～間
Throughout the time something continues
You'll be able to say that one situation lasts for the entire duration of another.
芽衣が寝ている間、母はお弁当を作っていました。
mei ga nete iru aida, haha wa obentou o tsukutte imashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
While Mei was sleeping, mother was making bento lunches.
Continue throughout a period
～間 describes an action or state that lasts through another period. Both situations are understood as overlapping in duration.
夏休みの間、祖父の家にいました。
natsuyasumi no aida, sofu no ie ni imashita.
I stayed at my grandfather’s house during the summer vacation.
Form and use ～間
The main action usually continues over the interval. Different people may perform the two actions.
夏休みの間、祖父の家にいました。
natsuyasumi no aida, sofu no ie ni imashita.
I stayed at my grandfather’s house during the summer vacation.
父が運転している間、静かにしていました。
chichi ga unten shite iru aida, shizuka ni shite imashita.
I stayed quiet while my father was driving.
電車に乗っている間、本を読んでいました。
densha ni notte iru aida, hon o yonde imashita.
I was reading a book the whole time I was on the train.
冬休みの間、スキー場でアルバイトをしていました。
fuyuyasumi no aida, sukiijou de arubaito o shite imashita.
During the winter vacation, I was working part-time at a ski resort.
母が買い物をしている間、私と弟は車の中で待っていました。
haha ga kaimono o shite iru aida, watashi to otouto wa kuruma no naka de matte imashita.
While my mother was shopping, my younger brother and I waited in the car.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.