【JLPT N3 Grammar】〜うちに(~uchini)

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

わかうちに、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、あたたかいうちにべてください。
Please eat while it's still warm.

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

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.

独身どくしんうちに、たくさんおかね貯金ちょきんします。
I'll save a lot of money while I'm still single.

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.

ひるうちにものませておこう。
Let’s finish shopping during the day.

あめらないうちにうちかえりましょう。
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

映画えいがているうちにてしまった。
I fell asleep while watching the movie.

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

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

友達ともだちはなしているうちに時間じかんがあっというぎてしまった。
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

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