間
During/while
Use 間（あいだ） when an action lasts for the entire duration of a period. Use 間に（あいだに） when an action is completed within that period.
How It Works
1. 間（あいだ） - Continuous Duration
When you use 間 without に, it means that Action B occurs for the entire time that Action A is happening. Both actions start and end at roughly the same time. Note that the verb in the main clause MUST express a continuous state or action (e.g., 待つ, 読む, 寝る) and cannot be a momentary verb.
2. 間に（あいだに） - Action Within a Window
When you add the particle に, it indicates that Action B occurred within that time frame. Action B does not have to be a single moment; it just needs to be finished before Action A ends.
3. Connection Rules
- Verbs: Use the dictionary form, ない form, or the ている form. For action verbs, the ている form is the standard choice to show an ongoing state. Stative verbs like いる and ある usually stay in the dictionary form.
- Non-Past Rule: The verb preceding 間 generally stays in the non-past tense (dictionary, ない, or ている form), even if the entire sentence describes a past event. (Note: Native speakers occasionally use the past continuous form to emphasize a past ongoing state, but the non-past form is standard.)
- Nouns: Use の + 間. (e.g., 夏休みの間). This applies only to nouns expressing a duration of time or an ongoing activity.
- Adjectives: い-adjectives attach directly; な-adjectives use な. Important: For abstract states or conditions (like 若い, 元気な, or 独身), Japanese heavily prefers うちに over 間に, because 間に implies a more objective, measurable time span.
4. Subject Marking Rule
If the subject of the first clause (before 間) is different from the subject of the main clause, the first subject must be marked with が. Using は is incorrect specifically when the subordinate clause has a different subject from the main clause. If the subject is the same, it can be marked with は at the beginning of the sentence.
5. Comparison with うちに and ながら
While 間に is used for time frames with clear, objective start and end points, うちに is used for subjective boundaries or when carrying an urgent nuance of 'before the state changes'. Furthermore, unlike ながら (which requires the same subject performing two simultaneous active tasks), 間/間に can be used with different subjects or when describing a background state.
Examples (6)
- 涼しい間だけ、外で遊びましょう。
Let's play outside only while it is cool.
Word by Word: Cool interval only, outside at let's-play.
This uses 間 because the action of playing lasts for the entire duration of the cool weather. The adjective 涼しい（すずしい） connects directly to 間.
- 社長がいない間に、この仕事を終わらせましょう。
Let's finish this work while the boss is away.
Word by Word: Company-president (subject) exist-not interval-in, this work (object) let's-finish.
The boss being away is an objective, measurable time span, making 間に appropriate. The action of finishing the work happens within this window.
- 日本にいる間、ずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained the whole time I was in Japan.
Word by Word: Japan in exist interval, all-along rain (subject) falling was.
Stative verbs like いる use the dictionary form before 間. Since the rain lasted the entire stay, 間 is used without に. Note that even though the main clause is in the past, the verb before 間 remains in the non-past form いる.
- 私が知らない間に、弟はケーキを食べてしまった。
While I wasn't looking (without me knowing), my brother ate the cake.
Word by Word: I (subject) know-not interval-in, younger-brother (topic) cake (object) ate-completely.
The negative form ない is often used to mean 'before/while not'. The eating happened within the window of not knowing.
- 夏休みの間に、宿題を全部終わらせました。
I finished all my homework during summer vacation.
Word by Word: Summer-vacation 's interval-in, homework (object) all finished.
Finishing homework is an action completed within the time frame of the vacation, so 間に is used.
- 子供が寝ている間に、本を読んだ。
I read a book while the child was sleeping.
Word by Word: Child (subject) sleeping-is interval-in, book (object) read.
For action verbs like 寝る（ねる）, the ている form is the standard way to express 'while'. The reading was completed within the child's sleep duration.
Common Mistakes
Using the past tense before 間 for past events.
寝た間に、地震があった。寝ている間に、地震があった。Even if the main sentence is in the past, the verb describing the 'time window' should be in the non-past or continuous ている form.
Using は instead of が for the subject of the first clause.
母は寝ている間に、出かけた。母が寝ている間に、出かけた。When the subjects of the two clauses are different, the subject of the clause before 間 must be marked with が, not は.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '間' (during/while), you need to know how to modify nouns using verbs and adjectives. Since it describes a continuous state or action, familiarity with the 'ている' (progressive) form is essential. Additionally, you must understand how the particle 'の' links nouns to define specific time frames.
- Noun Modification
The pattern '間' functions as a noun that is modified by verbs, adjectives, or other nouns to define a specific period of time.
Level 1 - ているProgressive/resultative
This pattern is frequently used with the progressive form to describe an action occurring throughout a duration.
Level 2 - のPossessive/nominalizer
The possessive particle 'の' is required when connecting a noun to '間' to specify a time period (e.g., 夏休みの間).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- ながらWhile Doing
Used for simultaneous actions by the same subject, whereas 間 can have different subjects.
Level 2 - 〜うちにWhile/during
Similar to 間に, but うちに often implies a sense of urgency or 'before the state changes'.
Level 3 - 最中にIn the Middle of
Emphasizes being 'right in the middle' of an action, often implying an interruption.
Level 2 - 時When/at the Time
A general word for 'when', whereas 間 specifically focuses on the duration of a period.
Level 2
Learn Next
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Practice 間 in Bubblegum
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