間

• Reading: あいだ
• Romaji: aida
• Kanji breakdown: 間 (aida/kan/ma) — space, interval, between
• Pronunciation: /a.i.da/

Meaning

Space between; gap; interval; distance. Used to describe physical or temporal space separating two things.

A noun that expresses the concept of space or interval between two points, whether physical or temporal. Often used with particles like の to connect two nouns (AとBの間). Also commonly appears in time expressions to indicate a duration or period.

Examples

1. 東京と大阪の間は新幹線で二時間半です。 It takes two and a half hours between Tokyo and Osaka by bullet train.
2. 授業の間に友達と話しました。 I talked with my friend during the break between classes.
3. ドアとドアの間にかばんがあります。 There's a bag between the doors.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, time expressions, spatial descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 間 combines 門 (gate) and 日 (sun), originally depicting sunlight visible through a gate, evoking the concept of a gap or space between.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal