JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜うちで” and “〜なかで”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜うちで” and “〜なかで”
2. Aのうちで
3. AのなかでB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What’s the difference between “〜うちで” and “〜なかで”?
A: Both expressions indicate a “range,” but their usage differs clearly.
Use “〜うちで” for abstract ranges such as time, period, or quantity,and “〜なかで” for concrete ranges such as people, places, or things.
Aのうちで (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Indicates an abstract range such as time, period, or quantity
[Rule]
[N] Noun + の + うちで
[Examples]
日本は一年のうちで8月が一番暑いです。
In Japan, August is the hottest month of the year.
100人のうちで、合格したのはたった5人だけでした。
Out of 100 people, only 5 passed.
一日のうちで、朝が一番忙しいです。
In a day, the morning is the busiest time.
“Aのうちで” is used when expressing abstract ranges like time, duration, or quantity.
[Examples]
50人のうちで、アンケートに答えたのは10人でした。
Out of 50 people, 10 answered the questionnaire.
一年のうちで春が一番好きです。
Of all the seasons in a year, I like spring the most.
一日のうちで、どの時間がいちばん長く感じますか。
During the day, which time feels the longest to you?
AのなかでB (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Indicates a concrete range such as people, places, things, or situations
[Rule]
[N] Noun + の + なかで
[Examples]
くだもののなかで、いちごが一番好きです。
Among fruits, I like strawberries the most.
バチカン市国は、ヨーロッパのなかで一番小さい国です。
Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe.
日本社会のなかで、生活するのは大変なこともあります。
Living in Japanese society can sometimes be difficult.
“AのなかでB” is a broader expression compared to “Aのうちで.”
It is mainly used with nouns that indicate physical or concrete ranges, but it also has the following characteristics:
① Used to compare or emphasize something within a limited group or category
It expresses something that stands out within a specific range such as “family,” “countries,” or “types.”
In these cases, words like “一番 (the most),” “特に (especially),” or “最も (most)” are often used in the sentence.
[Examples]
家族のなかで、兄が一番背が高いです。
Among my family members, my older brother is the tallest.
⇒ The range is limited to “family,” and within that range, the brother is emphasized as being the tallest.
昔は日本の電化製品のなかで、冷蔵庫が特に人気がありました。
In the past, among Japanese home appliances, refrigerators were especially popular.
日本は、先進国のなかで一番地震が多い国です。
Japan has the most earthquakes among developed countries.
② When expressing an action or state that takes place within a certain situation or environment
It indicates that A’s “action, state, or event” occurs or exists within the situation or environment represented by B.
[Examples]
厳しい社会のなかで生き抜くのは大変です。
It’s hard to survive in a harsh society.
⇒ The difficulty of “surviving” arises within the situation of a “harsh society.”
困難のなかで、最後まで諦めずに戦いました。
In the midst of hardship, they fought without giving up until the end.
数ある選択肢のなかで、この方法が一番効果的だと思います。
Among the many options, I think this method is the most effective.
Let’s Compare
Which expression sounds more natural in the following sentences?
[Example]
① 一年のうちで8月が一番暑いです。
② 一年のなかで、8月が一番暑いです。
The correct answer is ①.
As mentioned earlier, “うちで” is used for abstract ranges such as time, period, or quantity.
However, in recent years, even native speakers tend to use “なかで,” and in everyday conversation, both can sound natural.
[Example]
① 一日のうちで、昼過ぎがいちばん落ち着く時間帯です。
② 一日のなかで、昼過ぎがいちばん落ち着く時間帯です。
Grammatically, ① is correct, but in spoken Japanese, ② sounds more natural and is commonly used.
Summary
[Aのうちで]
- Indicates an abstract range such as time, period, or quantity.
- Used mainly for temporal comparisons and in limited contexts.
[AのなかでB]
- Has a broader range of usage than “Aのうちで.”
- Generally used with concrete or physical ranges and follows certain rules:
① B shows a limited range or category, and A highlights something notable within it.
Commonly used with words like “most,” “especially,” or “the best.”
② B shows a situation or environment, within which A’s action, state, or event takes place.
Similer Articles
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