dabei - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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dabei

pronominal adverb of bei (replaces bei + demonstrative or personal pronoun, unless referring to people)
with one, on one
Hast du Geld dabei?
Do you have money on you?
(when) indeed, (but) actually (expressing a contradiction)
Er will einkaufen gehen. Dabei ist heute Sonntag.
He wants to go shopping, when indeed today is Sunday.
in the process of [with zu (+ infinitive) ‘doing something’]
Ich bin dabei, meine Wohnung zu streichen.
I’m in the process of painting my apartment.
thereby, thus
Saatgut und Pollen können dabei über weite Distanzen verschleppt werden.
Seed and pollen can thereby be dispersed across great distances.