Breakdown of Wir schalten nach Spanien. Währenddessen funktioniert weder das Bild noch das Mikrofon.
wir
we
das Bild
the picture
funktionieren
to work (function)
Spanien
Spain
nach
to / towards
das Mikrofon
the microphone
weder ... noch
nor
schalten
to switch
währenddessen
in the meantime
Questions & Answers about Wir schalten nach Spanien. Währenddessen funktioniert weder das Bild noch das Mikrofon.
Why is the verb funktioniert placed right after Währenddessen?
Währenddessen is a temporal adverb (meaning "meanwhile" or "in the meantime"). When an adverb takes the first position in a German sentence, the conjugated verb must immediately follow it in the second position to satisfy the V2 rule. If you started with the subject instead, it would be: Weder das Bild noch das Mikrofon funktioniert währenddessen.
Could I just use während instead of währenddessen to mean "meanwhile"?
No, because they serve different grammatical roles. Während (while) is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause and pushes the verb to the very end (e.g., Wir schalten nach Spanien, während weder das Bild noch das Mikrofon funktioniert). Währenddessen is an adverb used in a main clause, allowing you to start a brand new sentence with it.
Why is the verb funktioniert singular if two things (the picture and the microphone) are broken?
When you connect subjects with weder ... noch (neither ... nor), the verb usually agrees with the nouns individually rather than combining them into a plural "they". Because both das Bild and das Mikrofon are singular, the verb takes the singular form funktioniert. If one of those nouns were plural, you would typically use a plural verb.
What does schalten mean in this specific context?
You might know schalten from driving (shifting gears) or electronics (turning things on/off). However, in television, radio, or streaming broadcasts, schalten nach means to "switch over" or "connect live" to a reporter or feed in another location.
Learn Wir schalten nach Spanien. Währenddessen funktioniert weder das Bild noch das Mikrofon and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free