Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 5: 15/18

いつの()にかSuddenly, Unnoticed, Without noticing, Too soon

Structure

いつのまに + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About いつの間にか

Although a combination of いつ 'when', の, () 'interval', に, and か; いつの()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() may be used instead. This is a similar expression which literally means 'in the time it takes to say あっ'.

Examples

--:--

    オレはみんなからいつの()にかポチと()ばれるようになった。

    Without noticing they have come to call me 'Pochi.'

    いつの()にかもう(いち)(ねん)()ってしまった。

    Without me realizing it, another year has passed (all too soon).

    いつの()にか彼女(かのじょ)はネイティブみたいに(はな)せるようになった。」

    'Without me realizing, her speaking has grown to that of a native.'

    帽子(ぼうし)(かぶ)ってないといつの()にか風邪(かぜ)()く。だからきちんと帽子(ぼうし)(かぶ)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(こども)から()(はな)せばいつの()にか迷子(まいご)になるかもしれない。ご注意(ちゅうい)ください。

    If you take your eyes off of your child, they might get lost without you even noticing. Please be careful.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


    • Offline

        • [AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese

          Page 75

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      いつの間にか – Grammar Discussion