while

しばらく、少しの間

短い時間のまとまり。

やさしい英語で： A short period of time.

• Please wait a while.
• We rested for a little while before walking again.
• After a while, the rain stopped.

類義語： moment, short time

よく使う表現： a little while, a short while, after a while, wait a while

間、しばらく

長さがはっきり示されていない時間のまとまり。

やさしい英語で： A period of time whose length is not stated exactly.

• We stayed there for a while.
• It took quite a while to fix the engine.
• I haven't seen her for a long while.

類義語： period, time, spell

よく使う表現： a long while, quite a while, for a while, a good while

間に、間

別のことが起きている間に、あることが起きると示す。

やさしい英語で： During the time that something else happens.

• I listened while she spoke.
• Can you watch the children while I cook?
• He called while we were having dinner.

使い方： while + clause (I read while my sister cooked.)

類義語： as

よく使う表現： while someone sleeps, while someone waits, while someone works

ものの、とはいえ

ある事実を認めた上で、それを限定することや反対のことを述べる。

やさしい英語で： Used to admit one fact before saying something that limits or contrasts with it.

• While it's expensive, it's very useful.
• The room, while small, has plenty of light.
• While I liked the story, I found the ending weak.

使い方： while + clause, clause (While I understand your reasons, I disagree.); while + adjective (The plan, while simple, will cost too much.)

類義語： although, though, even though

よく使う表現： while I agree, while it is, while admitting something

間に、ながら

ある活動をしている間に、別のことが起きると示す。

やさしい英語で： During an activity that is happening at the same time.

• Don't text while driving.
• She fell asleep while watching a film.
• I met him while working in a cafe.

使い方： while + -ing (She hurt her ankle while running.)

類義語： during

よく使う表現： while doing something, while waiting, while driving, while eating

暇をつぶす、のんびり過ごす

あまり労力のいらないことをして、楽しく時間を過ごす。

やさしい英語で： To spend time pleasantly doing something that does not require much effort.

• We whiled away the evening talking.
• She likes to while away Sundays in the garden.
• They whiled away the hours with a board game.

使い方： while away something + -ing (We whiled away the afternoon playing cards.)

類義語： pass, spend

よく使う表現： while away time, while away hours, while away afternoons