Translation and Meaning of: 間 - aida

Have you ever stopped to think about how a single word can carry so much meaning and depth? 間[あいだ] (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, the usage in everyday Japanese, the pictogram, and even some curiosities that make this word so special. If you are studying Japanese, understanding aida 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 prepared to help you retain this vocabulary.

In Japan, 間 is not just a physical concept, but also a temporal and even emotional one. 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 phrases, why its kanji has this form, and even some funny puns that the Japanese love. Get ready to see aida in a new light!

The origin and the kanji of 間

The kanji 間 is a true masterpiece of Japanese writing. It is composed of two elements: 門 (gate) and 日 (sun). Together, they create the image of the sun seen through a gate, literally symbolizing the "space between." It's no wonder that this character can also be read as ま (ma), another crucial term for understanding the concept of interval 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 the space between pillars. In daily life, we often hear phrases like 食事の間 (shokuji no aida), meaning "during the meal." Do you notice how the same ideogram encompasses both the concrete and the abstract?

How 間 is used in modern Japanese

In present-day Japan, aida appears in situations ranging from the most practical to the most poetic. A common expression is 彼との間 (kare to no aida), which refers to the relationship between two people, literally "the space between me and him." We also use この間 (kono aida) a lot 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 café called 猫の間 (neko no aida), something like "The Cat's Space," where felines roamed freely among the tables. And in martial arts, the concept of maai (間合い), the ideal distance between opponents, is fundamental. This shows how this word is rooted in various aspects of life in Japan.

Tips for memorizing and using 間 correctly

An infallible way to remember aida is to associate it with concrete situations. Try creating sentences like 電車の間で本を読む (densha no aida de hon o yomu - reading books during the train) or 友達との間がうまくいかない (tomodachi to no aida ga umaku ikanai - things aren't going well between me and my friend). Using the term in real contexts helps the brain to naturally memorize it.

For those who enjoy visual techniques, it's worth drawing the kanji mentally: imagine the sun (日) shining between the leaves of a gate (門). This image not only facilitates the writing of the character but also reinforces its essential meaning. And when listening to Japanese songs, pay attention - 間 frequently appears in lyrics, especially in the more melancholic ones that speak of emotional distance. Who knows, you may 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

Related words

空間

akima

vacancy; room for rent or lease

合間

aima

break

間柄

aidagara

relationship(ship)

夜間

yakan

at night; night

民間

minkan

private; civil; civil; popular; folklore; unofficial

間々

mama

occasionally; often

間もなく

mamonaku

shortly; soon; soon

間に合う

maniau

be in time for

間違い

machigai

error

間違う

machigau

make a mistake; be incorrect; be mistaken

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.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (間) aida

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (間) aida:

Example Sentences - (間) aida

See below some example sentences:

私たちは仲間同士です。

Watashitachi wa nakama doushi desu

We are mates.

We are friends.

私たちは - 「私たち」
仲間 - "Companions/friends" in Japanese
同士 - Suffix that means "among equals" or "among companions" in Japanese.
です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私たちはランチの合間にコーヒーを飲んだ。

Watashitachi wa ranchi no aima ni kōhī o nonda

We drink coffee during the lunch break.

We drink coffee between lunch.

私たちは - 「私たち」
ランチ - "Lunch" in Japanese
の - Possessive particle in Japanese
合間に - "Break" or "pause" in Japanese
コーヒー - "Coffee" in Japanese
を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
飲んだ - "Drinking in the past tense in Japanese

私たちは良い間柄です。

Watashitachi wa yoi magara desu

We have a good relationship.

We are a good relationship.

私たちは - 私たち
良い - good in Japanese
間柄 - "Relationship" in Japanese.
です - "is" in Japanese (verb to be)

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
から - "From" in Japanese
金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
まで - "Until" in Japanese
です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

空間を大切にしましょう。

Kukan wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value the space.

空間 (kuukan) - space
を (wo) - Particle that indicates the object of the action
大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
に (ni) - particle that indicates the manner in which something is done
しましょう (shimashou) - polite form of the verb "to do"

結束は大切な瞬間です。

Kessoku wa taisetsu na shunkan desu

Unit is an important moment.

結束 - means "union" or "cohesion".
は - Grammatical particle that indicates the theme of the sentence.
大切 - means "important" or "precious".
な - grammatical particle indicating an adjective.
瞬間 - means "moment" or "instant".
です - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

締め切りまであと一週間です。

Shimekiri made ato ichi shuukan desu

It's just a week before the deadline.

締め切り (shimekiri) - deadline
まで (made) - up until
あと (ato) - outstanding
一週間 (isshukan) - A week
です (desu) - is

脳は人間の最も重要な器官の一つです。

Nou wa ningen no mottomo juuyou na kikan no hitotsu desu

The brain is one of the most important organs of human beings.

脳 (nou) - brain
は (wa) - Topic particle
人間 (ningen) - Human being
の (no) - Possessive particle
最も (mottomo) - the most
重要な (juuyouna) - important
器官 (kikan) - organ
の (no) - Possessive particle
一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
です (desu) - to be