This means something happens for the whole time another thing is happening. It's like saying 'while' or 'during' in English.
Noun + の + 間Primary
Verb [dictionary form] + 間
い-Adjective + 間
な-Adjective + な + 間
This means something happens for the whole time another thing is happening. It's like saying 'while' or 'during' in English.
お母さんが寝ている間、子供はずっとテレビを見ていた。
While his mother was sleeping, the child was watching TV the whole time.
日本にいる間、一度も病気にならなかった。
During the time I was in Japan, I never once got sick.
夏休みの間、毎日プールで泳ぎました。
During the summer vacation, I swam in the pool every day.
社長がお話しになっている間、携帯電話の電源はお切りください。
While the president is speaking, please turn off your mobile phones.
若い間、あまり自分の将来について考えていなかった。
While I was young, I didn't think much about my own future.
This is different from 〜間に (aida ni). Use 〜間 (aida) when something happens for the whole time. Use 〜間に (aida ni) when something happens just once during that time.
Watch out: Do not use '間' for short, sudden events. Use '間に' instead. For example, 'While I showered, the phone rang' needs '間に'. The phone ringing is a quick event. Showering is a longer action.
Don't use this when something happens very fast. For example, you can't say "while class ends." You need something that takes time.
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