〜うちに uchi ni

〜うちに（uchi ni）means “while; before (a state ends)”. Indicates doing something while a favorable state still continues, or before an unwanted change happens. Formation: V-る／V-ている／V-ない＋うちに ／ Aい＋うちに ／ Aな＋うちに ／ Nの＋うちに

while; before (a state ends)

N3

Formation

V-る／V-ている／V-ない＋うちに ／ Aい＋うちに ／ Aな＋うちに ／ Nの＋うちに

Explanation

Indicates doing something while a favorable state still continues, or before an unwanted change happens. With the negative V-ない form it means 'before ~ becomes the case'.

Examples

あたたかいうちにめしあがってください。
あたたかいうちにめしあがってください。
Please eat it while it's still warm.
あめがふらないうちにいえにかえろう。
あめがふらないうちにいえにかえろう。
Let's go home before it starts to rain.

Note

「〜ないうちに」(before ~) is a very common pattern; contrast with 〜間に which simply marks a span of time.

FAQ

〜うちに — what does it mean and how is it used?

while; before (a state ends). Indicates doing something while a favorable state still continues, or before an unwanted change happens. With the negative V-ない form it means 'before ~ becomes the case'.

〜うちに — how do you form it?

V-る／V-ている／V-ない＋うちに ／ Aい＋うちに ／ Aな＋うちに ／ Nの＋うちに

〜うちに — any usage notes?

「〜ないうちに」(before ~) is a very common pattern; contrast with 〜間に which simply marks a span of time.

Related grammar

Learn in the app →