うちに (uchini)

Meaning & usage

うちに means doing something while a state lasts or before it changes, often with the nuance that the chance will pass. It follows plain-form verbs, including negative forms like 忘れない, and can also follow a noun plus の. It is common in both casual and polite speech.

Example sentences 8

1. 忘わすれないうちに彼かれの住所じゅうしょを書かき留とめておかねばならない。

   I must write down his address before I forget it.

2. 彼らはあまり遠くに行かないうちに１人の老人に会った。

   They hadn't gone very far when they met an old man.

3. 彼らが出発するか、しないかのうちに、雨が降り出した。

   They had hardly started when it began to rain.

4. 忘れないうちに彼の電話番号を書き留めておきなさい。

   Write down his phone number before you forget.

5. スロットを打っているうちに、あれよあれよと今の時間です。

   I was hitting the slots, and before I knew it, it's this time already.

6. 彼が朝食を食べ終わるか終わらないうちにお医者さんが来た。

   Hardly had he finished breakfast when the doctor came.

7. 彼が近いうちにひょっこり訪ねてくるかもしれない気がする。

   I have a feeling that he may blow in sometime soon.

8. 彼がうちに来るときは必ず子供に土産を持ってくる。

   He never visits us without bringing some presents for my children.