「〜間（あいだ）に」- During a Specific Time Period

Explanation

「〜間（あいだ）に」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to indicate that an action or event occurs within a specific time frame. It emphasizes a particular action or change that happens during that period.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Plain Form + 間に	Verb Plain Form + 間に	Indicates that a specific event occurs while an action is ongoing.
い-Adjective Plain Form + 間に	い-Adjective Plain Form + 間に	Indicates that a specific event occurs while a state is ongoing.
Noun + の + 間に	Noun + の + 間に	Indicates that a specific event occurs within the time frame represented by the noun.

Basic Usage

• Verb Plain Form + 間に: Indicates that a specific event occurs while an action is ongoing.
• い-Adjective Plain Form + 間に: Indicates that a specific event occurs while a state is ongoing.
• Noun + の + 間に: Indicates that a specific event occurs within the time frame represented by the noun.

Examples

• 赤ちゃんあかちゃんが寝ているねている間にあいだに、洗濯せんたくをしました。
• Akachan ga neteiru aida ni, sentaku o shimashita.
• While the baby was sleeping, I did the laundry.
  

• 私わたしが出かけているでかけている間にあいだに、荷物にもつが届いたとどいた。
• Watashi ga dekaketeiru aida ni, nimotsu ga todoita.
• While I was out, the package arrived.
  

• 彼かれが休んでいるやすんでいる間にあいだに、新人しんじんが入ってきたはいってきた。
• Kare ga yasundeiru aida ni, shinjin ga haittekita.
• While he was resting, a new person joined.
  

Deep Dive

「〜間（あいだ）に」 is widely applicable in various contexts. It can describe events that occur during an ongoing action or state. The key is to clearly establish the relationship between the time frame and the event.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrectly using it to describe habitual actions. For example, 「毎日まいにち勉強べんきょうする間にあいだに」 (during studying every day) is incorrect. Instead, use 「毎日まいにち勉強べんきょうしている間にあいだに」 (while studying every day).

Comparison and Differences

「〜間に」 vs. 「間」

• 「間に」: Emphasizes a specific event that occurs at a particular moment within a time frame.

  • 私わたしが本ほんを読んでいるよんでいる間にあいだに、電話でんわが鳴ったなった。
  • Watashi ga hon o yondeiru aida ni, denwa ga natta.
  • While I was reading a book, the phone rang.
    

• 「間」: Emphasizes the continuation of a state or action throughout the entire time frame.

  • 彼かれはテレビてれびを見ているみている間あいだ、私わたしは勉強べんきょうしていた。
  • Kare wa terebi o miteiru aida, watashi wa benkyou shiteita.
  • While he was watching TV, I was studying.
    

Real-Life Scenarios

• 休みのやすみの間にあいだに髪かみを染めたいそめたい。
• Yasumi no aida ni kami o sometai.
• I want to dye my hair during the break.
  

• 彼かれは私わたしと一緒にいるいっしょにいる間にあいだに、ずっと会社かいしゃの悪口わるくちを言っていたいっていた。
• Kare wa watashi to issho ni iru aida ni, zutto kaisha no warukuchi o itteita.
• While he was with me, he kept badmouthing the company.
  

• 春休みのはるやすみの間にあいだに、海外かいがい旅行りょこうに行こういこうかと考えているかんがえている。
• Haruyasumi no aida ni, kaigai ryokou ni ikou ka to kangaeteiru.
• I’m thinking about going on an overseas trip during spring break.
  

Summary

「〜間に」 is an important Japanese grammar point used to describe specific events that occur within a particular time frame. By understanding and applying this structure, you can more accurately express the timing and details of events in Japanese.