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:

彼は冷酷な人間だ。

Kare wa reikoku na ningen da

He is a cruel person.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 冷酷 - Japanese adjective that means "cruel" or "ruthless".
• な - Japanese particle that functions as an adjective
• 人間 - Japanese noun that means "human being"
• だ - Japanese verb that means "to be"

忘れることは人間の本性です。

Wasureru koto wa ningen no honshou desu

Forgetting is human nature.

• 忘れること - forget
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 本性 - essential nature
• です - verb to be in the polite form

怠けると時間が無駄になる。

Namakeru to jikan ga muda ni naru

If you are lazy, your time will be wasted.

• 怠ける - verb that means "to be lazy"
• と - a particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "if"
• 時間 - noun meaning "time"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "time"
• 無駄 - noun that means "unnecessary," "useless"
• に - particle that indicates the state or condition of something, in this case, "in"
• なる - verb meaning "to become"
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

悠々とした時間が流れる。

Yuuyuu to shita jikan ga nagareru

A smooth time flows.

• 悠々とした - It means "serene" or "calm".
• 時間 - It means "time".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 流れる - It means "flow" or "pass".

悩むことは人間らしいことだ。

Nayamu koto wa ningen rashii koto da

Worrying is human.

Working is human.

• 悩む - It means "to worry" or "to be distressed" in Japanese.
• こと - it is a particle that indicates an action or event.
• は - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "悩むこと".
• 人間 - "human being" in Japanese.
• らしい - it is a suffix that indicates a typical or expected characteristic of something or someone.
• こと - again the particle that indicates an action or event.
• だ - it is an auxiliary verb that indicates the present affirmative form.

愉快な時間を過ごしましょう。

Yukai na jikan wo sugoshimashou

Let's have a nice time.

Let's have fun.

• 愉快な (yukai na) - Pleasant, fun
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• を (o) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 過ごしましょう (sugoshimashou) - let's pass, let's enjoy

感覚は人間の五感の一つです。

Kankaku wa ningen no gokan no hitotsu desu

Feeling is one of the five human senses.

The feeling is one of the five senses of humans.

• 感覚 - "sensation" in Japanese.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the theme of the sentence.
• 人間 - "human being" in Japanese.
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession.
• 五感 - "five senses"
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession.
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.

所定の時間に会議を開始します。

Shotei no jikan ni kaigi o kaishi shimasu

Let's start the meeting at the designated time.

We will start the meeting at the prescribed time.

• 所定の時間 (shotei no jikan) - designated time
• に (ni) - particle indicating time
• 会議 (kaigi) - meeting
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 開始します (kaishi shimasu) - start

手間を省くことが大切です。

tema wo habuku koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to save time and effort.

It is important to save time.

• 手間を省く - means "to save time and effort".
• こと - It is a particle that indicates that the previous phrase is a noun.
• が - it is a particle that indicates that the previous sentence is the subject of the following sentence.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - it is a polite way to assert something.

操作を覚えるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Sōsa o oboeru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

It may take some time to learn the operation.

• 操作 (sousa) - action, operation
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 覚える (oboeru) - remember, memorize
• のに (noni) - conjunction indicating a condition or reason
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - take time, delay
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, in this case "fact"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense