间隙

• Pinyin: jiàn xì
• Hanzi breakdown: 间 = 门 (door) + 日 — between; 隙 = 阝 (place) + small elements indicating narrow opening — crack, crevice

Meaning

Gap; crack; crevice; spare moment. A narrow space between things or a brief pause between activities.

Can refer to physical gaps (in machinery, structures) or temporal gaps (spare moments between tasks). Also used metaphorically for openings or opportunities. In technical contexts, often refers to tolerances or clearances in engineering.

Examples

1. 阳光从树叶的间隙中洒落下来。 Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves.
2. 他利用工作间隙学习外语，每天挤出半小时。 He uses spare moments during work to study foreign languages, squeezing out half an hour every day.
3. 这台机器的零件间隙过大，需要调整。 The clearance between parts in this machine is too large and needs adjustment.

Usage Guide

Context: description, technical, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 门和地板之间有一道间隙。(There's a gap between the door and the floor.)
• 趁着会议间隙，我去打了个电话。(Taking advantage of a break in the meeting, I went to make a call.)

Don't Say

• 混淆'间隙'和'间隔' (Don't confuse 间隙 with 间隔 — 间隙 emphasizes narrow cracks or brief moments; 间隔 is more about regular spacing)

Origin & History

Composed of 间 (between; gap) + 隙 (crack; crevice). Together they emphasize narrow gaps or small openings.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal