In English, we use words like “while,” “until,” or “before” when describing when an event occurs relative to a period of time. If you want to describe when an action took place relative to a time period in Japanese, you’ll need to endings like these:
| Ending | Translation |
|---|---|
〜間 Transcription: aida | while, during |
〜間に Transcription: aida ni | while, during |
〜うちに Transcription: uchi ni | while… lasts, while… is still… |
〜まで Transcription: made | until |
〜までに Transcription: made ni | before, by the time that… |
In Japanese, the clause marked by one of these time markers will always come first, optionally followed by a comma.
- ✅友達を待っている間、漫画を読んでいた。Transcription: Tomodachi o matte iru aida, manga o yonde ita.Translation: While waiting for my friend, I was reading manga.
- ❌漫画を読んでいた友達を待っている間。Transcription: Manga o yonde ita tomodachi o matte iru aida.Translation: I was reading manga while waiting for my friend.
In this post, we’ll look at how and when to use each of these expressions, and some variations on them as well. Ready to have a look? Let’s dive in!
“While” or “during”: 〜間 [aida] and 〜間に [aida ni]
The endings 〜間 transcribed aida and 〜間に transcribed aida ni mark an action that happens “while” something else happens or “during” a certain period of time.
- 友達を待っている間、漫画を読んでいた。Transcription: Tomodachi o matte iru aida, manga o yonde ita.Translation: While waiting for my friend, I was reading manga.
- ルームメイトが出かけている間に、部屋を掃除する。Transcription: Rūmumeito ga dekakete iru aida ni, heya o sōji suru.Translation: While my roommate is out, I will clean the room.
〜間 [aida] vs. 〜間に [aida ni]
But though they’re similar in meaning and are both built on the formal noun 間 transcribed aidameaning between, there are some differences between the two in meaning and usage. Let’s have a look!
Use 〜間 transcribed aida for “while” when main action or state continues during the whole time you’re describing.
母が買い物にいっている間、ゲームをしていた。Transcription: Haha ga kaimono ni itte iru aida, gēmu o shite ita.Translation: While my mother was out shopping, I was playing a game.I was playing a game the whole time my mother was away.Often, the main action or state will be in the te-iru form or will be marked by an adverb like ずっと transcribed zuttomeaning for a long time.
te-iru form✅僕が歌っている間、彼はずっと笑っていた。Transcription: Boku ga utatte iru aida, kare wa zutto waratte ita.Translation: He kept laughing while I was singing.Importantly, though, you can’t use 〜間 transcribed aida when the main action happens instantly, since it’s supposed to last for the whole period of time.
instantaneous action❌留守にしている間、宅急便が来た。Transcription: Rusu ni shite iru aida, takkyūbin ga kita.Translation: Intended: While I was away, the delivery service came.Use 〜間に transcribed aida ni for “while” when the main action or state happens at some time during the period you’re describing
母が買い物にいっている間に、ゲームをした。Transcription: Haha ga kaimono ni itte irui aida ni, gēmu o shita.Translation: While my mother was out shopping, I played a game.I played a game at some point while my mother was away.It is totally fine to use 〜間に transcribed aida ni when the action is instantaneous:
✅留守にしている間に宅急便が来た。Transcription: Rusu ni shite iru aida ni, takkyūbin ga kita.Translation: While I was away, the delivery service came.However, we usually wouldn’t use 〜間に transcribed aida ni with an action marked as continuing for some time, though.
❌僕が歌っている間に、彼はずっと笑っていた。Transcription: Boku ga utatte iru aida ni, kare wa zutto waratte ita.Translation: Intended: He kept laughing while I was singing.
In the next section, we’ll look at a lot more examples. See if you can spot these differences there too!
What do 〜間 [aida] and 〜間に [aida ni] attach to?
Both endings can attach to the following types of phrases:
a noun + の transcribed no
noun + の [no]夏の間、ずっとアルバイトをしていた。Transcription: Natsu no aida, zutto arubaito o shite ita.Translation: I had been doing a part-time job for the summer.留守の間に泥棒が入った。Transcription: Rusu no aida ni dorobō ga haitta.Translation: A thief broke in while (I was) away.the plain form of a verb (non-past, affirmative)
plain form学校にいる間は、携帯電話の使用は禁止されている。Transcription: Gakkō ni iru aida wa, keitai denwa no shiyō wa kinshi sarete iru.Translation: Cell phone use is prohibited while (being) at school.日本にいる間に友達と旅行した。Transcription: Nihon ni iru aida ni tomodachi to ryokō shita.Translation: I traveled with my friend while (I was) in Japan.the plain form of a verb (non-past, affirmative)
plain form学校にいる間は、携帯電話の使用は禁止されている。Transcription: Gakkō ni iru aida wa, keitai denwa no shiyō wa kinshi sarete iru.Translation: Cell phone use is prohibited while (being) at school.日本にいる間に友達と旅行した。Transcription: Nihon ni iru aida ni tomodachi to ryokō shita.Translation: I traveled with my friend while (I was) in Japan.the plain negative form of a verb (non-past)
plain negative formバスを利用できない間は、他の交通手段を考えなければいけない。Transcription: Basu o riyō dekinai aida wa, hoka no kōtsū shudan o kangaenakereba ikenai.Translation: While I can’t use the bus, I will need to consider other means of transportation.その建物は、私が気づかない間に完成していた。Transcription: Sono tatemono wa, watashi ga kizukanai aida ni, kansei shite ita.Translation: That building was completed before I knew it. (lit. while I was not aware of it)a te-iru form
te-iru form母が出かけている間、昼寝をしていた。Transcription: Haha ga dekakete iru aida, hirune o shite ita.Translation: I was taking a nap while my mother was out.ルームメイトが出かけている間に、部屋を掃除する。Transcription: Rūmumeito ga dekakete iru aida ni, heya o sōji suru.Translation: I will clean the room while my roommate is out.an i-adjective
i-adjective子供が小さい間は、働かないことにした。Transcription: Kodomo ga chiisai aida wa, hatarakanai koto ni shita.Translation: I decided not to work while my children are small.セールで安い間に、シャンプーを買いだめする。Transcription: Sēru de yasui aida ni, shanpū o kaidame suru.Translation: I will stock up on shampoo while (it’s) on sale and cheap.a na-adjective + な transcribed na
na-adjectiveメンバーシップが有効な間は、できるだけスポーツジムを利用する。Transcription: Menbāshippu ga yūkō na aida wa, dekiru dake supōtsu jimu o riyō suru.Translation: I will use the gym as much as possible while my membership (is) valid.祖母が元気な間に、たくさん話をしておきたい。Transcription: Sobo ga genki na aida ni, takusan hanashi o shite oki tai.Translation: I want to talk with my grandmother a lot while she (is still) healthy.
How to read 〜間に: “aida ni” or “ma ni”?
The 間 in 〜間に can sometimes be also read as transcribed ma rather than transcribed aida. Where transcribed aida ni is more common in everyday speech, the reading transcribed ma ni sounds rather formal and old-fashioned.
✅ Rusu no aida ni takkyūbin ga kita.
Though in cases above, the main difference between the two is in the formality, there are some cases where only transcribed aida ni should be used:
To mark an action with a long duration
To mark an action with a clear, set, or fixed start and end
For example, only the transcribed aida ni reading sounds natural in the sentence below:
❓Haruyasumi no ma ni Tōkyō dizuniirando e iku.
There are, however, some fixed expressions which must be read transcribed ma ni. Here are some of them:
- 知らぬ間にTranscription: shiranu ma niTranslation: without knowing
- あっという間にTranscription: atto iu ma niTranslation: in a flash
- 束の間Transcription: tsuka no maTranslation: short moment
- いつの間にかTranscription: itsuno ma ni kaTranslation: before you know it
- 間をあけてTranscription: ma o aketeTranslation: leave a gap
- 間をとってTranscription: ma o totteTranslation: take a moment
“While it lasts”: 〜うちに [uchi ni]
The expression 〜うちに transcribed uch ni is also sometimes translated as “while” or “during,” however this ending is used a little more like “while [a situation] lasts.” This ending carries an implication that action is taken before time runs out.
Let’s look at how to use this, and some related endings, in sentences!
How to use 〜うちに [uchi ni]
As with the endings we saw above, the expression marked by 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni should always come before the main clause of the sentence. The ending 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni follows a phrase describing a situation with some duration, and the main action happens while that situation lasts.
The ending itself can attach to…
a noun + の transcribed no
noun + の [no]今のうちに、部屋を片付ける。Transcription: Ima no uchi ni heya o katazukeru.Translation: I will clean my room while the present situation lasts (lit. while now).the dictionary form of a verb
dictionary formジョンさんが東京にいるうちに、スカイツリーに行こう。Transcription: Jon-san ga Tōkyō ni iru uchi ni, Sukaitsurii ni ikō.Translation: Let’s go to Skytree while John is in Tokyo.a te-iru form
te-iru form赤ちゃんが寝ているうちに、昼ご飯を作っておいた。Transcription: Akachan ga nete iru uchi ni, hirugohan o tsukutte oita.Translation: I cooked lunch while the baby was sleeping.an i-adjective
i-adjective若いうちに、色々なことにチャレンジしておいたほうがいいよ。Transcription: Wakai uchi ni, iroiro na koto ni charenji shite oita hō ga ii yo.Translation: It's better to try different things while you are young.a na-adjective + な transcribed na
na-adjective + な [na]桜がきれいなうちに、花見をしよう。Transcription: Sakura ga kirei na uchi ni, hanami o shiyō.Translation: Let's have a cherry blossom viewing party while the cherry blossoms are beautiful.
How to use 〜ないうちに [nai uchi ni]
The ending 〜ないうちに transcribed nai uchi ni is used to indicate that something is done “while [a change] has still not happened.” It’s technically composed of a negative verb + 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni, but it’s usually translated into English as a positive: “before [change happens].”
Let’s look at some more examples! Notice that this ending can attach both to negative plain forms and to the negative of a te-iru form.
- 忘れないうちに、大切なことをメモしておきます。Transcription: Wasurenai uchi ni, taisetsu na koto o memo shite okimasu.Translation: I make a note of important things before I forget them.“while I still haven’t forgotten…”
- 気がつかないうちに、雨が降っていた。Transcription: Ki ga tsukanai uchi ni, ame ga futte ita.Translation: Before I knew it, it was raining.“while I still didn’t know it…”
- 子供が見ていないうちに、クリスマスのプレゼントを出そう。Transcription: Kodomo ga mite inai uchi ni, kurisumasu no purezento o dasō.Translation: Let’s put out Christmas presents before the kids see (us).“while the kids still don’t see…”
- 乾いていないうちに引き出しにしまったら、洗濯物がカビてしまうよ。Transcription: Kawaite inai uchi ni hikidashi ni shimattara, sentaku mono ga kabite shimau yo.Translation: Your laundry will get moldy if you put it in the drawer before it’s dry.“while it still isn’t dry”
〜うちに [uchi ni] vs. 〜間に [aida ni]
〜うちに transcribed uchi niand 〜間に transcribed aida ni are both most often translated as “while” and they’re both used when the main action is not an ongoing situation. So what’s the difference?
Both 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni and 〜間に transcribed aida ni can be used when they represent the length of time a certain state or action lasts.
- ✅テレビを見ているうちに寝てしまった。Transcription: Terebi o mite iru uchi ni nete shimatta.Translation: I fell asleep while watching TV.
- ✅テレビを見ている間に寝てしまった。Transcription: Terebi o mite iru aida ni nete shimatta.Translation: I fell asleep while watching TV.
If it might not be easy to define the start and end of a situation, use 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni. 〜間に transcribed aida ni cannot be used unless the moment when the situation starts and ends can be easily recognized.
- ✅あたたかいうちに飲んでください。Transcription: Atatakai uchi ni nonde kudasai.Translation: Please drink (it) while it’s warm.
- ❌あたたかい間に飲んでください。Transcription: Atatakai aida ni nonde kudasai.When did it start being warm? Can we point to the moment when it stops being warm?
If you want to imply that the opportunity to complete the main action is running out, use 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni.
- ✅若いうちに色々なことにチャレンジしたい。Transcription: Wakai uchi ni iroiro na koto ni charenji shitai.Translation: I want to try various things while I’m young.If I don’t do these things while I’m young, I might not have the chance or it might not be as rewarding.
- ❓若い間に色々なことにチャレンジしたい。Transcription: Wakai aida ni iroiro na koto ni charenji shitai.Translation: I want to try various things while I’m young.This sounds like you could do those things any time, and you just happened to choose to do them while you are young.
The end point: 〜まで [made] and 〜までに [made ni]
When discussing time, 〜まで transcribed made and 〜までに transcribed made ni are used to mark the end point of an action or situation. Both endings attach to the dictionary form of a verb.
Verb
dictionary form
However, there is a slight difference in meaning between the two.
〜まで transcribed made marks the stopping point of an ongoing situation. It is usually translated as “until…”
dictionary form家に帰り着くまで雨が降り続いていた。Transcription: Ie ni kaeri tsuku made ame ga furitsuzuite ita.Translation: It continued to rain until I got home.The rain was ongoing, but stopped when I got home.先生が答えを教えてくれるまで、帰りません。Transcription: Sensei ga kotae o oshiete kureru made, kaerimasen.Translation: I won’t go home until the teacher tells me the answer.I am currently not going home, but that will change when the teacher answers my question.〜までに transcribed made ni marks the deadline by which something must happen. It’s usually translated as “before…” or “by the time…”
- 娘が帰るまでには家に着いていないといけない。Transcription: Musume ga kaeru made ni wa ie ni tsuite inai to ikenai.Translation: I have to be home by the time my daughter comes home.My daughter’s arrival marks the last moment I might start being at home.
- 彼女が結婚を決めるまでには、まだ時間がかかりそうだ。Transcription: Kanojo ga kekkon o kimeru made ni wa, mada jikan ga kakarisō da.Translation: It looks like it will take some time before she decides to get married.The moment she decides to get married marks the last moment during which she is “taking time.”
You can’t use 〜までに transcribed made ni to mark the endpoint of a long-term situation.
ongoing situation❌あなたがご飯を食べ終わるまでにここで待っています。Transcription: Anata ga gohan o tabe owaru made ni koko de matte imasu.Translation: (Intended) I will be waiting here for you until you finish eating.
To sum up
In this post, we looked at five essential markers that we use to mark the time period during which something happens in Japanese: 〜間 transcribed aida, 〜間に transcribed aida ni, 〜うちに transcribed uchi ni, 〜まで transcribed made, and 〜までに transcribed made ni. Just remember the meanings for each!
- 〜間Transcription: aidaTranslation: while, during (lasts for the whole duration)
- 〜間にTranscription: aida niTranslation: while, during (happens at some point in the period)
- 〜うちにTranscription: uchi niTranslation: while… lasts, while… is still…
- 〜までTranscription: madeTranslation: until
- 〜までにTranscription: made niTranslation: before, by the time that…
Also, don’t forget that the clause marked by these expressions always comes before the main action of the sentence!
If you would like to test your knowledge, you can practice these skills with this sheet of Japanese time period expression activities. Happy learning!
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