～ないうちに
nai uchi ni
Before something happens; while it has not yet happened
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
Negative nai-form verb + うちに, followed by an action done before that event or change occurs.
Explanation 説明
Do something while a situation still holds, before a change or an often unwanted event occurs. The expression emphasizes using the remaining opportunity, rather than merely ordering two events in time.
Examples 例文
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雨が降らないうちに、洗濯物を取り込みましょう。
Let us bring in the laundry before it rains.
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忘れないうちに、電話番号をメモしました。
I wrote down the phone number before I could forget it.
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スープが冷めないうちに、飲んでください。
Please drink the soup before it gets cold.
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店が混まないうちに、昼ご飯を食べに行きます。
I will go for lunch before the restaurant gets crowded.
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暗くならないうちに、山を下りましょう。
Let us descend the mountain before it gets dark.
How related patterns differ 比較
まま emphasizes an unchanged state. うちに focuses on an opportunity or a change during a period; ないうちに means before an event occurs. て以来 marks the starting event of a continuing state.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～ないうちに | Before something happens; while it has not yet happened | 雨が降らないうちに、洗濯物を取り込みましょう。 Let us bring in the laundry before it rains. |
| ～まま | While remaining in a state; unchanged | 窓を開けたまま出かけてしまいました。 I went out leaving the window open. |
| ～うちに | While; before a situation changes; during which | 若いうちに、いろいろな国を見てみたいです。 I want to see various countries while I am young. |
| ～て以来 | Ever since an event | 日本に来て以来、毎日電車で通勤しています。 Ever since coming to Japan, I have commuted by train every day. |
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