間 | Grammar | lingaku

Structure

[verb て-form] + いる + 間 [verb (dictionary form)] + 間 [noun] + の + 間 [na-adj] + な + 間 [i-adj] + 間 [noun] + と + [noun] + の + 間

Description

間 means "while" or "during": the main clause goes on for the whole of the stretch that 間 marks. A verb in front of it is a continuing action in the ～ている form or a state such as いる; a noun takes の, a な-adjective な.

、。

While the child was sleeping, I was reading a book.

、。

I swam every day during the summer holidays.

、。

The whole time I was in Japan, I lived in a dorm.

間 or 間に

間 alone means the main action fills the whole period, so the main verb is usually a continuing one: ～ていた, often with ずっと. ま間に puts a single event somewhere inside the period.

、。

I watched TV the whole time my mother was out.

、。

While my mother was out, I cleaned the room.

× 子供が寝ている間、宿題を終えた → 子供が寝ている間に、宿題を終えた

Between

With two nouns joined by と, 間 means "between", in space or in time. Where something is takes に.

。

There is a convenience store between the station and the school.

。

Nagoya is between Tokyo and Osaka.

。

Please come between one and two.

Usage notes

These go beyond "while" and "between".

Set phrases

means "the other day". is "for a long time", and "for a while".

、。

The other day I went to a new restaurant.

、。

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long.

Between people

間 also covers a relationship, or a group of people something is known among.

。

It is popular among young people.

きごう？

What happened between the two of them?

Examples

、。

Please be quiet while the child is sleeping.

、。

While I was in Japan, I studied a lot of Japanese.

、。

During summer vacation, I was working a part-time job.

、。

While riding the train, I listen to music.

、。

While the teacher was explaining, I took notes.

、。

It seems someone came while I was away.

。

Between Tokyo and Yokohama is about 30 minutes by train.

、。

I'm sorry for making you wait for a long time.

、。

While you're young, you should have various experiences.

、。

While it's raining, you shouldn't go outside.

、。

I was cleaning during the time until my friend arrived.

、。

The other day, I went to a new restaurant.

References

While I 間imabi.org