其间

• Pinyin: qí jiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 其 = 其 (that/its); 间 = 门 (gate) + 日 (sun — daylight between doors)

Meaning

During that time; in the interim; within that period. Refers to events or details occurring inside a previously mentioned span of time.

Used to embed additional events within a defined timeframe in formal narrative or academic writing. More literary than 期间 in feel. Common in historical accounts and formal reports.

Examples

1. 她在海外留学五年，其间克服了语言和生活上的无数困难。 She studied abroad for five years, during which she overcame countless difficulties in language and daily life.
2. 这项工程历时三年，其间经历了多次重大的方案调整。 The project lasted three years, during which it went through multiple major plan revisions.
3. 抗战期间，其间涌现出无数视死如归的英雄人物。 During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, countless heroes emerged who faced death without fear.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, narrative, writing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 代表团访问期间，其间参观了多处重要的工业生产基地。(During the delegation's visit, they toured several important industrial production bases in between.)
• 谈判历经半年，其间双方多次陷入僵局，谈判几度中断。(The negotiations lasted half a year, during which both sides repeatedly reached deadlocks and talks broke down several times.)

Don't Say

• 我们其间去超市了 — use 期间/途中 in everyday speech; 其间 sounds overly literary in casual contexts

Origin & History

其 (that/its) + 间 (among/between/during)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal