〜あいだに — Something happens within that span | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

Shows a span of time within which an event or completed action happens, without lasting the whole span.

Formation

あいだに follows Vている, an い-adjective, a な-adjective＋な or a noun＋の: an event or completed action that fits inside the span (not lasting all of it): 出かけているあいだに掃除しました

When to use it

Core use: Something happens within that span

Examples

20 sentences

母ははが出かけでかけているあいだに部屋へやを掃除そうじしました
While my mother was out, I cleaned the room.
お湯おゆが沸くわくあいだにカップを並べならべました
While the water was boiling, I lined up the cups.
夏休みなつやすみのあいだに本ほんを二十冊にじゅっさつ読みよみたいです
I want to read twenty books during summer vacation.
先生せんせいが黒板こくばんに書いかいているあいだに大事だいじなところを写真しゃしんに撮りとりました
While the teacher was writing on the board, I took pictures of the important parts.
友だちともだちを待っまっているあいだに近くちかくの店みせで水みずを買いかいました
While waiting for my friend, I bought water at a nearby store.
電車でんしゃで寝ねているあいだに目的地もくてきちを過ぎすぎてしまいました
While I was sleeping on the train, I passed my stop.
留守るすのあいだに荷物にもつが届きとどきました
A package arrived while I was away.
日本にほんに住んすんでいるあいだに友だちともだちが増えふえました
I made more friends while I was living in Japan.

12 more examples

店みせが開いあいているあいだに買い物かいものを済ませすませました
I finished my shopping while the store was open.
スープが冷めるさめるあいだにサラダを作りつくります
I will make a salad while the soup cools.
母ははが買い物かいものに行っいっている間あいだに部屋へやを掃除そうじしました
I cleaned the room while my mother was out shopping.
夏休みなつやすみの間あいだに本ほんを五冊ごさつ読みよみました
I read five books during the summer holidays.
電車でんしゃを待っまっている間あいだに友達ともだちから電話でんわがありました
A friend called while I was waiting for the train.
昼休みひるやすみの間あいだに郵便局ゆうびんきょくへ行きいきます
I will go to the post office during my lunch break.
寝ねている間あいだに雪ゆきが積もりつもりました
Snow piled up while I was asleep.
留学りゅうがくの間あいだにたくさんの友達ともだちができました
I made many friends during my studies abroad.
子どもこどもが遊んあそんでいる間あいだに夕食ゆうしょくを作りつくりました
I made dinner while the child was playing.
先生せんせいが来るくるまでの間あいだに準備じゅんびをしましょう
Let's get ready before the teacher arrives.
旅行りょこうしている間あいだに誕生日たんじょうびを迎えむかえました
My birthday came during the trip.
会議かいぎの間あいだに大切たいせつなメールが届きとどきました
An important email arrived during the meeting.

Important notes

間に places an event or change inside a time interval.

Common mistakes

Do not interpret に as requiring a single instant; several events can occur within the interval.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 店みせが開いあいているあいだに買い物かいものを済ませすませました I finished my shopping while the store was open.I walked to the station while looking at the map.After doing my homework, I watch TV.
Sentence 2: 寝ねている間あいだに雪ゆきが積もりつもりました We discussed our travel plans while drinking tea.Snow piled up while I was asleep.After eating breakfast, I go to school.
Sentence 3: 会議かいぎの間あいだに大切たいせつなメールが届きとどきました An important email arrived during the meeting.I listened to my grandfather's story while looking at photos.I went to bed after taking a shower.

Similar grammar

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