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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 18

Structure of ~ている間(あいだ)に:

Verb[ている]+ (あいだ)

Details about ~ている間(あいだ)に:

When (A) ている is paired with (あいだ) (B), it expresses that '(B) is happening/happened within the timeframe of (A)'. These events do not need to be related in any specific way, but the (B) action must happen somewhere within the duration of (A). This construction translates naturally as 'during the time that (A), (B)'.
  • ねえ、(かぞ)ている(あいだ)(はな)かけるな。
    Hey, don't talk to me while I'm counting.
  • 荷物(にもつ)(はこ)でいる(あいだ)(ころ)怪我(けが)
    I tripped and hurt myself when I was carrying luggage.
ている(あいだ) will often be used when the (B) action is somehow beyond the control of the speaker. However, this is not always the case.
  • 旅行(りょこう)()ている(あいだ)(いえ)泥棒(どろぼう)(はい)
    While I was on a trip, a burglar came into my house.
~ている間(あいだ)に

Usage Notes for ~ている間(あいだ)に:

Synonyms for ~ている間(あいだ)に:

ながら
While ~ing, During, As
うちに
While, During
ている①
Is, Am, Are (~ing)
~ところに・~ところへ
At the time, When, While, Timing
とき
When, At the time of
つつある
-ing, Be -ing
ているところだ
In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
の間に
While, During, Between, Period
During, While, Throughout, In the process of
ついでに
While you are at it, On the occasion

Example of ~ている間(あいだ)に

(つま)()ている(あいだ)(わたし)()ことができる

While my wife is sleeping, I can do what I like.

サッカーている(あいだ)電話(でんわ)かかってきました

I got a phone call while playing soccer.

勉強(べんきょう)ている(あいだ)(なか)()いてきた

I became hungry while studying.

映画(えいが)()ている(あいだ)(とう)さん(かえ)って()

While I was watching a movie, my father came home.

運転(うんてん)ている(あいだ)()(まえ)事故(じこ)()こった。

While I was driving, an accident happened right before my eyes.

Grammar same lesson

~て (Means and Manner)

By, With, On, By means of, ~ing with
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なくてもいい

Don't have to
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~てすみません

I'm sorry for
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~てもらう

To get someone to do, To have someone do
See detailsreport

~てくれる

To do something for someone (usually you)
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