Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

When you're small with 〜うちは

ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 5 » Page 49

During a visit with Anzu’s family, Makoto receives a request to babysit for another witch. Things are fine at first, but after a while, rain begins to pour inside. Anzu’s mother realizes that the child they’re watching over has rain magic.

杏子(あんず)(はは):
「小さいうちはコントロールできないんだろうね。不安になると今みたいに降らせちゃうんだね」
"You don't have control while you're small, right? When he's uneasy, it pours like just now."
真琴(まこと):
「なるほど。そうですよね。いきなり知らない所じゃ心細いですよ。我慢してたんですね」
"I see. So that's it. It's a little scary suddenly being in a place you don't know. You've been patient, haven't you?"

Here, うちは is contrasting when one is a child, versus when they are older and more in control of their magic.

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