Meaning
Shows a period during which another action continues in parallel.
Formation
- あいだ follows Vている, Aい, Aな or Nの: 料理しているあいだ, 夏休みのあいだ
- The second action fills the whole span
When to use it
- Core use
- The whole time something lasts
Example
父が料理しているあいだ私はテーブルをふきます
While my father is cooking, I wipe the table.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.