During A
The phrase that follows 間 is a continuous action that continues during the period/action A. This differs from 間に, which shows a single, instantaneous action that occurs before the time frame ends.
- During A The phrase that follows 間 is a continuous action that continues during the period/action A. This differs from 間に, which shows a single, instantaneous action that occurs before the time frame ends.
- During A (before A is finished/over) The phrase that follows 間に is a single action that occurs during A; specifically, before A finishes. This differs from 間, which shows a continuous action that occurs during the entirety of the action A.
28
私が夕飯を作る間、弟はテレビを見て居ました。
My brother was watching TV while I was cooking dinner.
0
27
春休みの間、毎日友達と釣りに行きました。
I went fishing with my friend every day during the spring break.
0
22
校長先生が話して居る間、其の生徒はずっと寝て居ました。
The student slept the entire time the principal was talking.
0
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Similar grammar
~ながら's meaning/usage is very similar to ~間. While ながら requires the subject/actors in the first and second half of the sentence to be the same thing, 間 does not have this restriction.
Related Expressions
時
Where this grammar is found
Grammar usage notes
~間
ある時間ずっと、動作や状態が続く
~間に
ある時間の中の、一部の短い時間に何かが起こる
ある時間ずっと、動作や状態が続く
~間に
ある時間の中の、一部の短い時間に何かが起こる
Questions/Discussion
This grammar point was on N4 exam this year (2026).
During A (before A is finished/over)
The phrase that follows 間に is a single action that occurs during A; specifically, before A finishes. This differs from 間, which shows a continuous action that occurs during the entirety of the action A.
- During A The phrase that follows 間 is a continuous action that continues during the period/action A. This differs from 間に, which shows a single, instantaneous action that occurs before the time frame ends.
- During A (before A is finished/over) The phrase that follows 間に is a single action that occurs during A; specifically, before A finishes. This differs from 間, which shows a continuous action that occurs during the entirety of the action A.
21
春休みの間に、友達を訪ねたいと思います。
I am going to visit my friend at sometime during the spring break (before the spring break is over).
0
18
校長先生が話して居る間に、其の生徒は逃げ出しました。
The student ran away sometime while the principal was talking.
0
12
ケイトは待って居る間にボブとメアリに会った。
While Kate was waiting, she saw Bob and Mary.
0
23
其の間に彼女は泣き出した。
In the meantime she began to cry.
0
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Where this grammar is found
Grammar usage notes
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Questions/Discussion
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