Word
休憩 の 間 に コーヒー ばかり 飲んで います。kyuukei no aida ni koohii bakari nonde imasu.
Meaning
During the break I drink nothing but coffee.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of kyuukei no aida ni koohii bakari nonde imasu.
飲むnomu
to drink
のno
possessive case particle
にni
time particle
コーヒーkoohii
coffee
Questions & Answers about kyuukei no aida ni koohii bakari nonde imasu.
Why is の used between 休憩 and 間?
In Japanese の often links two nouns, turning the first into a modifier of the second. Here, 休憩の間 literally means “the interval of the break” or simply “during the break.” Without の, the relationship between the two nouns would be unclear.
What’s the difference between 休憩の間に and 休憩中に?
Both mean “during the break,” but with subtle nuance:
- 休憩の間に uses 間 (“interval”) plus に to stress the whole period.
- 休憩中に uses 中 (“in the midst of”) to highlight that something happens at some point within that time.
In most contexts they’re interchangeable, though 休憩中に is slightly more colloquial and common on signs or in announcements.
Why is に attached to 間?
The particle に marks a specific time or period when an action takes place. Even though 休憩の間 is a noun phrase meaning “the break period,” you still need に to turn it into an adverbial phrase: 休憩の間に = “at/during the break.”
What does ばかり mean in コーヒーばかり飲んでいます?
