〜のうちに~no uchi ni
No uchi ni (〜のうちに) means “before a state changes”.
It's better to go in while the restaurant is still uncrowded.
Use 「〜のうちに」 to do something while a time or state still holds, before it changes.
In the course
How it works
Look at the picture: the café has space now, but will be crowded later. Which side would you choose to get in easily?
「うちに」 means doing something while a state still holds, before it changes. It suggests taking the opportunity.
After a noun, use 「のうちに」. For example, 「午前中のうちに」 means within the morning.
Verbs take 「うちに」 directly. 「空いているうちに」 means while the place is still uncrowded.
Use 「うちに」 after an い-adjective and 「なうちに」 after a な-adjective: while the state has not yet changed.
「売り切れないうちに」 means ordering before the item sells out. The action comes before the change.
Example sentences
- 店miseがga空いaiてteいるiruうちuchiにni入ったほうhaittahouがgaいいです。iidesu。
It's better to go in while the restaurant is still uncrowded.
In a conversation
- Aあの隠れ家カフェ、行ってみたいですね。
A: I'd like to try going to that hidden-gem cafe.
- B人気店になる前の、まだあまりにぎわっ
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
You should go in while the shop is still empty.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
店が____入ったほうがいいです。
You should go in while the restaurant is not busy.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜のうちにbefore a state changes