Structure
Verb[ない]+ うちに + Phrase
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
Rare Kanji
無い
About ないうちに
うちに will be paired with verbs in their ない (negative) form, before the (B) phrase highlights something that 'is done to prevent (A) from happening', or 'happened unfortunately during (A)'.
- こうき君、全然会わないうちに、凄く大きくなったね!Kouki-kun, you have grown so much during the time we haven't met. (Since the last time I saw you)
- また電話をかけ忘れるところだった。忘れないうちに電話しておかなきゃ。I was just about to forget to make a phone call again. I should call before I forget.
- 出かける前にバイオリンの練習をしないといけない。I need to practice playing my violin before I go out.
- 知らないうちに家の前にあるラーメン屋が潰れていた。Without realizing it, the ramen shop in front of my house went out of business.
Synonyms
Examples
気づかないうちに、列車が出発してしまっていた。
Without realizing it, the train had started to depart (without me).
私が知らないうちに、友達が離婚していた。
Before I knew it, my friend was divorced.
まだ親しくならないうちに、同僚が辞めてしまった。
Before we became close, my co-worker quit.
暗くならないうちに帰って来なさいよ。
Come back home before it gets dark.
飽きられないうちに、新商品を出した方がいいな。
I think we should introduce a new product before the people lose interest.
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ないうちに – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
Pushindawood
About 3 years ago
Thank you for point these out to us! I have updated the related grammar section to include 前に and have added a note about it in the information section on the Meaning page. I have also removed the redundant resource listing and added the tanos link that you provided. Cheers!
We love you too!
en_velours
About 2 years ago
I think there’s a mistake in this example sentence,
mrnoone
About 2 years ago
@en_velours
HeyThat’s actually my error, I changed sentence to ひめる because it sounds more natural that way, but forgot to change the word for conjugation
It should be all good now.
Sorry for the inconvenience
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