Learn Japanese grammar: 間 【あいだ】(aida). Meaning: while; during; between.
Meaning 1) while/during
This is used when you do something the whole time during a certain period of time, so it is often paired together with words like ずっと “continuously”.
電車に乗っている間、ずっと本を読んでいました。
densha ni notteiru aida, zutto hon o yonde imashita.
I read a book the entire time I was on the train.
Instead if you want to say something happened at one point “during” some time, use 間に (aida ni).
Meaning 2) between
This can express the physical space between [A] and [B].
名古屋は東京と大阪の間にあります。
nagoya wa toukyou to oosaka no aida ni arimasu.
Nagoya is in between Tokyo and Osaka.
Or the time between [A] and [B].
9時から5時までの間、仕事です。
ku ji kara go ji made no aida, shigoto desu.
I work from 9 to 5.
Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N4 grammar flashcards.
Download our complete
JLPT N4 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
間 - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
昨日は、家にいる間、ずっとテレビを見ていました。
Example #2
日本にいる間は、毎日日本語を話すつもりです。
Example #3
サイクリングをしている間、ずっと雨が降っていました。
Example #4
食事の間、彼女と一緒に映画を見ました。
Example #5
学校にいる間は、スマホを使ってはいけません。
Example #6
バスに乗っている間、ずっと寝ていました。
Example #7
バスを待っている間、後ろのおばあさんと話をしていました。
Example #8
日本にいる間は私の家に泊まって。
Example #9
あなたがここにいる間は私がいろいろ案内してあげましょう。
Example #10
この二人の間にどのような関係が生まれますか？
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 電車 | でんしゃ | train; electric train |
| 雨 | あめ | rain |
| 学校 | がっこう | school |
| 日本 | にほん | Japan |
| 家 | いえ | house, residence, family |
View all JLPT N4 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N4 Grammar Lessons
Recommended JLPT N4 Books
Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N4 Grammar
This book covers all of the JLPT N4 Grammar in 6 weeks! (It also includes reading and listening practice)
See price on Amazon
GENKI II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
This is the best all around book for beginners learning Japanese in English. I used this in my first year studying Japanese. I found it to be far better and easier to use than the many other books I was using. This is the second book in the series and should cover most of what you need to pass JLPT N4.
See price on Amazon
Kanzen Master Jlpt Grammar N4
This book covers all of the grammar that you need to know to pass the JLPT N4, and includes great practice excercises. One down side though, is it's mostly in Japanese, but that will help you in the long run.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N4 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test
This is the official practice test of the JLPT N4. I highly recommend doing at least 1 practice test before taking the real test.
See price on Amazon
