の間に
While, During, Between, Period
Structure
［い］Adjective + 間に
［な］Adjective + な + 間に
Noun + の + 間に
Explanation
間に is a grammar pattern used to express that a certain event or action (B) takes place within the time frame or physical space of another state or action (A). This structure is formed by combining the noun 間, meaning 'interval' or 'space', with the case marking particle に.
To form this grammar point, 間に is placed directly after verbs and い-Adjectives in their plain form. When used with nouns, the particle の is needed, and with な-Adjectives, な is required before 間に.
- シャワーを浴びている間に電話をしないでください。Please don't call me while I'm taking a shower.
- 暖かい間に公園へ散歩に行きましょう。Let's go for a walk in the park while it's warm.
- 静かな間に、宿題をしてしまおう。While it's quiet, let's get our homework done.
- 机と本棚の間にカバンを置いてしまった。I accidentally left my bag between the desk and the bookshelf.
When defining a specific range, 間に is frequently used with まで to specify that something occurs 'between' two points in time or space.
- 月曜日から水曜日までの間にこの仕事を終わらせてください。Please finish this work sometime between Monday and Wednesday.
- 午前１０時から１１時までの間に郵便が届くはずです。The mail should arrive sometime between 10 and 11 AM.
A key feature of 間に is that the second event (B) typically happens at a single moment within the duration of (A), rather than continuously throughout it. This nuance comes from the kanji 間, which signifies an 'interval' or a 'gap'.
- 旅行の間に一度だけ雨が降った。It only rained once during the trip.
- ドアと壁の間に指をはさんで、すごく痛かった。I caught my finger between the door and the wall, and it was very painful.
Examples
赤ちゃんちゃんが寝ている間に、洗濯をしました。
I did the laundry while the baby was sleeping.
道が静かな間に、散歩しましょう。
Let's go for a walk while the streets are quiet.
夏休みの間に、沖縄へ行きたいです。
I want to go to Okinawa during summer vacation.
明るい間に、買い物に行っておこう。
I should go shopping while it's still light out.
私が留守の間に、誰か来ましたか？
Did anyone come over while I was away?
駅と図書館の間に、新しいカフェができた。
A new cafe opened up between the station and the library.
パスタを茹でている間に、ソースを準備してください。
Please prepare the sauce while the pasta is boiling.
両親が旅行に行っている間に、家でパーティーをした。
I had a party at my house while my parents were away on a trip.
しばらく見ない間に、弟の背がすごく伸びた。
My younger brother got so much taller in the short time I hadn't seen him.
子供たちが公園で遊んでいる間に、雨が降り出した。
It started raining while the children were playing in the park.
A：「その怪我どうしたの？」
B：「試合の間に、転んでしまったんです。」
A: 'What happened with that injury?'
B: 'I fell down during the match.'
今週の水曜日から金曜日までの間に、レポートを提出してください。
Please submit the report sometime between Wednesday and Friday of this week.