間・あいだ(に) (aida ni)
Over the course of an action or time span; while something is happening
Meaning & usage
間(に) expresses a span of time during which something happens, meaning during or while. It follows a noun (often with の, as in 夜の間に) or a plain-form verb phrase like 本を読んでいる. With に it highlights when something occurs within that span, and いつの間にか is a set phrase meaning before one knows it.
Example sentences 8
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二人の間がしっくり行かない。
They don't get along together.
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昔はペチャパイだったのに、いつの間にかこんなに大きくなりやがって。
She used to be flat-chested - just when did she get so large?
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本を読んでいる間に眠ってしまった。
While reading a book, I fell asleep.
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夜の間に雨が降ったのかもしれない。
It may have rained during the night.
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夜の間にきっと雨が降ったのだろう。
It must have rained during the night.
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夜の間に雨が降ったはずがない。
It cannot have rained during the night.
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木立の間に家が見える。
I see a house among the trees.
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夜の間に雨が降った。
It rained during the night.