〜ている間に~te iru aida ni

How it works

1. 

   You can make the sauce while the pasta is boiling. Look at the picture: how are the two tasks timed?

2. 

   The first action continues for a period of time. The second action takes place within that period.

3. 

   The sauce is made while the pasta is boiling, rather than waiting until the pasta is cooked.

4. 

   Use the verb’s 「ている」 form, then add 「間に」, as in 「茹でている間に」.

5. 

   You can use this pattern for making miso soup while rice is cooking, too: another task is done during the rice-cooking time.

6. 

   After mentioning that the pasta is boiling, you can use 「その間に」. 「その」 refers to the time period just mentioned.

7. 

   Notice 「間に」: it tells us what was done within that period. The two tasks do not have to start and end together.

Example sentences

• 茹でゆでyudeてteいるiru間あいだaidaに、にniソースそーすsoosuをo作ります。つくりますtsukurimasu

  While it is boiling, make the sauce.

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In a conversation

• A
  パスタぱすたはわどうやって作りますつくりますか。か

  A: How do you make pasta?

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• B
  パスタぱすたを茹でます。ゆでますその間あいだに、に
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Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A肉を炒めている間に、野菜を切ります。B肉を炒めている間、野菜を切ります。C肉を炒めている間にに、野菜を切ります。D肉を炒めていました間に、野菜を切ります。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AWhile the rice is cooking, I'll make a salad.BAfter cooking the rice, I'll make a salad.CBefore cooking the rice, I'll make a salad.DI'll eat a salad while cooking the rice.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   I make the sauce while it is boiling.

   ソースを食事作ります。間に、しかし茹でている料理とても
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   ご飯を炊いて みそ汁を作ります。

   While cooking rice, I will make miso soup.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜ている間にduring an ongoing action

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