while, during, before

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates doing something while condition holds.

[Verb dictionary/ない form/い-adj/Noun + の] + うちに

若いうちに、いろいろ経験したい。

Wakai uchi ni, iroiro keiken shitai.

I want to experience many things while I am young.

忘れないうちに、メモしておこう。

Wasurenai uchi ni, memo shite okou.

Let me make a note before I forget.

Implies limited time window.

～ているうちに

while doing, in the course of

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Suggests urgency or opportunity.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.