Time: during
間
V (dictionary)
N + の
+ 間
間 means “while” or “during”. Used to express something that is done for the whole period of time.
Example
電車に乗っている間、ゲームをしてた。 While I was on the train, I was playing a game.
Can also be used to talk about a distance between two physical places or the time between two things.
Example
1時から9じまでの間、寝ます。 I sleep between 1AM and 9AM.
間に
V (casual, non-past)
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + の
+ 間に
A first meaning is similar to 間 (while), but with intentionality.
Example
電車に乗った間に、本を読みました。 While I was on the train, I read a book.
A second meaning is a statement of something that happened during a time period, independently of your actions. Contrary to 間, it doesn’t include the whole time period. So 間に means that at a point during the time period, something happened.
Example
夜の間に、隣の木が落ちていた。 During the night, the tree next door fell.
ながら
V-ます
+ ながら + ...
Means “while”, “simultaneously”. The difference with ついでに is that here the main action is the second one.
Example
歩きながら電話を見ています。 While walking, I’m looking at my phone.
ついでに
V (dictionary)
V (た)
N + の
+ ついでに
Means “while”, “at the same time”. The difference with ながら is that here the main action is the first one.
Example
スーパーに行くついでに、おにぎりを買ってくれませんか。 While you’re going to the supermarket, could you bring onigiri?
中
中・中 means different things depending on its pronunciation:
- ちゅう is used when pointing a specific time: “during”, “at some point”.
- じゅう is used for the entire time or area: “through”, “within”, “before it ends”.
Example
午後中に会議がある。 There is a meeting in the afternoon (ちゅう).
今年中にスウェーデンに行きたい。 I want to go to Sweden before the end of this year (じゅう).
うちに
V (casual)
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + の
+ うちに
Means “while”. The nuance is that the time is optimal and should be taken advantage of.
Example
晴れるうちに散歩しましょう。 Let’s take a walk while the weather is nice.
途中で・途中に
V (dictionary)
N + の
+ 途中で・途中に
途中で・途中に means “in the middle of”, “on the way”.
Example
帰る途中で自動販売機で飲み物を買った。 On the way home, I bought a drink from the vending machine.
ているところ
Means “in the process/middle of doing”. See ているところ.
最中に
V (ている)
N + の
+ 最中に
最中に means “in the middle of”. Happens during something else, interrupting or disturbing it.
Example
運転していた最中に鹿が現れた。 While I was driving, a deer appeared.
しばらく
Means “for a while”, “for now”.
Example
しばらくお待ちください。 Please wait for a moment.