ているあいだに | Grammar

Structure

[verb て-form] + いるあいだに [verb て-form] + いたあいだに (past tense)

Polite form: [verb て-form] + いますあいだに

Description

The grammar structure ～ているあいだに is used to express that something happens during the time that another action is ongoing. It combines the continuous form 〜～ている with あいだに ("during / while"), creating the meaning "while (someone) is doing ~, (something else happens)."

The first clause (before あいだに) describes an ongoing action or state, and the second clause describes an event that occurs at some point during that time.

、。

While my mother was shopping, my father made dinner.

、。

While the child was sleeping, I cleaned.

あいだに vs. あいだ

あいだに and あいだ (without に) work differently.

あいだに emphasizes that a specific event occurs at some point during the duration. The event in the second clause does not last the entire time.
ともだち友達がまっている待っているあいだに、でんわがかかってきた電話がかかってきた。
While my friend was waiting, a phone call came.
あいだ (without に) implies that the second action continues throughout the entire duration.
ともだち友達がまっている待っているあいだ、ずっとほん本をよんでいた読んでいた。
The whole time my friend was waiting, I was reading a book.

Usage notes

The subject of the first clause and the subject of the second clause are often different. When the same person is doing both actions, the sentence emphasizes that one thing happened in the middle of the other.

、。

While I was taking a shower, someone knocked on the door.

This pattern can also be used with states rather than actions:

、。

While I was away, a package arrived.

Examples

、。

While the child was sleeping, I did the laundry.

、。

While my mother was cooking, my little brother ate the cake.

、。

While I was watching TV, the cat climbed onto the table.

、。

While the teacher was explaining, he fell asleep.

、。

While I was waiting for my friend, I had a coffee.

、。

While I was on a trip, I lost my house key.

、。

While I was riding the train, I finished reading a book.

、。

While I was in the bath, the phone rang.

、らしい。

It seems a burglar broke in while I was away.

、。

While my older brother was studying, I tidied up the room.

、。

While I was taking a walk, it started to rain.

、。

While she was shopping, I was waiting in the parking lot.

References

ているあいだにBunpro