had studied the digital era, while the students were playing in the playground. | كان الأساتذة قد درسوا العصر الرقمي، بينما كان الطلاب يلعبون في الملعب.kâna al-asâtidhatu qad darasū al-'asra ar-raqamiyya, baynamâ kâna at-tullâbu yal'abūna fī al-mal'abi |
