その間に
sono aida ni
In the meantime in Japanese is その間に (sono aida ni).
Used to describe something that happens during the interval between two events.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of その (that), aida (interval/between) and the particle ni (at/during).
Which one should you use?
While その間に focuses on an action occurring during a specific window, the version without the particle, その間, can also be used to describe a continuous state throughout that period.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the particle ni changes the phrase from 'during that time' to a noun phrase meaning 'that interval'.
How do you pronounce it?
sono aida ni
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the concept of an 'interval' encapsulated in aida can also refer to the physical space between two objects, not just a span of time.
- If you are squeezing a task into the 'cracks' of a busy schedule, you would use 合間に (aimani) instead of その間に.
- In Japanese anime or novels, sono aida often acts as a cinematic transition to jump to a parallel scene happening in a different location.
Examples in context
- お湯が沸くまで時間がかかるから、その間に洗い物を済ませちゃいましょう！It'll take some time for the water to boil, so in the meantime, let's get these dishes over with!The sentence is useful for showing how to use その間に to suggest completing a task while waiting for something else to happen.Tatoeba #10603233 by small_snow, translation #10765268 by end
- 私のお父さんは仕事で出かけています。それまで私が家事をしなければなりません。My father is out for work. In the meantime, I have to take care of the house chores.
- リポートの詳細を大学からもらう前に、とりあえず自分で調べてみましょう。Let's research on our own for now until we receive the detailed report from the university.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are waiting for a table at a restaurant.
- 蓮 Ren店に入るまで時間があるね。mise ni hairu made jikan ga aru ne.There's some time before we can enter the restaurant.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。その間にメニューを決めよう。sou da ne. sono aida ni menyuu o kimeyou.You're right. Let's decide on the menu in the meantime.
- 蓮 Renいい考えだね。僕はパスタにするよ。ii kangae da ne. boku wa pasuta ni suru yo.That's a good idea. I'll have the pasta.
- 陽葵 Himari私はピザにするね。watashi wa piza ni suru ne.I'll have the pizza.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
