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:

短縮することで時間を節約できます。

Tanshuku suru koto de jikan wo setsuyaku dekimasu

You can save time by going down.

• 短縮する - shorten, reduce
• ことで - Through, by means of
• 時間 - time
• を - direct object particle
• 節約 - economy, savings
• できます - it can be done, it is possible

短期間で学ぶことができる

Tanki kan de manabu koto ga dekiru

You can learn in a short period of time

• 短期間 - Short period
• で - particle that indicates the means or the manner
• 学ぶ - learn
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できる - Be able to

社交は人間関係を築くために重要な要素です。

Shakou wa ningen kankei o kizuku tame ni juuyou na youso desu

Socialization is an important factor in building relationships.

• 社交 - "interação social" em japonês significa 社会的相互作用 (しゃかいてきそうごさよう).
• 人間関係 - "人間関係" em japonês.
• 築く - "Construir" em japonês significa 建設する (けんせつする, kensetsu suru).
• ために - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the purpose of something, in this case, "for".
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese.
• 要素 - It means "element" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

私は自分自身を篭って考える時間が必要です。

Watashi wa jibun jishin o komotte kangaeru jikan ga hitsuyōdesu

I need time to collect myself and think.

I need time to think and think about myself.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分自身 (jibun jishin) - expression meaning "oneself"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 篭って (kagotte) - gerund verb meaning "to be isolated"
• 考える (kangaeru) - verb meaning "to think"
• 時間 (jikan) - noun meaning "time"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私は長時間働いた後にはばてる。

Watashi wa choujikan hataraita ato ni wa bateru

I get exhausted after working for a long time.

After working for a long time.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 長時間 (choujikan) - noun meaning "long period of time"
• 働いた (hataraita) - past tense verb meaning "I worked"
• 後に (ato ni) - expression meaning "after"
• はばてる (habateru) - verb meaning "to be exhausted"

私は几帳面な人間です。

Watashi wa kichoumen na ningen desu

I am a meticulous person.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 几帳面 (kichoumen) - adjective that means "methodical," "organized"
• な (na) - particle that connects the adjective with the noun
• 人間 (ningen) - noun that means "human being"
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in the present, indicating an affirmation

私は間違いを戻す必要がある。

Watashi wa machigai o modosu hitsuyō ga aru

I need to undo a mistake.

I need to make a mistake.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 間違い (machigai) - means "mistake" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 戻す (modosu) - means "return" in Japanese
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - means "necessary" or "essential" in Japanese
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• ある (aru) - verb meaning "to exist" in Japanese

私は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakarimasu

It takes time to get used to a new environment.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
• 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
• に - Japanese particle that indicates action towards something or a place.
• 慣れる - Japanese verb that means "to get used to"
• のに - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or objective of an action.
• 時間 - Japanese noun that means "time"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• かかります - Japanese verb meaning "to take time."

私たちは間に合うように頑張ります。

Watashitachi wa maniau you ni ganbarimasu

We will do our best to arrive on time.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 間に合う - "to be able to do on time" in Japanese
• ように - particle indicating "so that" or "so that" in Japanese
• 頑張ります - "let's make an effort" in Japanese

私たちは一緒に素晴らしい時間を過ごしました。

Watashitachi wa issho ni subarashii jikan o sugoshimashita

We had a wonderful time together.

We had a wonderful time together.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
• 素晴らしい - "素晴らしい"
• 時間を - "Tempo" in Japanese
• 過ごしました - "Passamos" in Japanese is "私たちは通りました" (Watashitachi wa toorimashita).