Translation and Meaning of: 間 - aida

Have you ever stopped to think about how a single word can carry so much meaning and depth? between (aida) is one of those terms that goes far beyond the simple translation of "space" or "interval." In this article, we will explore the etymology, its usage in everyday Japanese, the pictogram, and even some curiosities that make this word so special. If you are studying Japanese, understanding aida It is essential, as it appears in common expressions and even in place names. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, you'll love the practical tips we've put together to reinforce this vocabulary.

In Japan, 間 it is not just a physical concept, but also temporal and even emotional. Have you noticed how the Japanese value the moments between one action and another? This word is at the heart of this philosophy. Here, you will discover how it is used in everyday sentences, why its kanji has this form, and even some funny puns that the Japanese love. Get ready to see aida with different eyes!

The origin and the kanji of 間

The kanji 間 it is a true masterpiece of Japanese writing. It consists of two elements: Gate (door) and 日 (sol). Together, they create the image of the sun seen through a gate, literally symbolizing the "space in between". It is no coincidence that this character can also be read as マ (ma), another crucial term for understanding the concept of space in Japanese culture.

In ancient times, the Japanese used 間 to measure not only physical distances but also the time between events. This duality remains to this day. For example, in traditional architecture, KEN (another reading of the same kanji) was a unit of measurement for spaces between pillars. In everyday life, we often hear phrases like During meals (shokuji no aida), meaning "during the meal". Do you see how the same ideogram encompasses both the concrete and the abstract?

How 間 is used in modern Japanese

In present-day Japan, aida it appears in situations that range from the most practical to the most poetic. A common expression is Between him (kare to no aida), which refers to the relationship between two people, literally "the space between me and him". We also use it frequently. この間 (kono aida) to talk about "the other day" or "recently," showing how the term applies to time.

Want a fun example? The Japanese love puns with 間, especially in the names of establishments. I've seen a cafe called Cat Room (neko no aida), something like "The Cat's Space", where felines roamed freely between the tables. And in martial arts, the concept of Maai (間合い), the ideal distance between opponents, is fundamental. This proves how this word is rooted in various aspects of life in Japan.

Tips for memorizing and using 間 correctly

An infallible way to reinforce aida is to associate it with concrete situations. Try creating sentences like Reading a book on the train (reading books on the train) or I am not getting along with my friends. (the relationship with my friend isn't going well - things aren't going well between me and my friend). Using the term in real contexts helps the brain to remember it naturally.

For those who enjoy visual techniques, it's worth drawing the kanji mentally: imagine the sun (日) shining among the leaves of a gate (Gate). This image not only makes it easier to write the character but also reinforces its essential meaning. And when listening to Japanese music, pay attention - 間 It often appears in lyrics, especially in the more melancholic ones that speak of emotional distance. Who knows, you might recognize it in the next playlist?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 間隔 (kankaku) - interval, space between objects
• 期間 (kikan) - period, duration of time
• 間柄 (aitai) - relationship, connection between people
• 間隙 (kansui) - gap, space or crevice between objects
• 間合い (maai) - appropriate distance or time in interactions, especially used in martial arts
• 間際 (magawa) - before, at the moment prior to an event
• 間接 (kan-setsu) - indirect, not direct
• 間違い (machigai) - erro, engano
• 間奏 (kansou) - interlude, musical pause
• 間休み (ma-yasumi) - break, rest interval
• 間食 (kanshoku) - snack, food between meals
• 間接的 (kan-setsu-teki) - indirectly, in a way that is not direct
• 間に合う (ma ni au) - to arrive on time, to be within the deadline
• 間違う (machigau) - to err, to make a mistake
• 間もなく (mamonaku) - soon, soon
• 間を置く (ma o oku) - take a break, put a pause
• 間違いない (machigai nai) - without a doubt, definitely right
• 間接税 (kan-setsu-zei) - indirect tax
• 間接照明 (kan-setsu shoumei) - indirect lighting
• 間接照明器具 (kan-setsu shoumei kigu) - indirect lighting equipment

間

Romaji: aida
Kana: あいだ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: space; interval

Meaning in English: space;interval

Definition: A gap or state that exists between things through distance in time or space.

Example Sentences - (間) aida

See below some example sentences:

条約は国家間の合意を示します。

Jouyaku wa kokka-kan no gōi o shimeshimasu.

The treaty shows an agreement between nations.

• 条約 (jōyaku) - treaty
• 国家 (kokka) - nations, countries
• 間 (kan) - between
• 合意 (gōi) - agreement
• 示します (shimeshimasu) - show, represent

違えることは人間らしいことだ。

Chigae ru koto wa ningen rashii koto da

Making mistakes is human.

Different is human.

• 違えること - action of making mistakes or failures
• は - Topic particle
• 人間らしいこと - typical human behavior
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

深夜には静かな時間が流れる。

Shinya ni wa shizuka na jikan ga nagareru

during the dawn

Quiet time flows late at night.

• 深夜には - à noite tardia
• 静かな - calm
• 時間が - time
• 流れる - flow

食事は大切な時間です。

Shokuji wa taisetsu na jikan desu

The meal is an important moment.

Meals are an important moment.

• 食事 (shokuji) - It refers to a meal.
• は (wa) - Topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "食事".
• 大切 (taisetsu) - It means "important" or "valuable".
• な (na) - Particle that connects "大切" with "時間" and indicates that "大切" is an adjective.
• 時間 (jikan) - It means "time".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

食料は人間にとって不可欠なものです。

Shokuryō wa ningen ni totte fukaketsu na mono desu

Nutrition is essential to human beings.

Food is essential for human beings.

• 食料 - food
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 不可欠 - essential
• な - adjective particle
• もの - thing
• です - is

間違いを犯さないように注意してください。

Machigai wo okasanai you ni chuui shite kudasai

Please be careful not to make mistakes.

Be careful not to make mistakes.

• 間違い (Machigai) - error
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the object of the sentence
• 犯さない (okasanai) - don't commit
• ように (youni) - Expression that indicates a purpose or objective
• 注意 (chuui) - Attention
• してください (shite kudasai) - Please, do it.

道徳は人間の行動規範である。

Dōtoku wa ningen no kōdō kihan de aru

Morality is the norm of human behavior.

Morality is a human code of activity.

• 道徳 - morality
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possessive particle
• 行動 - behavior
• 規範 - standard
• である - is

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

• 酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
• で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo(s)
• と (to) - particle indicating "with"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - divertido
• 時間 (jikan) - tempo/horas
• を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
• 過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - spent/had (a good time)

酸素は人間にとって必要不可欠な要素です。

Sanso wa ningen ni totte hitsuyōfukaketsu na yōso desu

Oxygen is an essential element for humans.

• 酸素 (sanso) - Oxygen
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human being
• にとって (ni totte) - For
• 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - Essential, indispensable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 要素 (yousou) - Element
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

長い間お待たせしました。

Nagai aida omatase shimashita

I've been waiting a long time.

• 長い間 - It means "for a long time".
• お待たせしました - It is a Japanese expression that means "sorry for making you wait."