【JLPT N3 Grammar】〜うちに(~uchini)
This article may include advertisements.

Explanation1:〜うちに

Meaning
"〜になる前に"
"while / before the situation changes"
Used to indicate that something should be done within a certain time frame, often while a specific condition or situation is still in effect. This phrase emphasizes the importance of acting or completing something before a situation changes.

Form
V (dictionary form / teiru / nai form) + うちに
Nの + うちに
イA + うちに
ナAな + うちに

Points

  1. Time-Sensitive Action: "〜うちに" suggests that an action should be taken while a certain condition or state still exists.
  2. Opportunity: It highlights a window of opportunity that might close if not acted upon in time.

JLPT Level
N3



Sample sentenes1

若わかいうちに、たくさん旅行りょこうしたい。
I want to travel a lot while I'm still young.

どうぞ、あたたかいうちに、食たべてください。
Please eat while it's still warm.

大事だいじなことは忘わすれないうちに、ノートに書かいておきます。
I'll write down important things in my notebook before I forget.

桜さくらがきれいなうちに、花見はなみをしましょう。
Let's go cherry blossom viewing while the sakura are still beautiful.

独身どくしんのうちに、たくさんお金かねを貯金ちょきんします。
I'll save a lot of money while I'm still single.

忘わすれないうちにメモをしておきます。
I'll make a note before I forget.

昼ひるのうちに買かい物ものを済すませておこう。
Let’s finish shopping during the day.

雨あめが降ふらないうちに家うちに帰かえりましょう。
Let’s go home before it rains.

Explanation2:〜うちに

Meaning
"〜しているあいだに"
"while"
Used to describe a natural or unintended change that occurs while something is happening. This usage conveys that as time passes during an ongoing activity, a change gradually or suddenly happens without deliberate intention.

Form
V (dictionary form / teiru / nai form) + うちに

Points

  1. Natural/Unintended Change: "〜うちに" can indicate that something changes naturally or unintentionally while doing an activity.
  2. Focus on Process and Transformation: It highlights a transformation or realization that happens over time during the course of an action.
  3. Continuous Actions: Often used with verbs in the continuous form (ている form) to emphasize that the change happens during the ongoing action.

JLPT Level
N3



Sample sentenes2

映画えいがを見みているうちに、寝ねてしまった。
I fell asleep while watching the movie.

日本にほんのアニメを見みているうちに、少すこしずつ日本語にほんごが上手じょうずになった。
While watching Japanese anime, my Japanese gradually improved.

ジェシカさんと話はなしているうちに、だんだん彼女かのじょのことが好すきになった。
As I talked with Jessica, I gradually started to like her.

友達ともだちと話はなしているうちに、時間じかんがあっという間まに過すぎてしまった。
While talking with my friend, time passed by in the blink of an eye.

Vocabulary

Japanese
English
大事な だいじな important
独身 どくしん single
貯金する ちょきんする to save money
- だんだん little by little

Twitterでフォローしよう