When describing time span, are 間 {あいだ} and 内 {うち} interchangeable?


Both 間 {あいだ} and 内 {うち} can be used to describe time span relative to specific
situations, similar to "while" in English. But are they interchangeable all
the time? Are there any scenarios where one can use one of them but not the
other? Are there differences in nuances?

Example sentences of my own (I'm not sure if they are correct or not so if
they sound wrong please point out why):

> 先生が見てない間に逃げよう
>
> 先生が見てない内に逃げよう




**Edited to replace the word "measure" with a better concept.**

`間` refers to the time space between two points; speaker feels he has the
ability to determine a start and end point at the moment of making the
statement. (間 has explicit time boundary)

`内` however refers to "time space within"; for when it is difficult for the
speaker to determine a start and end point. It refers to the general time
during which an event/state is occuring. (No explicit time boundary for 内)

That is why it seems strange to say (though not totally unacceptable)[1]:

> 雨が降らない間にテニスをする。

But is okay to say:

> 雨が降らない内にテニスをする。

Because one cannot assess the start and end point of the duration within "not
rain"

* * *

In your example `先生が見てない(間に/内に)逃げよう`, the time during "teacher is not looking"
isn't a predictable or planned event (No explicit time boundary). Therefore
`内に` would be more appropriate for your example sentence.

* * *

**Edited** : To try to explain the apparent contradiction with Tsuyoshi's
example using `晴れている`:

> 晴れている［○間に］［○うちに］作業を終わらせよう。
>
> Versus,
>
> 雨が降らない［×間に］［○うちに］作業を終わらせよう。

It should have something to do with the speaker's expectation of future
circumstances:

The speaker takes the default standpoint of "clear weather" as a default
weather.

We normally do not worry "when the duration of `[clear weather]` ends". But
rather we would think in the manner of "when does `[other weather]` begin?".
It becomes unimportant to assess a start and end point for a default
standpoint. Since it's a default standpoint, both 間 and 内 can be used and will
not sound unnatural or not smooth.

For `[other weather]` there is a start and end point, but the speaker expects
`[other weather]` (e.g. rainy) to behave in a way that he cannot determine a
start and end point for it.

* * *

Now for the case of `"teacher is not looking"`, the speaker takes the default
standpoint of `"teacher is always paying attention"` because that is how he
would expect the teacher to behave. The alternative: duration of `"teacher is
not looking"` becomes hard for the speaker to determine a start and end point.

* * *

References:

  * [1] Makino, S., & Tsutsui, M. (2010). _A dictionary of basic Japanese grammar_. pg. 512-515 entry for _uchi ni_




**Edited to replace the word "measure" with a better concept.**

`間` refers to the time space between two points; speaker feels he has the
ability to determine a start and end point at the moment of making the
statement. (間 has explicit time boundary)

`内` however refers to "time space within"; for when it is difficult for the
speaker to determine a start and end point. It refers to the general time
during which an event/state is occuring. (No explicit time boundary for 内)

That is why it seems strange to say (though not totally unacceptable)[1]:

> 雨が降らない間にテニスをする。

But is okay to say:

> 雨が降らない内にテニスをする。

Because one cannot assess the start and end point of the duration within "not
rain"

* * *

In your example `先生が見てない(間に/内に)逃げよう`, the time during "teacher is not looking"
isn't a predictable or planned event (No explicit time boundary). Therefore
`内に` would be more appropriate for your example sentence.

* * *

**Edited** : To try to explain the apparent contradiction with Tsuyoshi's
example using `晴れている`:

> 晴れている［○間に］［○うちに］作業を終わらせよう。
>
> Versus,
>
> 雨が降らない［×間に］［○うちに］作業を終わらせよう。

It should have something to do with the speaker's expectation of future
circumstances:

The speaker takes the default standpoint of "clear weather" as a default
weather.

We normally do not worry "when the duration of `[clear weather]` ends". But
rather we would think in the manner of "when does `[other weather]` begin?".
It becomes unimportant to assess a start and end point for a default
standpoint. Since it's a default standpoint, both 間 and 内 can be used and will
not sound unnatural or not smooth.

For `[other weather]` there is a start and end point, but the speaker expects
`[other weather]` (e.g. rainy) to behave in a way that he cannot determine a
start and end point for it.

* * *

Now for the case of `"teacher is not looking"`, the speaker takes the default
standpoint of `"teacher is always paying attention"` because that is how he
would expect the teacher to behave. The alternative: duration of `"teacher is
not looking"` becomes hard for the speaker to determine a start and end point.

* * *

References:

  * [1] Makino, S., & Tsutsui, M. (2010). _A dictionary of basic Japanese grammar_. pg. 512-515 entry for _uchi ni_

