Structure
Verb + 間に
[い]Adjective + 間に
[な]Adjective + な + 間に
Noun + の + 間に
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Standard
使用域
一般
About の間に
間に is an expression that can be used with almost any type of word, to highlight that (A) is the period/space within which something else will or did happen/exist. It may also be a period/space 'until' something else will or did happen/exist. It is a combination of the noun 間, and the case marking particle に.
When used with verbs or い-Adjectives, 間に will simply follow the verb/adjective. However, の will be required after nouns, while な will be required after な-Adjectives.
When used with verbs or い-Adjectives, 間に will simply follow the verb/adjective. However, の will be required after nouns, while な will be required after な-Adjectives.
- あくびをしている間に笑わせないでって前も言ったじゃないか。I told you before not to make me laugh while I'm yawning!
- 若い間に色々な経験をした方がいいです。It would be better if you experience many different things while you are young.
- 暇な間に、部屋の片付けをしておこう。While I'm free, I should clean my room. (Because I can't when I am busy)
- 冷蔵庫とシンクの間に箸を落としてしまった。I accidentally dropped a chopstick between the sink and the refrigerator.
- 1月から4月までの間に日本に行きたいと思います。I think I want to go to Japan sometime between January and April.
- 13時から15時までの間に連絡をください。Please give us a call from the period of between 1pm and 3 pm.
- 彼女は冬休みの間に地元へ帰った。She went back to her home town during winter break.
- コンタクトと目の間にゴミが入って、目がとても痛い。My eye is extremely sore because I got something between my contact and my eye.
Synonyms
ながら
While ~ing, During, As
Not studied yet
うちに
While, During
Not studied yet
~ところに・~ところへ
At the time, When, While, Timing
Not studied yet
とき
When, At the time of
Not studied yet
ているところだ
In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
Not studied yet
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
Not studied yet
中
During, While, Throughout, In the process of
Not studied yet
最中に
In the middle of
Not studied yet
ついでに
While you are at it, On the occasion
Not studied yet
Examples
今日の午後の2時から3時の間には、ここに来ないで。
Please don't come here between 2pm and 3pm today.
いつも、忙しい間には掃除ができない。
I cannot always clean while busy.
私が暇な間に、電話をかけてください。
Please call me while I am free.
仕事に行くまでの間に掃除したかったけど無理だった。
During the time that I had before going to work I wanted to clean, but it was not possible.
私が家にいる間に、電話をかけてください。
Please call me while I am at home.
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間に
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Difference between 間 and 間に
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Examples and formation
Core 6000
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Genki II 1st Edition
Page 185
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 216
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 69
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の間に – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (21 in total)
Daru
This grammar point always refers to space!
The first sentence is “in the valley in the space between the mountains”, whilst the second one is “between two tall people”, like you’ve correctly pointed out.
Could you give a bit more clarification on what is it that you feel like you’re missing? To me it seems like you have a good grasp.
razmic
For this,
長い航海の間に、僕は本物の船乗りになったんだ。
During a long voyage, I became a real sailor.
Is there a reason I could not use の序でに instead of の間に?
Forgive me if this has been answered somewhere.willemvanhazendonk
then how about the following sentences
いつも、忙しい間には掃除できない
いつも、忙しいうちには掃除ができないI assume the latter would be wrong/unnatural since it became a select time frame due to いつも
while i am busy i cant always clean / or always while busy i cannot clean.then theres the following sentence:
赤ちゃんは食べている内に寝てしまった
赤ちゃんは食べている間に寝てしまった
would the first one imply that because the baby fell asleep he won’t be able to eat anymore? wheres the second sentence simply states that the baby fell asleep?
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