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:

半分の時間が経ちました。

Hanbun no jikan ga tachimashita

Half the time has passed.

The middle of the time has passed.

• 半分 (hanbun) - half
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 経ちました (tachimashita) - passed, took place

十日間休みを取ります。

Jūnichi kan yasumi o torimasu

I'm taking ten days off.

Take a day off for ten days.

• 十日間 (juunichikan) - ten days
• 休み (yasumi) - Time off, rest
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 取ります (torimasu) - take, remove, obtain

厚かましい人間は嫌われる。

Atsukamashii ningen wa kirawareru

Shameless people are hated.

Humans are hated.

• 厚かましい - shameless, shameless
• 人間 - Human being
• は - Topic particle
• 嫌われる - to be hated, to be detested

四日間休みが欲しいです。

Yokka kan yasumi ga hoshii desu

I want four days off.

I want a four-day break.

• 四日間 - "四日" em japonês.
• 休み - It means "rest" or "day off" in Japanese.
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 欲しい - Japanese verb that means "to want" or "to desire".
• です - The polite and respectful form of the verb "to be" in Japanese is "です" (desu).

天災は人間の力では防ぎきれない自然の力です。

Tensai wa ningen no chikara de wa fusegikirenai shizen no chikara desu

Natural disaster is a natural power that cannot be prevented by human power.

• 天災 - Natural Disasters
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possessive particle
• 力 - power, strength
• では - particle indicating negation or restriction
• 防ぎきれない - cannot be completely prevented
• 自然 - nature
• の - Possessive particle
• 力 - power, strength
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

寝間着を着て寝るのが好きです。

Nemaki o kite neru no ga suki desu

I like to sleep wearing my pajamas.

I like to sleep on a night -oup.

• 寝間着 - sleepwear
• を - object particle
• 着て - Verb "to dress" in the gerund
• 寝る - verb to sleep
• のが - nominalization particle
• 好き - adjective like
• です - verb to be in the present

平等は人間の基本的な権利です。

Heidou wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Equality is the basic law of humans.

• 平等 - equality
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

床の間には花瓶が置かれています。

Tokonoma ni wa kabin ga okarete imasu

A vase is placed between the floors.

• 床の間 - traditional Japanese alcove, usually located in a tatami room and used to display art or decorative objects
• には - Japanese particle indicating the location of something
• 花瓶 - vase of flowers
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 置かれています - Japanese verb meaning "placed" or "positioned"

弱ることは人間らしいことだ。

Yowaru koto wa ningen rashii koto da

It is human to weaken.

Waking is human.

• 弱ること - weaken, lose strength or vigor
• は - topic or subject marker particle
• 人間 - Human being
• らしい - similar to, typical of
• こと - thing, fact, event
• だ - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼は慈善活動に多くの時間とお金を施しています。

Kare wa jizen katsudō ni ōku no jikan to okane o hodokoshite imasu

He devotes a lot of time and money to charity.

He spends a lot of time and money in charity activities.

• 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he".
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 慈善活動 - Japanese word that means "charitable activities".
• に - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or target of the action.
• 多く - Japanese adverb that means "very".
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship.
• 時間 - Japanese word that means "time".
• と - Japanese particle that indicates joint or simultaneous action.
• お金 - Japanese word that means "money".
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 施しています - Japanese verb that means "to donate" or "to contribute," conjugated in the present continuous.