Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 13/16

～ている間(あいだ)にWhile, During the time that ~

Structure

Verb［ている］+ 間(あいだ)に

Details

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About ているあいだに

When (A) ている is paired with 間(あいだ)に (B), it expresses that '(B) is happening/happened within the timeframe of (A)'. These events do not need to be related in any specific way, but the (B) action must happen somewhere within the duration of (A). This construction translates naturally as 'during the time that (A), (B)'.

ている間(あいだ)に will often be used when the (B) action is somehow beyond the control of the speaker. However, this is not always the case.

Fun Fact

間(あいだ) literally means an 'interval', and therefore highlights the (A) event as being the 'whole' span of time, within which (B) happened/will happen at some point.

Related

Examples

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    妻(つま)が寝(ね)ている間(あいだ)に、私(わたし)は好(す)きなことができる。

    While my wife is sleeping, I can do what I like.

    サッカーをしている間(あいだ)に電話(でんわ)がかかってきました。

    I got a phone call while playing soccer.

    勉強(べんきょう)をしている間(あいだ)にお腹(なか)が空(す)いてきた。

    I became hungry while studying.

    料理(りょうり)をしている間(あいだ)に子(こ)ども達(たち)が帰(かえ)って来(き)た。

    While I was cooking, my kids came home.

    パンを焼(や)いている間(あいだ)にお皿(さら)を出(だ)した。

    While I was toasting some bread, I took out a plate.

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