Grammar › N4 · 07 Time, phases & degree

〜あいだ・〜あいだに: while; during

N4 · 07 Time, phases & degree

あいだ means during the whole time something continues, and あいだに means at some point within that time.

Verb ている/dictionary form, noun + の, adjective + あいだ(に). 寝ているあいだ (the whole time asleep) vs 寝ているあいだに (something happens while asleep). Use あいだ with a continuing action, あいだに with a one-time action.

Examples

子こどもが寝ねているあいだ、本ほんを読よんでいました。

I was reading a book while the child was asleep.

留守るすのあいだに、荷物にもつが届とどいた。

A package arrived while I was out.

Study 〜あいだ・〜あいだに in the course →