合間

• Reading: あいま
• Romaji: aima
• Kanji breakdown: 合 (ai) — meet, join; 間 (ma) — space, interval
• Pronunciation: /a.i.ma/

Meaning

Interval; break; pause between activities. A spare moment in the midst of doing something.

A noun describing a gap or pause between activities. Commonly used in the pattern ～の合間に (in between ~). Often appears with 仕事, 勉強, or other ongoing activities to describe doing something during a brief break. Can also function as an adjective with の (合間の時間).

Examples

1. 仕事の合間にコーヒーを飲むのが日課だ。 It's my daily routine to have coffee during breaks from work.
2. 授業の合間に友達とおしゃべりした。 I chatted with my friends between classes.
3. 忙しい合間を縫って趣味の時間を作っている。 I'm carving out time for hobbies in between my busy schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, study

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 合 (ai, meeting/joining) + 間 (ma, space/interval). Literally 'the space where things meet,' referring to the gap between two activities or events.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal