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

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:

間もなく電車が来ます。

Mamonaku densha ga kimasu

Soon the train will arrive.

The train will arrive soon.

• 間もなく - shortly
• 電車 - train
• が - subject particle
• 来ます - flower

間々に休憩を取りましょう。

Mamama ni kyuukei wo torimashou

Let's take regular breaks.

Let's take a coffee break.

• 間々に - adverb that means "every now and then"
• 休憩 - noun meaning "pause", "rest"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 取りましょう - verb that means "let's take off," "let's do"

間違えることは人間らしい。

Machigaeru koto wa ningen rashii

To err is human.

It seems human to make a mistake.

• 間違える - verb that means "to err"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 人間 - noun that means "human being"
• らしい - suffix that indicates "seems to be" or "characteristic of"

間接的な影響は大きいです。

Kansetsuteki na eikyou wa ookii desu

The indirect impact is great.

• 間接的な - adjective meaning "indirect"
• 影響 - noun meaning "influence"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 大きい - adjective meaning "big"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

間隔が狭いところは人が集まるのを避けるべきです。

Makaku ga semai tokoro wa hito ga atsumaru no o sakkeru beki desu

You should avoid gathering people when the gap is narrow.

• 間隔 - space, interval
• が - subject particle
• 狭い - narrow, tight
• ところ - place
• は - Topic particle
• 人 - person
• が - subject particle
• 集まる - Meet, join
• のを - particle that indicates direct object
• 避ける - avoid
• べき - it should
• です - polite way to be or to stay

隙間から風が入ってきます。

Sukima kara kaze ga haitte kimasu

The wind goes through the crack.

The wind comes from the gap.

• 隙間 - means "space" or "openness".
• から - is a particle that indicates the origin or starting point of something.
• 風 - It means "wind".
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 入って - is the verb form of the verb "entrar" in the present tense and continuous mode.
• きます - is the verb form of the verb "vir" in the present tense and polite mode.

衣食住は人間の三大欲求です。

Ishokujuu wa ningen no sandai yokkyuu desu

Clothing

Clothing and shelter are the three main needs of human beings.

• 衣食住 - clothing, food, and housing
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 三 - three
• 大 - large
• 欲求 - desire, necessity
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

自由は人間の基本的な権利です。

Jiyuu wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Freedom is a fundamental right of human beings.

Freedom is the basic right of humans.

• 自由 - freedom
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 基本的な - basic
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私たちは多くの時間を費やしてこのプロジェクトを完成させました。

Watashitachi wa ōku no jikan o tsuiyashte kono purojekuto o kansei sasemashita

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

We spent a lot of time and completed this project.

• 私たちは (watashitachi wa) - We
• 多くの (ooku no) - Many
• 時間を (jikan o) - Time
• 費やして (tsuiyashite) - Expense
• この (kono) - This one
• プロジェクトを (purojekuto o) - project
• 完成させました (kansei sasemashita) - We concluded

生存は人間にとって最も基本的な欲求の一つです。

Seizon wa ningen ni totte mottomo kihonteki na yokkyū no hitotsu desu

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

• 生存 - survival
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 最も - the most
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 欲求 - wish
• の - of
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is