while ~, during ~

Intermediate

20-25 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

間 = throughout duration, 間に = within that duration.

[Verb/い-adj/な-adj + な/Noun + の] + 間/間に

夏休みの間、旅行に行きます。

Natsuyasumi no aida, ryokou ni ikimasu.

I will travel during summer vacation.

彼が寝ている間に、掃除をした。

Kare ga nete iru aida ni, souji wo shita.

I cleaned while he was sleeping.

間 = continuous throughout, 間に = something happens within that time.

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Distinguish between 間 and 間に carefully.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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