Learn Japanese grammar: 間に 【あいだに】(aida ni). Meaning: while/during~ something happened.
Meaning 1) doing with intent while~
This is very similar to 間 (aida), but one difference is that it can also show intent. That you intentionally chose to do something during some time or take advantage of an opportunity.
待っている間に本を読んだ。
matteiru aida ni hon o yonda.
I read a book while I waited.
This expresses that you took advantage of the time you were waiting to read a book.
Meaning 2) while/during [A] something happened
This can also express something that happened while or during a time period that is not in your control.
寝ている間に夢を見ました。
neteiru aida ni yume o mimashita.
I had a dream while I was sleeping.
Having a dream is something that is out of our control, so this simply expresses that the dream had happened during the period you were asleep.

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間に - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
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Example #1
夜の間に火事が起こった。
Example #2
知らない間に寝ていた。
Example #3
日本にいる間に、日本語が上手になりたいです。
Example #4
休みの間に漢字を200個覚えた。
Example #5
先生がいない間にスマホを見ていた。
Example #6
私が料理をしている間に電話がなった。
Example #7
昨日、私は買い物をしている間に自転車を盗まれた。
Example #8
夏休みの間に、復習しておいてくださいね。
Example #9
電車を待っている間にこの雑誌でも読んでください。
Example #10
彼は手術を受けている間に死んだ。
Vocabulary List 語彙
Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
---|---|---|
日本 | にほん | Japan |
上手 | じょうず | skillful; skilled; proficient; good (at) |
電車 | でんしゃ | train; electric train |
休み | やすみ | rest; vacation; holiday |
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