間

aida

JLPT N4 #70 of 131 in N4

While; during; between

Aida indicates a time span or interval, meaning 'while', 'during', or 'between'.

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How to form it

Attach to the plain present or past form for verbs, or to a noun + の. For verbs, use the plain form (dictionary or past tense) with no の needed; for nouns, use noun + の.

What it means

Aida expresses a period during which something happens or a space between two points. When used with time, it often translates as 'while' or 'during'. It can also mean 'between' when referring to physical space or relationships. When the clause before aida describes an ongoing action, it often takes に after aida (間(に)) to mean 'during that time, something happened'.

Example sentences

夏休みの間、毎日泳ぎに行きました。

Natsuyasumi no aida, mainichi oyogi ni ikimashita.

During summer vacation, I went swimming every day.

テレビを見ている間、勉強しないでください。

Terebi o mite iru aida, benkyou shinaide kudasai.

Please don't study while watching TV.

駅と学校の間に、コンビニがあります。

Eki to gakkou no aida ni, konbini ga arimasu.

There is a convenience store between the station and the school.

Don’t confuse it with

間に (aida ni)

間 (aida) describes the whole duration, while 間に (aida ni) focuses on a point or event within that duration. For example, '勉強している間、音楽を聞く' means 'I listen to music while studying' (throughout), but '勉強している間に、電話が来た' means 'The phone came during my studying' (a single event).

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話

When to use it

Neutral and common in both spoken and written Japanese.

Next in the N4 path

71

さすがas one would expect; as is to be expected

72

後でafter ~; later

73

てやるto do for; to do a favor (casual)

74

いらっしゃるto be; to come; to go (polite version)

See the whole Grammar Path →

Questions

What does 間 mean?

While; during; between. Aida indicates a time span or interval, meaning 'while', 'during', or 'between'.

How do you form 間?

Attach to the plain present or past form for verbs, or to a noun + の. For verbs, use the plain form (dictionary or past tense) with no の needed; for nouns, use noun + の.

Example of 間 in a sentence

夏休みの間、毎日泳ぎに行きました。 — During summer vacation, I went swimming every day.

間に (aida ni) — what is the difference?

間 (aida) describes the whole duration, while 間に (aida ni) focuses on a point or event within that duration. For example, '勉強している間、音楽を聞く' means 'I listen to music while studying' (throughout), but '勉強している間に、電話が来た' means 'The phone came during my studying' (a single event).

What JLPT level is 間?

JLPT N4 (upper beginner), number 70 of 131 in Nihoner's learning order for N4.