Structure
いつのまにか + Phrase
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About いつの間にか
Although a combination of いつ 'when', の, 間 'interval', に, and か; いつの間にか is a set expression that is used as a stand-alone adverb to mean 'suddenly', or 'without noticing'. Literally, it just highlights an unknown interval within which something occurred, as seen by the question marking particle, か.
Fun-fact
Coming mainly from the inclusion か, this grammar pattern often carries the nuance of surprise. When you want to convey the same feeling without the nuance of surprise, あっという間に may be used instead. This is a similar expression which literally means 'in the time it takes to say あっ'.
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Examples
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オレはみんなからいつの間にかポチと呼ばれるようになった。
Without noticing they have come to call me 'Pochi.'
いつの間にかもう1年が経ってしまった。
Without me realizing it, another year has passed (all too soon).
「いつの間にか彼女はネイティブみたいに話せるようになった。」
'Without me realizing, her speaking has grown to that of a native.'
帽子を被ってないといつの間にか風邪を引く。だからきちんと帽子を被って。
If you do not wear a hat, you will catch a cold before you know it. That's why you should put on a hat.
あなたの子供から目を離せばいつの間にか迷子になるかもしれない。ご注意ください。
If you take your eyes off of your child, they might get lost without you even noticing. Please be careful.
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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