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いつの間に (いつのまに) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

いつの間まに

い

つ

の

ま

に

JLPTN2›Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

expression, adverb

when; at what point

Used in questions expressing surprise or curiosity about the timing of an event, often implying the speaker didn't notice when it happened.

いつの間まに雨あめが降ふり出だしたんだろう

。

When did it start raining, I wonder?

いつの間まに彼かれは帰かえってきたの？

When did he come back?

Kanji

間interval, space
何what
時time, hour

Related words

いつの間まにかN3
いつの間にか is used in statements to mean 'before one knows it', while いつの間に is typically used in questions expressing surprise about timing.
いつN5
いつ is a plain interrogative meaning 'when', while いつの間に adds a nuance of surprise that the speaker didn't notice the timing.

Written forms

いつの間まに
Standard kana spelling; the kanji form 何時の間に is rare and may be confusing.
何時いつの間まに
Kanji spelling using 何時 for いつ; rarely used and can be misread.

Etymology

Phrase composed of いつ (when), の (possessive particle), 間 (interval), and に (time particle), literally 'in the interval of when'.