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:

新入生は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Shinnyūsei wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

New students can take time to get used to a new environment.

• 新入生 - "new students"
• は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "new students".
• 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
• 環境 - It means "environment" in Japanese.
• に - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to" the new environment.
• 慣れる - It means "to get used to" in Japanese.
• のに - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a condition or a reason, in this case "to" get used to the new environment.
• 時間 - "tempo" means "time" in Japanese.
• がかかる - it's a Japanese expression that means "to take time" or "to be necessary time".
• こと - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an action or an event, in this case "to take time".
• あります - It is a polite way to say "there is" or "there are" in Japanese.

時間に限る。

Jikan ni kagiru.

Time is limited

Limited to time.

• 時間 (jikan) - time
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 限る (kagiru) - limit, restrict

時間が過ぎるのは早いですね。

Jikan ga sugiru no wa hayai desu ne

Time goes by fast

Time passes quickly.

• 時間 (jikan) - time
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 過ぎる (sugiru) - spend time)
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 早い (hayai) - fast, early
• です (desu) - Verb to be
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

時間が迫る。

Jikan ga semaru

Time is approaching.

• 時間 - time
• が - subject particle
• 迫る - approach, press, threaten

機械は人間の手を助けるものです。

Kikai wa ningen no te o tasukeru mono desu

Machines are made to help human hands.

Machines help human hands.

• 機械 - machine
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human
• の - Possessive particle
• 手 - hand
• を - direct object particle
• 助ける - to help
• もの - thing
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

民間企業は経済の発展に重要な役割を果たしています。

Minkan kigyou wa keizai no hatten ni juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu

Private companies play an important role in the development of the economy.

• 民間企業 - Private companies
• は - Topic particle
• 経済 - economy
• の - Possession particle
• 発展 - development
• に - target particle
• 重要 - important
• な - adjective particle
• 役割 - role/function
• を - direct object particle
• 果たしています - perform (verb)

溝を埋めるには時間がかかる。

Mizo wo umeru ni wa jikan ga kakaru

It takes time to fill the rhythm.

• 溝 (mizo) - means "ditch" or "channel"
• を (wo) - object particle
• 埋める (umeru) - means "fill" or "bury"
• には (niwa) - particle that indicates a condition or requirement
• 時間 (jikan) - means "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - means "to take time" or "to take a long time"

無能な人間はいない。

Munou na ningen wa inai

There is no human being without skills.

There is no incompetent person.

• 無能な - without skill, unable
• 人間 - Human being
• は - Topic particle
• いない - does not exist

眼球は人間の重要な器官です。

Gankyū wa ningen no jūyōna kikan desu

Eye is an important human organ.

• 眼球 (gankyuu) - Eye
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

瞬間を逃さずに生きよう。

Shunkan wo nogasazu ni ikiyou

Let's live without losing a single moment.

Let's live without losing the moment.

• 瞬間 (shunkan) - time
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 逃さずに (nogasazu ni) - without losing, without letting slip
• 生きよう (ikiyou) - let's live