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Hello again everyone! I'm Aki, a former Japanese teacher.
It's been a while, but I brought out some more slides from my actual classes! Today, we are looking at a classic Japanese grammar point that confuses many learners: 〜あいだ (aida) vs. 〜あいだに (aida ni).
Both translate to "while" or "during," but they are used very differently depending on how long the action takes. Let's break it down!
Part 1: The Continuous "〜あいだ**" (aida)**
Use this when an action happens continuously throughout the entire period. It doesn't stop!
(Please look at the slide with the sleeping student!)
Look at S-san. He slept from 8:40 to 9:25 without waking up.
Sさんは 授業の あいだ ずっと寝ていました。
(S-san wa jugyou no aida zutto nete imashita.)
= S-san slept the whole time during the class.
Part 2: The Punctual Action "〜あいだに**" (aida ni)**
Use this when an action or event happens once or finishes quickly within that period. It doesn't take up the whole time.
(Please look at the slide with the teacher!)
The teacher is in the room from 8:45 to 12:00. If you ask a question at 10:00, it's a quick action inside that larger time frame.
先生がいる あいだに 質問します。
(Sensei ga iru aida ni shitsumon shimasu.)
= I will ask a question while the teacher is here.
Teacher's Tip 💡**: How to connect them**
Verb (usually Te-iru form or Dictionary form) + あいだ / あいだに
Noun + の (no) + あいだ / あいだに
(Example: 夏休みのあいだ - during summer vacation)
Homework time! ✍️
Let's practice in the comments! Tell me something you did using either "あいだ" (a continuous action) or "あいだに" (a quick action within a time frame).
Example:
夏休みの あいだに、日本へ行きました！ (I went to Japan during the summer vacation!)
I'll be checking your sentences!

Hello everyone! I'm Aki, a former Japanese teacher.
Today, let's learn another very useful grammar point from my slides: Verb (Dictionary-form) + まで (made).
It means "until (an action happens)." We use this when action B continues up to the precise moment that action A occurs. It marks the endpoint of a continuous action.
Grammar Structure:
• Verb (Dictionary-form) + まで
• (V-dictionary + made)
Let's look at some examples!
🚦 Example 1: Waiting at a crosswalk
• 信号が青になるまで待ちます。
• (Shingou ga ao ni naru made machimasu.)
• = I will wait until the light turns green.
• (Verb: なる/naru ➔ なるまで/naru made)
☕️ Example 2: Waiting for a friend
• 友達が来るまで、カフェで本を読みました。
• (Tomodachi ga kuru made, kafe de hon o yomimashita.)
• = I read a book at a cafe until my friend came.
• (Verb: 来る/kuru ➔ 来るまで/kuru made)
🍿 Example 3: Movie theater rule
• 映画が終わるまで、スマホを使ってはいけません。
• (Eiga ga owaru made, sumaho o tsukatte wa ikemasen.)
• = You must not use your smartphone until the movie finishes.
• (Verb: 終わる/owaru ➔ 終わるまで/owaru made)
Homework time! ✍️
Let's practice in the comments! How would you translate this sentence into Japanese using "〜するまで"?
• "I studied Japanese until my test finished."
(Hint: my test finishes = テストが終わる / tesuto ga owaru, to study = 勉強する / benkyou suru)
I'll check your answers! 😊

Hi everyone! I want to share a quick breakdown from my Japanese lesson today.
One of the most confusing grammar points for learners is understanding the difference between 〜てくる (te kuru) and 〜ていく (te iku). The secret to mastering them is visualizing the "direction" of change on a timeline.
Here is a simple guide on how to use them naturally.
1. 〜てくる (Te-Kuru): Past ➔ Present
Think of this as an arrow pointing towards you (the present moment). It describes a change or action that started in the past and has continued up to right now.
• Example:
給料がだんだん上がってくる。
(Kyuuryou ga dandan agatte kuru.)
= Salaries are gradually starting to go up (and we are feeling the effects arriving at the present).
It's also used for social trends that have become apparent:
• Example:
日本語を勉強する外国人が増えてくると思います。
(Nihongo o benkyou suru gaikokujin ga fuete kuru to omoimasu.)
= I think the number of foreigners studying Japanese has been increasing (and will continue to).
2. 〜ていく (Te-Iku): Present ➔ Future
Think of this as an arrow pointing away from you (into the future). It describes a change or action that starts from the current moment and will continue moving forward.
• Example:
ジョギングしているのに、体重がどんどん増えていく。
(Jogingu shiteiru noni, taijuu ga dondon fuete iku.)
= Even though I'm jogging, my weight just keeps increasing (moving forward into the future). 😭
3. 〜ていった (Te-Itta): Past Progression
When you look back at a specific point in the past and describe how a situation progressed from that point onward, you use the past form, 〜ていった.
• Example:
勉強しないで遊んでいたら、成績が悪くなっていった。
(Benkyou shinaide asonde itara, seiseki ga waruku natte itta.)
= As I spent my time playing instead of studying, my grades kept getting worse.
💡 Key Takeaway:
• ~te kuru: Coming towards "NOW"
• ~te iku: Going away from "NOW"
I hope this helps you visualize Japanese grammar a bit better! Let me know if you have any questions.

Hello everyone! I'm Aki, a former Japanese teacher.

Today, let's learn a very useful JLPT N4 grammar point: Verb (Nai-form) + ようにしてください (youni shite kudasai).

It means "Please try not to..." or "Please make sure not to..." It sounds much softer and more polite than just saying "〜ないでください (nai de kudasai / Please don't)". We use this when we want someone to make a conscious effort to avoid doing something.

Here are some slides from my actual beginner classes. I've added Romaji and English translations for you!

Let's break down the slides!

🎒 Slide 1: Forgetting something at school

• Direct: 学校に教科書を忘れないで下さい (Gakkou ni kyoukasho o wasurenaide kudasai) = Please don't forget your textbooks at school.

• Soft: 学校に教科書を忘れないようにして下さい (Gakkou ni kyoukasho o wasurenai youni shite kudasai) = Please try not to forget your textbooks at school.

🤫 Slide 2: In the library

• Direct: 図書館でおしゃべりはしないでください (Toshokan de oshaberi wa shinaide kudasai) = Please don't chat in the library.

• Soft: 図書館でおしゃべりはしないようにしてください (Toshokan de oshaberi wa shinai youni shite kudasai) = Please try not to chat in the library.

💡 Slide 3: Teacher's Point & Bonus Tip!

• The slide explains that this grammar is more polite than "〜てください" and is used when you want someone to be careful.

• Bonus Tip: You can also use this grammar for yourself by changing the end to 〜ようにしています (youni shite imasu), which means "I am making an effort to..."

• Example: 健康のためにタバコは吸わないようにしています (Kenkou no tame ni tabako wa suwanai youni shite imasu) = For my health, I am trying not to smoke.

Homework time! ✍️

Let's practice in the comments! How would you translate this sentence into Japanese using "〜ないようにしてください"?

• "Please try not to eat too much."

(Hint: to eat too much = 食べすぎる / tabesugiru)

I'll check your answers! 😊