〜ているうちに~te iru uchi ni

How it works

1. 

   The conversation keeps going. How do their expressions change? Notice how the nervousness gradually fades as they chat.

2. 

   「Vているうちに」 first names an ongoing action, then describes a change that happens during it.

3. 

   Use this pattern when feelings, understanding, or something else changes naturally while an action or state continues.

4. 

   「だんだん」 and 「少しずつ」 emphasize gradual change and are often used with 「うちに」.

5. 

   In the two examples, talking and listening are still ongoing. The nervousness fades and understanding grows during that time.

6. 

   The examples focus on changes that happen naturally. They do not set out a planned result or give someone a command.

7. 

   At exactly what moment did the nervousness fade, or the words become understandable? These sentences do not specify when the change occurred.

Example sentences

• 話しはなしhanashiてteいるiruうちuchiに、ni、だんだんdandan緊張きんちょうkinchouがgaなくなりました。nakunarimashita。

  As we were talking, my nervousness gradually disappeared.

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In a conversation

• 高齢者こうれいしゃの方ほうとの会話かいわが続くつづくか心配しんぱいでしたが、大丈夫でしただいじょうぶでしたか。

  I was worried about whether you would be able to keep a conversation going with the elderly person, but did it go well?

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Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A地域活動のボランティア活動に何度も参加しているうちに、他の参加者と打ち解けて、お互いの価値観を理解し合えるようになりました。B地域活動のボランティア活動に何度も参加しているところに、他の参加者と打ち解けて、お互いの価値観を理解し合えるようになりました。C地域活動のボランティア活動に何度も参加しているわりに、他の参加者と打ち解けて、お互いの価値観を理解し合えるようになりました。D地域活動のボランティア活動に何度も参加しているばかりに、他の参加者と打ち解けて、お互いの価値観を理解し合えるようになりました。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AWhile helping with traditional games and read-aloud sessions at the community salon, I naturally became able to understand the children's way of speaking and youth slang.BThe children participating in the community salon have a good balance of older and younger ages, and they all play together happily.CTo make sure the children would enjoy themselves at the community salon, I prepared a list in advance of which picture books to read aloud.DI learned effective ways of talking to children from the other volunteers helping at the community salon.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   As I listened to the other person talk about their work experience, the prejudice I once had gradually disappeared.

   相手の職業経験につい抱いていた偏見がでも消えていきました。いるうちに、かつてての話を聞いて
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   話している____、だんだん緊張がなくなりました。

   As we kept talking, my nervousness gradually went away.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜ているうちにchange during an activity

Keep practising