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:

一週間は七日間です。

Isshukan wa nananichikan desu

A week has seven days.

A week is seven days.

• 一週間 - A week
• は - Topic particle
• 七日間 - Seven days
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

三日間休みが欲しいです。

Mikka kan yasumi ga hoshii desu

I want three days off.

I want a three-day break.

• 三日間 (mikakan) - "三日" em japonês significa "três dias".
• 休み (yasumi) - It means "holiday" or "rest" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 欲しい (hoshii) - Japanese verb that means "to want" or "to desire"
• です (desu) - Japanese copula that indicates the present tense and the formality of the sentence.

中間試験は大変だった。

Chuukan shiken wa taihen datta

The intermediate exam was difficult.

• 中間試験 - mid-term exam
• は - Topic particle
• 大変 - difficult, arduous, laborious
• だった - Past tense of the verb "to be"

久しい間ずっと待っていた。

Hisashii aida zutto matteita

I waited a long time.

I've been waiting a long time.

• 久しい - adjective that means "long", "prolonged"
• 間 - noun that means "space", "interval"
• ずっと - adverb that means "always", "continuously"
• 待っていた - verb meaning "to wait", conjugated in the past and in the progressive form

五日間休みを取ります。

Gonichikan yasumi wo torimasu

I will take five days off.

Take a day off for five days.

• 五日間 (gokakan) - five days
• 休み (yasumi) - Time off, rest
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 取ります (torimasu) - take, remove, obtain

人間は皆平等である。

Ningen wa minna byoudou de aru

All human beings are the same.

All humans are flat.

• 人間 - "human being" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 皆 - means "everyone" or "everybody" in Japanese.
• 平等 - It means "equality" in Japanese.
• である - It is a formal way to say "is" or "are" in Japanese.

休憩時間が必要です。

Kyūkei jikan ga hitsuyō desu

We need time to rest.

You need a breakout time.

• 休憩時間 - Rest time
• が - subject particle
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

僅かな時間しかありません。

Wazuka na jikan shika arimasen

I only have a little time.

• 僅かな - adjective meaning "little", "scarce".
• 時間 - noun meaning "time".
• しか - particle indicating "only", "solely".
• ありません - verb in the negative form meaning "there is not", "there is not".

傷ついた心は癒えるまで時間がかかる。

Kizutsuita kokoro wa ieru made jikan ga kakaru

A heart wound takes time to heal.

The wounded heart takes time to heal.

• 傷ついた - bruised, injured
• 心 - heart, mind
• は - Topic particle
• 癒える - heal
• まで - up until
• 時間 - time
• がかかる - takes time, requires time

六日間休みを取ります。

Rokka kan yasumi wo torimasu

I'm taking six days off.

Take a break for six days.

• 六日間 - six days
• 休み - holiday
• を - object particle
• 取ります - take, remove, obtain