Japanese with Manga

Save Rei while it's foggy with 〜うちに

Grammar Explanation: During with 〜うちに

Manga panel from 美少女戦士セーラームーン showing example of Save Rei while it's foggy with 〜うちに.
美少女戦士セーラームーン » Volume 1 » Page 117

Jadeite captures the priestess Rei. Ami uses an ability to fill the area with fog, giving Usagi a chance to act.

亜美(あみ):
「うさぎちゃん！霧(きり)が出(で)てるうちにレイちゃんを助(たす)けて！」
“Usagi! (Take the opportunity to) rescue Rei while it's foggy!”
Literal: “Usagi! Save Rei within the time the fog is out!”

Key Points

1霧が出てるうちに marks a limited chance
  • 〜うちに means doing something while a condition still holds.
2出てる is casual 出ている
  • 霧(きり)が出(で)ている means fog is out or present.
  • The shortened 出てる is used in casual conversation.
3助けて is the action to take during that window
  • The うちに phrase sets the timing for レイちゃんを助けて.
  • ちゃん is an affectionate, informal suffix attached to names, used mainly for children, close friends, and family members.

Vocabulary

(To go out)

出(で)る means to go out or leave. It is also used when something appears or is produced.

(I)

うち can mean “I” or “me”, especially in Kansai speech and in casual speech among women. It also has other meanings, including “home” and “inside”.

See Also

美少女戦士セーラームーン © its respective creators. It is used here for educational commentary.