6.0 KiB
Time: during
間
V (dictionary)
N + の
+ 間
{間|あいだ} means "while" or "during". Used to express something that is done for the whole period of time.
[!info] Example 電車に{乗|の}っている==間==、ゲームをしてた。 While I was on the train, I was playing a game.
Can also be used to talk about a distance between two physical places or the time between two things.
[!info] Example １時から９じまでの==間==、{寝|ね}ます。 I sleep between 1AM and 9AM.
間に
V (casual, non-past)
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + の
+ 間に
A first meaning is similar to {間|あいだ} (while), but with intentionality.
[!info] Example 電車に{乗|の}っている==間に==、本を読みました。 While I was on the train, I read a book.
A second meaning is a statement of something that happened during a time period, independently of your actions. Contrary to 間, it doesn't include the whole time period. So 間に means that at a point during the time period, something happened.
[!info] Example {夜|よる}の==間に==、{隣|となり}の木が{落|お}ちていた。 During the night, the tree next door fell.
ながら
V-ます
+ ながら + ...
Means "while", "simultaneously". The difference with ついでに is that here the main action is the second one. Happens at the same time.
[!info] Example {歩|ある}き==ながら=={電話|でん|わ}を見ています。 While walking, I'm looking at my phone.
ついでに
V (dictionary)
V (た)
N + の
+ ついでに
Means "while", "at the same time". The difference with ながら is that here the main action is the first one. An opportunity of doing something during the occurrence of the first one (but not for the entire time).
[!info] Example スーパーに行く==ついでに==、おにぎりを{買|か}ってくれませんか。 While you're going to the supermarket, could you bring onigiri?
と同時に (NEW!)
V (る)
い-Adj
な-Adj + である
N
+ と同時に
と{同時|どうじ}に means "at the same time as", "while". Contrary to ながら, it is used for something that happens at a precise moment, not during the whole time.
[!info] Example {電車|でんしゃ}に{乗|の}っている==と同時に==、おじいさんが{落|お}ちた。 While on the train, an old man fell off.
中
{中|ちゅう}・{中|じゅう} means different things depending on its pronunciation:
- ちゅう is used when pointing a specific time: "during", "at some point".
- じゅう is used for the entire time or area: "through", "within", "before it ends".
[!info] Example {午後|ごご}==中==に{会議|かいぎ}がある。 There is a meeting in the afternoon (ちゅう).
{今年|ことし}==中==にスウェーデンに行きたい。 I want to go to Sweden before the end of this year (じゅう).
うちに
V (casual)
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + の
+ うちに
Means "while". The nuance is that the time is optimal and should be taken advantage of.
[!info] Example {晴|は}れる==うちに=={散歩|さんぽ}しましょう。 Let's take a walk while the weather is nice.
限り (NEW!)
V (る・た・ない・ている・)
N + である
+ 限り
{限|かぎ}り means "as long as", "while". Also means "limited to".
[!info] Example この{映画|えいが}は{来週|らいしゅう}==限り=={劇場|げきじょう}で{上映|じょうえい}されます。 This movie will be in theaters the next week only.
{仕事|しごと}を{真面目|まじめ}にする==限り==、{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}。 As long as you're serious doing your job, it will be fine.
途中で・途中に
V (dictionary)
N + の
+ 途中で・途中に
{途中|とちゅう}で・{途中|とちゅう}に means "in the middle of", "on the way".
[!info] Example {帰|かえ}る==途中で=={自動販売機|じ|どう|はん|ばい|き}で{飲|のみ}み{物|もの}を{買|か}った。 On the way home, I bought a drink from the vending machine.
ているところ
Means "in the process/middle of doing". See TeF (2) - manner of doing#ているところ.
最中に
V (ている)
N + の
+ 最中に
{最中|さいちゅう}に means "in the middle of". Happens during something else, interrupting or disturbing it.
[!info] Example {運転|うんてん}していた==最中に=={鹿|しか}が{現|あらわ}れた。 While I was driving, a deer appeared.
しばらく
Means "for a while", "for now".
[!info] Example ==しばらく==お{待|ま}ちください。 Please wait for a moment.