Structure
Verb[ている]+ うちに
[い]Adjective + うちに
[な]Adjective + な + うちに
Noun + の + うちに
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Standard
Rare Kanji
裡に
About うちに
When うち, (sometimes seen using the kanji 内, or 裡) is paired with the case marking particle に, it expresses a period/space 'within' which something else will/should happen/exist. It quite often (but not always) carries the nuance of (A) being the 'best', or the 'optimal' time/space within which (B) could occur/exist. In English, うちに can simply be translated as 'while', or 'during'.
うちに may be paired with the dictionary or ている form of verbs, the plain form of い-Adjectives, nouns followed by の, or な-Adjectives that are followed by な.
Unlike 間に, うちに expresses something that can happen/exist anywhere 'within' the span of (A), and is therefore non-specific as to where (B) is located.
Fun Fact
The kanji 裡 refers literally to the inner walls/lining of something, and anything that is enclosed within that space. This can be thought of as where the 'non-specificity' of うち comes from, in regard to where within that space something is.
Related
Examples
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近い内に連絡します。
I'll be in touch before long.
鉄は熱い内に打て。
Strike while the iron is hot.
授業を受けている内に、宿題を完成させた。
I was able to finish my homework while taking a class.
赤ちゃんは食べている内に寝てしまった。
The baby fell asleep while eating.
日本にいる内に東京に行ってみたい。
While I am in Japan, I want to see Tokyo.
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Difference between 前に and うちに
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うちに
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 208
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 512
Tobira
Page 95
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