At the A1 level, learners encounter '〜間' (read as 'kan') primarily as a suffix for telling time. It is attached to numbers to indicate duration. For example, 'ichi-jikan' (one hour) or 'go-fun-kan' (five minutes). The focus here is simply on counting lengths of time rather than just naming a point on the clock. Students learn that 'san-ji' is '3:00', but 'san-jikan' is 'three hours'. This is a vital distinction for basic communication about schedules and daily routines. You will also see it in very simple phrases like 'yasumi-jikan' (break time). The goal is to understand that 'kan' adds the meaning of 'for a period of' to a basic time unit. At this stage, learners are not expected to use the complex 'A no aida' grammar, but should recognize it in common nouns.
At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '〜間' to include its reading as 'aida' to mean 'while' or 'during.' This is where the grammar becomes more relational. You start using the pattern 'Noun + no + aida' (e.g., 'natsuyasumi no aida') to describe things that happen throughout a specific period. You also learn to distinguish between 'aida' (the whole time) and 'aida ni' (a specific moment during that time). This is a key jump in fluency, allowing you to describe two things happening at once. You also learn to use 'Verb-te iru + aida' to say things like 'While I was waiting...' (matte iru aida). The focus is on connecting two clauses temporally and being able to describe durations of activities in past and present tenses accurately.
At the B1 level, the use of '〜間' becomes more nuanced. Learners are expected to use it fluently with various verb forms, including the dictionary form and the negative form ('~nai aida' — while something is not happening). You also start to encounter 'aida' in more abstract contexts, such as 'long periods of time' (nagai aida) or 'the space between people' (human relations). The distinction between 'aida' and similar structures like 'uchi ni' (while/before) or 'nagara' (while doing) becomes a major focus. B1 learners should be able to choose 'aida' for neutral, continuous time frames and use 'aida ni' for punctual events without hesitation. You also begin to see compound words and more formal suffixes like 'gekkan' (monthly duration) in media and reading materials.
At the B2 level, '〜間' is used in sophisticated ways to frame arguments and narratives. You will encounter it in formal writing and news reports to describe historical periods or economic cycles ('kono ju-nen-kan' — during these ten years). The focus shifts toward formal synonyms like 'kikan' or 'sai.' Learners explore the use of 'aida' as a noun meaning 'relationships' or 'intervals' in social science or technical contexts. You'll also learn more complex sentence structures where 'aida' acts as a pivot for contrasting two ongoing states. Mastery at this level involves understanding the stylistic choice between using a simple 'aida' versus a more formal 'kikan' or 'chuu' depending on the audience and the medium of communication.
At the C1 level, the learner explores the deep etymological and philosophical nuances of '間' (Ma/Aida). This includes the cultural concept of 'Ma'—the artistic and social use of silence or empty space. You will study how 'aida' functions in classical literature or high-level academic discourse to define spatial-temporal boundaries. The focus is on precision: using 'aida' to define exact legal or technical durations in contracts or research papers. You will also master rare idioms and expressions that use 'kan' or 'aida' to describe human psychology and social distance. At this stage, the suffix is no longer just a grammar point but a tool for expressing subtle shades of meaning regarding the 'space' between events, people, and ideas.
At the C2 level, mastery of '〜間' is total and instinctive. The speaker can navigate the most archaic or specialized uses of the kanji in legal, poetic, and philosophical texts. You understand the subtle differences between 'aida,' 'ma,' 'kan,' and 'ken' (all readings of 間) in various historical contexts. C2 learners can use the concept of 'Ma' in rhetorical strategies, knowing exactly when to emphasize duration to create tension or clarity. You can analyze the evolution of the suffix from its roots in Old Japanese to its modern applications in digital time-tracking. Communication is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing '〜間' to weave complex temporal layers into speech and writing with perfect grammatical and cultural accuracy.

〜間 30秒了解

  • Used to express the duration of time (hours, weeks, etc.) using the reading 'kan'.
  • Used to express 'while' or 'during' a period using the reading 'aida'.
  • Requires the particle 'no' when following a noun (e.g., yasumi no aida).
  • Distinguishes between the 'entire duration' (aida) and a 'point within' (aida ni).

The Japanese suffix 〜間 is a cornerstone of temporal expression in the Japanese language, functioning as a vital bridge to describe durations, intervals, and the concept of 'while' or 'during.' Depending on its reading—typically kan when attached to counters or aida when used as a relational noun—it defines the space between two points in time. For an English speaker, mastering this suffix is essential because Japanese distinguishes between a specific point in time (like 'at three o'clock') and the length of time (like 'for three hours') much more strictly than English does.

Duration of Time (Kan)
When read as kan, it follows counter words to indicate a span of time. For example, 時間 (jikan) means 'hours,' and 週間 (shuukan) means 'weeks.' Without this suffix, you are often just naming a number or a specific calendar point rather than describing the length of an activity.
State of 'During' (Aida)
When read as aida, it functions to describe a continuous state or action that occurs throughout a period. It is used with nouns (plus the particle no) or verbs in the continuous form to say 'while I was...' or 'during the...'

夏休みの、ずっと北海道にいました。
(Natsuyasumi no aida, zutto Hokkaido ni imashita.)
I was in Hokkaido the whole time during summer vacation.

People use 〜間 in almost every facet of life. In business, it defines project timelines; in casual conversation, it describes how long one slept or waited; and in literature, it sets the temporal stage for narrative events. It provides the 'container' for an action. If you imagine time as a line, 〜間 represents the segment of that line rather than a single dot on it. This distinction is crucial for CEFR A2 learners who are moving beyond simple 'when' questions into describing processes and habits.

Understanding the kanji character itself () helps visualize the meaning. It depicts the sun () seen through the gap of a gate (). This originally referred to a physical gap or space between objects, but over centuries, it evolved to encompass 'space in time.' This is why it is also used in words like 仲間 (nakama), meaning 'friends' or 'comrades'—literally people within the same 'space' or circle.

三時、本を読みました。
(San-jikan, hon o yomimashita.)
I read a book for three hours.

Social Context
In Japanese culture, time is often viewed as a shared space. Using 〜間 correctly shows respect for the shared timeline of an event. For instance, thanking someone for the 'time' spent together often uses aida or kikan to acknowledge the duration of their effort.

Using 〜間 correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement, which changes slightly depending on whether you are using it as a duration suffix or a temporal conjunction. It follows a predictable pattern of 'A no aida' for nouns and 'Verb-iru aida' for actions. The primary goal is to establish a temporal frame for the main clause of your sentence.

Pattern 1: Noun + の + 間 (aida)
When you want to say 'during [noun],' you use the possessive particle no. This is common with events like vacations, meetings, or specific periods like 'childhood.'
Example: 会議の間 (Kaigi no aida) — During the meeting.
Pattern 2: Verb (Dictionary/Continuous) + 間 (aida)
When using verbs, the state must be continuous. Typically, verbs in the ~te iru form are used to show an ongoing action. If you use the dictionary form, it implies the entire duration of that potential action.
Example: 待っている間 (Matte iru aida) — While waiting.

母が寝ている、私は勉強しました。
(Haha ga nete iru aida, watashi wa benkyou shimashita.)
While my mother was sleeping, I studied.

A critical distinction for A2 and B1 learners is the difference between 間 (aida) and 間に (aida ni). Using aida alone means the action in the second half of the sentence lasted for the entirety of the time period described in the first half. If the action was just a quick moment within that period, aida ni is mandatory.

一週、ずっと雨が降っていました。
(Isshuukan, zutto ame ga futte imashita.)
It rained continuously for one week.

When describing physical space, 間 (aida) is also used. 'Between A and B' is A to B no aida. While this is a spatial use, the grammar remains identical to the temporal use. This helps learners realize that in the Japanese mindset, time is just another dimension of space that things exist 'between.'

Common Counter Suffixes
  • 秒間 (byou-kan): for X seconds
  • 分間 (fun-kan): for X minutes
  • 日間 (nichi-kan): for X days (often just nichi is used)
  • 月間 (gekkan): for the duration of a month (often used in magazine titles)

The suffix 〜間 is omnipresent in Japanese society, from the rhythmic announcements on train platforms to the casual banter of friends at a cafe. Because Japanese culture places a high value on punctuality and the specific duration of events, you will hear this word constantly as a way to clarify expectations and schedules.

In train stations, you will frequently hear: 'Densha wa go-fun-kan teisha shimasu' (The train will stop for five minutes). Here, the 〜間 suffix provides the necessary duration that allows passengers to know if they have time to buy a drink or use the restroom. Without the kan, the sentence might sound like the train is stopping at 'five minutes' (an impossible time), rather than for a duration.

「お待たせしました。長い、ありがとうございました。」
(O-matase shimashita. Nagai aida, arigatou gozaimashita.)
'Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for [waiting] a long time.'

In the workplace, 〜間 is used to define 'periods' of focus. A manager might say, 'Kono kikan wa isogashii desu' (This period is busy), referring to a specific span of weeks or months. In television broadcasts, you'll hear 'CM no aida ni...' (During the commercial break...), signaling to the viewer that the main program is temporarily paused but something else is happening in that interval.

Anime and drama fans will often hear characters say 'Shibaraku no aida...' (For a while...). This is a common way to indicate a character is going away or a situation will remain unchanged for an indefinite but significant period. It adds a sense of narrative weight to the passage of time.

Daily Life Examples
- **Cooking:** 'Ju-ppun-kan yudete kudasai' (Please boil for 10 minutes).
- **School:** 'Yasumi-jikan' (Recess/Break time).
- **Hospital:** 'Menkai-jikan' (Visiting hours).

Finally, in the digital age, you'll see 〜間 on loading screens (Road-chu no aida...) or in app settings for 'Do Not Disturb' periods. It is the universal Japanese way to delineate 'the time from now until then.'

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 〜間 is failing to distinguish between the 'entire duration' and a 'point within a duration.' In English, we use 'during' for both, but Japanese is much stricter. This is the difference between aida and aida ni.

Mistake 1: Confusing 'Aida' and 'Aida ni'
If you say 'Natsuyasumi no aida, hon o kaimashita,' it sounds like you were continuously buying books every second of the vacation. You should say 'aida ni' because buying a book is a single action within that timeframe.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'No' with Nouns
English speakers often say 'Kaigi aida' instead of 'Kaigi no aida.' Remember that aida is grammatically a noun, so it needs the possessive no to connect to another noun.

❌ 昼休みの間、電話しました。
✅ 昼休みの間に、電話しました。
(I made a phone call *during* my lunch break.)

Another common error involves confusing 〜間 (aida) with 〜うちに (uchi ni). While both can translate to 'while,' uchi ni has a nuance of 'before the situation changes' or 'while the opportunity lasts.' Use aida for neutral descriptions of time, and uchi ni when there is a sense of urgency or a limited window.

Finally, be careful with counters. Forgetting the 〜間 (kan) suffix when talking about duration is a major error. Saying 'San-ji benkyou shimashita' means 'I studied at 3:00,' whereas 'San-jikan benkyou shimashita' means 'I studied for three hours.' This one little syllable changes the entire meaning of your sentence.

In Japanese, several words describe time and duration. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are focusing on the start/end points, the feeling of the time passing, or the specific opportunity within that time.

〜間 (Aida) vs. 〜中 (Chuu/Juu)
Aida is a neutral duration. Chuu (e.g., kaigi-chuu) means 'currently in the middle of' and is often used as a status indicator. Juu (e.g., ichinichi-juu) means 'all throughout' or 'all over,' emphasizing that something happened without exception across the entire span.
〜間 (Aida) vs. 〜うちに (Uchi ni)
Aida is purely about the timeframe. Uchi ni suggests that if you don't do the action now, the chance will disappear. 'While the coffee is hot' is koohi ga atsui uchi ni, because it will eventually get cold.

Comparison:
1. 休みの日の間、寝ていました。(I slept during the holiday - neutral).
2. 休みの日のうちに、掃除します。(I'll clean while it's still the holiday - before work starts).

Another alternative is 〜期間 (kikan). While kan is a suffix for specific units (hours, weeks), kikan is a noun meaning 'period' or 'term.' It is used more formally, such as 'subscription period' (koudoku kikan) or 'test period' (shiken kikan).

For very formal or technical contexts, you might see 〜際 (sai) or 〜にあたって (ni atatte). These are much higher level (N2/N1) and refer to 'on the occasion of' or 'at the time of a significant event,' whereas aida remains the most common, everyday word for duration.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

The concept of 'Ma' in Japanese culture is famous worldwide in architecture and music, referring to the 'pregnant silence' or the space that gives meaning to the objects around it.

发音指南

UK /aɪ.da/ or /kæn/
US /aɪ.də/ or /kæn/
In 'aida', the pitch usually starts high on 'ai' and drops on 'da'. In 'jikan', the pitch rises on 'kan'.
押韵词
Maida (Name) Spider (English) Pan (English) Ran (English) Dan (English) San (Japanese) Ban (Japanese) Han (Japanese)
常见错误
  • Pronouncing 'aida' as 'ay-dah' (should be 'eye').
  • Over-emphasizing the 'n' in 'kan'.
  • Confusing the pitch of 'jikan' (duration) with 'jikan' (time point).
  • Making the 'i' in 'aida' too long.
  • Dropping the 'n' sound entirely in 'kan'.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

The kanji is common but has two distinct readings (kan/aida) and meanings.

写作 3/5

The kanji 間 is moderate difficulty; the gate radical is easy, but the center part varies.

口语 3/5

Choosing between 'aida' and 'aida ni' is a common hurdle for intermediate speakers.

听力 2/5

Easy to hear, though it can be confused with 'aida ni' if the particle is mumbled.

接下来学什么

前置知识

時 (Toki) 中 (Chuu) 時間 (Jikan) 休み (Yasumi) 待つ (Matsu)

接下来学习

〜うちに (Uchi ni) 〜ながら (Nagara) 期間 (Kikan) 最中 (Saichuu) 〜際 (Sai)

高级

瞬く間に (Matataku ma ni) 束の間 (Tsukanoma) 行間 (Gyoukan) 合間 (Aima)

需要掌握的语法

Noun + の + 間

休みの間、本を読みました。

Verb (~te iru) + 間

待っている間、スマホを見ました。

Aida vs Aida Ni

寝ている間(ずっと) vs 寝ている間に(一回)

Time Duration Suffixes

三時間、一週間、二日間

A to B no aida (Spatial)

机と椅子の間にペンがあります。

按水平分级的例句

1

三時間、勉強しました。

I studied for three hours.

jikan = hours (duration)

2

五分間、待ってください。

Please wait for five minutes.

fun-kan = minutes (duration)

3

一週間、休みです。

It's a holiday for one week.

shuukan = weeks (duration)

4

二日間、旅行に行きました。

I went on a trip for two days.

nichi-kan = days (duration)

5

休み時間は何時ですか?

What time is the break time?

yasumi-jikan = break time (compound noun)

6

十秒間、数えてください。

Please count for ten seconds.

byou-kan = seconds (duration)

7

一ヶ月間、日本にいました。

I was in Japan for one month.

kagetsu-kan = months (duration)

8

長い間、待ちました。

I waited for a long time.

nagai aida = long time (adjective + aida)

1

夏休みの間、海に行きました。

During summer vacation, I went to the sea.

Noun + no + aida (during)

2

テストの間、静かにしてください。

Please be quiet during the test.

Noun + no + aida

3

母が料理している間、私はテレビを見ました。

While my mother was cooking, I watched TV.

Verb-te iru + aida (simultaneous continuous actions)

4

寝ている間に、雨が降りました。

While I was sleeping, it rained.

aida ni = a point within a duration

5

留守の間に、友達が来ました。

While I was out, a friend came over.

rusu (absence) + no + aida ni

6

ご飯を食べている間、携帯は見ません。

While eating a meal, I don't look at my phone.

Verb-te iru + aida

7

一時間の間に、三回電話がありました。

Within one hour, there were three phone calls.

Duration + no + aida ni

8

子供が小さい間、とても忙しかったです。

While the children were small, I was very busy.

Adjective + aida

1

知らない間に、もう夜になっていた。

Before I knew it (while I didn't know), it was already night.

shiranai (negative verb) + aida ni

2

独身の間に、たくさん旅行をしたいです。

While I am single, I want to travel a lot.

Noun + no + aida ni (opportunity/period)

3

彼を待っている間、ずっと本を読んでいました。

I was reading a book the whole time I was waiting for him.

aida (entire duration) + zutto (continuously)

4

日本にいる間に、富士山に登りたい。

While I am in Japan, I want to climb Mt. Fuji.

iru (state) + aida ni

5

雨が降らない間に、買い物に行きましょう。

Let's go shopping while it's not raining.

nai-form + aida ni

6

会議の合間に、コーヒーを飲みました。

During the intervals of the meeting, I drank coffee.

合間 (aima) = intervals/gaps

7

若い間に、色々な経験をすべきだ。

You should have various experiences while you are young.

i-adjective + aida ni

8

この一ヶ月の間、ずっと体調が悪かった。

During this past month, I have been feeling unwell the whole time.

aida (entire duration)

1

工事の間、この道は通れません。

During the construction, this road cannot be used.

Formal usage of aida for public notices.

2

長い間ご無沙汰しております。

It has been a long time since we last spoke (formal).

Set phrase for formal greetings.

3

その二つの事件の間には、何らかの関連があるようだ。

There seems to be some connection between those two incidents.

Spatial/Logical 'between' used abstractly.

4

大学を卒業してから就職するまでの間、何をしましたか?

What did you do during the interval between graduating and starting work?

kara... made no aida (the interval between X and Y).

5

選手たちは試合の合間に、作戦を練り直した。

The players re-evaluated their strategy during the breaks in the game.

aima (intervals) used in a professional context.

6

彼女が話している間、彼は一言も発さなかった。

While she was speaking, he did not utter a single word.

Emphasizing total duration of silence.

7

契約期間の間は、解約することができません。

During the contract period, cancellation is not possible.

Redundant but common formal emphasis: kikan no aida.

8

人間関係の間には、適度な距離が必要だ。

A proper distance is necessary within human relationships.

Abstract spatial use of aida.

1

束の間の休息を楽しんだ。

I enjoyed a brief moment of rest.

Tsukanoma = a fleeting moment (literary).

2

生と死の間に、何があるのだろうか。

What lies between life and death?

Philosophical use of aida.

3

その法案は審議の間に、大幅に修正された。

The bill was significantly amended during the deliberations.

Formal institutional usage.

4

二人の間には、言葉にできない深い絆がある。

There is a deep bond between the two of them that cannot be put into words.

Abstract relational use.

5

沈黙の間に、緊張が高まっていった。

Tension mounted during the silence.

Duration of a state (silence).

6

彼は十数年間の海外生活を経て、帰国した。

He returned home after living abroad for over a decade.

Ju-suu-nen-kan = a duration of ten-plus years.

7

瞬きする間もなく、その車は走り去った。

The car sped away before I could even blink (in the time it takes to blink).

Idiomatic expression of extreme speed.

8

幕間の休憩に、パンフレットを読んだ。

During the intermission (between acts), I read the pamphlet.

Makuai = intermission (the space between curtains).

1

日本文化における「間」の美学は、西洋のそれとは一線を画す。

The aesthetics of 'Ma' (space/interval) in Japanese culture are distinct from those in the West.

Ma as a high-level cultural concept.

2

行間に込められた著者の真意を汲み取る。

To read between the lines and grasp the author's true intent.

Gyoukan = between the lines (metaphorical).

3

星々の間に広がる虚空に、思いを馳せる。

To contemplate the void that spreads between the stars.

Cosmic spatial use.

4

その伝統は数世紀もの間、脈々と受け継がれてきた。

That tradition has been passed down continuously for several centuries.

Emphasizing historical continuity.

5

政治家としてのキャリアの間、彼は常に清廉潔白であった。

Throughout his career as a politician, he was always beyond reproach.

Career-long duration.

6

夢と現の間に、彼は微睡んでいた。

He was dozing in the space between dreams and reality.

Poetic/Literary usage.

7

瞬く間に、世界は一変してしまった。

In the blink of an eye, the world changed completely.

Matataku-ma-ni = common but high-level idiom for speed.

8

都市の喧騒の合間に、ふと静寂が訪れる。

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, a sudden silence falls.

Aima used for contrasting sensory experiences.

常见搭配

長い間
三時間
一週間
知らない間に
瞬く間に
休みの間
会議の間
寝ている間
短い間
その間

常用短语

しばらくの間

— For a while. Used to describe an indefinite but significant period.

しばらくの間、お休みします。

束の間

— A fleeting moment. Used to describe a very short, precious time.

束の間の休日を楽しんだ。

合間を縫って

— Finding time in between. Used when doing something amidst a busy schedule.

仕事の合間を縫って、勉強する。

長い間待たせる

— To keep someone waiting for a long time. A common apology.

長い間お待たせして申し訳ありません。

一年間

— For one year. Used for school terms or contracts.

一年間、日本語を勉強しました。

昼休みの間

— During lunch break. Common in work and school contexts.

昼休みの間に、銀行へ行きます。

留守の間

— While away from home. Used when asking someone to watch the house.

留守の間、犬の世話をお願いします。

移動の間

— During transit. Used when talking about what one does on trains or planes.

移動の間、音楽を聞きます。

今の間

— For the time being / For now. Often used to describe a temporary state.

今の間は、これで大丈夫です。

二人の間

— Between the two people. Refers to their relationship or secret.

これは二人の間の秘密です。

容易混淆的词

〜間 vs 〜うちに

Uchi ni implies a deadline or opportunity, while aida is a neutral duration.

〜間 vs 〜ながら

Nagara is for the same person doing two things; aida can be for different people.

〜間 vs 〜時 (toki)

Toki is a point in time; aida is the interval of time.

习语与表达

"瞬く間に"

— In the blink of an eye. Describes something happening very fast.

瞬く間に夏が終わった。

Literary
"行間を読み取る"

— To read between the lines. Understanding the hidden meaning.

著者の行間を読み取るのは難しい。

Academic/Literary
"間が持たない"

— Awkward silence / Not knowing what to do with the time.

初対面だと、話が続かなくて間が持たない。

Colloquial
"間がいい"

— To have good timing. Being lucky with when things happen.

彼はいつも間がいい時に来る。

Informal
"間が抜ける"

— To look stupid or out of place due to bad timing.

そんな格好をすると、間が抜けて見えるよ。

Informal
"間違い"

— A mistake (literally: the space between is different).

答えに間違いがあります。

Neutral
"床の間"

— An alcove in a traditional Japanese room where art is displayed.

床の間に掛け軸を飾る。

Cultural
"死ぬ間際"

— On the verge of death / The moment before dying.

彼は死ぬ間際に真実を話した。

Dramatic
"茶の間"

— A traditional living room where the family gathers to drink tea.

茶の間で家族とテレビを見る。

Domestic
"貸間"

— A room for rent.

この家には貸間があります。

Formal/Dated

容易混淆

〜間 vs 時間 (Jikan)

Both refer to time.

Jikan is the noun for 'time' or 'hours'. Aida is the conjunction for 'while'.

時間はありますか? (Do you have time?) vs 待っている間 (While waiting).

〜間 vs 期間 (Kikan)

Both mean 'period'.

Kikan is a formal noun. Aida is more flexible and can be used as a particle-like conjunction.

契約期間 (Contract period) vs 寝ている間 (While sleeping).

〜間 vs 最中 (Saichuu)

Both mean 'during'.

Saichuu emphasizes 'right in the middle of a specific peak action,' often implying an interruption.

食事の最中に電話が鳴った。(The phone rang right in the middle of my meal.)

〜間 vs 中 (Chuu)

Both mean 'during/while'.

Chuu is a suffix for states (kaigi-chuu). Aida is for durations or 'while' clauses.

会議中 (In a meeting) vs 会議の間 (During the meeting).

〜間 vs 間 (Ma)

Same kanji.

Ma usually refers to timing, pause, or physical space. Aida usually refers to temporal duration.

間が悪い (Bad timing) vs 三時間 (Three hours).

句型

A1

[Number] + 時間

二時間勉強します。

A2

[Noun] + の間

冬休みの間、スキーをしました。

A2

[Verb-te iru] + 間

友達を待っている間、本を読みました。

B1

[Verb-te iru] + 間に

お風呂に入っている間に、電話がありました。

B1

[Verb-nai] + 間に

忘れない間に、メモをしてください。

B2

[Adjective] + 間

若い間は、たくさん失敗してもいい。

C1

[Event] + の合間に

仕事の合間に、深呼吸をする。

C2

[Noun] + と [Noun] + の間

理想と現実の間で、彼は悩んでいる。

词族

名词

間 (Aida/Ma) - Space/Interval
期間 (Kikan) - Period
時間 (Jikan) - Time/Hour
空間 (Kuukan) - Space/Void
仲間 (Nakama) - Comrades

动词

間に合う (Maniau) - To be in time
間違う (Machigau) - To make a mistake

形容词

間近 (Majika) - Near/Imminent

相关

時計 (Tokei) - Clock
距離 (Kyori) - Distance
暇 (Hima) - Free time
最中 (Saichuu) - In the midst of
時期 (Jiki) - Season/Phase

如何使用

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, media, and business.

常见错误
  • 三時勉強しました。 三時間勉強しました。

    Without 'kan', you are saying you studied 'at 3:00' instead of 'for three hours'.

  • 休み間、旅行しました。 休みの間、旅行しました。

    You need the particle 'no' to connect two nouns.

  • 寝ている間、一度起きました。 寝ている間に、一度起きました。

    Since waking up is a one-time event, you must use 'aida ni' instead of 'aida'.

  • 食べながらテレビを見ている間... テレビを見ている間...

    Using 'nagara' and 'aida' together is redundant. Choose one based on who is doing the action.

  • 一週間で三回行きました。 一週間の間に三回行きました。

    While 'de' is sometimes used, 'no aida ni' is more precise for 'within the span of a week'.

小贴士

The Particle 'No'

Always use 'no' when connecting a noun to 'aida'. 'Kaigi aida' is wrong; 'Kaigi no aida' is correct. This is because 'aida' is grammatically a noun.

Natural Flow

When using 'aida' with verbs, the '~te iru' form is the most natural because it emphasizes the continuous nature of the time frame.

Identifying 'Kan'

If you hear a number followed by 'kan', you are hearing a duration. This is crucial for understanding travel times or deadlines.

Kanji Precision

The kanji 間 has many strokes. Focus on drawing the 'gate' (門) first, then the 'sun' (日) inside. Make sure they are balanced.

The Power of Silence

Remember that 'Ma' (the same kanji) refers to silence. In Japanese, the 'aida' (space) between sentences is often where the most meaning is felt.

Contextual Reading

If 間 is at the end of a time word (like 週間), read it as 'kan'. If it stands alone or follows 'no', read it as 'aida'.

Compound Words

Learning words like 'nakama' (friends) or 'ningen' (human) helps you see how 'aida' (space between) defines Japanese social concepts.

JLPT Focus

The JLPT often tests the difference between 'aida' and 'aida ni'. Look at the second verb: if it's continuous, use 'aida'; if it's a one-time action, use 'aida ni'.

Interchangeability

While 'aida' and 'toki' are similar, 'aida' is better for long durations, while 'toki' is better for specific ages or moments.

The Sun Gate

Think: 'The sun is in the gate for a duration of time.' This links the kanji components directly to the meaning.

记住它

记忆技巧

Imagine the sun (日) shining through a gate (門). The light creates a 'space' or 'interval' between the two doors. That space is 'Aida' (the time during which light shines).

视觉联想

Picture a calendar with a long red line connecting Monday to Friday. That line is the 'kan' (duration) of the work week.

Word Web

Time Space Between During While Duration Interval Gap

挑战

Try to use 'aida' and 'aida ni' in the same sentence to describe your lunch break today. For example: 'During my lunch break, I ate a sandwich while I was reading.'

词源

The kanji 間 consists of 門 (gate) and 日 (sun). Originally, it depicted the moon (月) shining through a gate, but the sun (日) character replaced it over time.

原始含义: A gap or space where light can shine through a gate.

Sino-Japanese (On-yomi: Kan/Ken, Kun-yomi: Aida/Ma).

文化背景

Be careful when using 'aida' to describe relationships; implying a 'gap' can sometimes mean distance or estrangement if used incorrectly.

English speakers often ignore the 'space' in time, focusing on points. Learning 'aida' helps you slow down and describe the 'landscape' of time.

The 'Ma' concept in Studio Ghibli films (Hayao Miyazaki's use of quiet scenes). Traditional Noh theater where timing and 'ma' are critical. The song 'Aida' (Verdi), though unrelated, can be a phonetic anchor.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Travel Planning

  • 一週間の旅行
  • 移動の間
  • 滞在期間
  • 三日間の休み

Work/Business

  • 会議の間
  • 昼休みの間に
  • 営業時間
  • プロジェクトの期間

Daily Routine

  • 待っている間
  • 寝ている間に
  • 勉強の時間
  • ご飯の間

School/Learning

  • 夏休みの間
  • 授業の間
  • テスト期間
  • 休み時間

Socializing

  • 二人の間
  • 長い間
  • 仲間の間
  • 短い間

对话开场白

"夏休みの間、どこかに行きましたか? (Did you go anywhere during summer vacation?)"

"待っている間、何をしていますか? (What do you do while waiting?)"

"一週間の間に、何回スポーツをしますか? (How many times a week do you play sports?)"

"子供の間、どんな遊びが好きでしたか? (What kind of games did you like while you were a child?)"

"仕事の合間に、何を飲むのが好きですか? (What do you like to drink during work breaks?)"

日记主题

今日の一日の間に、一番楽しかったことは何ですか? (What was the most enjoyable thing during your day today?)

長い間、続けている趣味について書いてください。 (Write about a hobby you have been doing for a long time.)

日本語を勉強している間、大変だったことはありますか? (What has been difficult while you have been studying Japanese?)

旅行の間に、見た景色を説明してください。 (Describe the scenery you saw during your trip.)

寝ている間に見た、不思議な夢について書いてください。 (Write about a strange dream you saw while sleeping.)

常见问题

10 个问题

Use 'aida' when the second action lasts for the entire duration of the first action. Use 'aida ni' when the second action happens only once or momentarily within that period. For example, 'I slept the whole time' vs 'I woke up once'.

Yes, you can! For example, 'wakai aida' (while young) or 'atsui aida' (while it is hot). It describes the period during which that adjective's state is true.

Yes, when counting hours, you must use 'jikan'. If you just say 'san-ji', it means '3:00'. If you say 'san-jikan', it means 'three hours'.

'Nagara' is used when one person does two things at the exact same time (like singing while walking). 'Aida' is used to set a time frame, and the subjects of the two actions can be different.

Yes, 'A to B no aida' means 'between A and B' in a physical sense. The grammar is exactly the same as the temporal use.

Yes, 'nai aida ni' means 'while X is NOT happening' or 'before X happens'. For example, 'ame ga furanai aida ni' (while it's not raining).

The most common way is 'nagai aida'. You can also say 'nagai jikan' if you are focusing specifically on the hours spent.

Yes, 'futari no aida' can refer to the relationship or a secret between two people.

'Aima' (合間) refers to the small gaps or intervals in a busy schedule. It is often used like 'work intervals' or 'breaks in the rain'.

Yes, 'fun-kan'. However, in casual speech, people often drop the 'kan' for minutes (e.g., 'go-fun' instead of 'go-fun-kan'), but for hours, 'jikan' is almost always used.

自我测试 200 个问题

writing

Write 'I studied for two hours' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'Please wait for ten minutes' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'one week' using kanji.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'During summer vacation, I went to the sea' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'While my mother was sleeping, it rained' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'between the house and the station' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'Before I knew it, it became night' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'I want to travel while I am young' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'While it's not raining, let's go' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'During the construction, please be careful' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'It has been a long time (formal)' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'contract period' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'fleeting moment' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'in the blink of an eye' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'read between the lines' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'the aesthetics of Ma' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'between life and death' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'social world/public eye' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'bad timing' in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

Write 'human relationship' using 'aida'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'I study for 5 hours' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'Wait for 1 minute' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'One week holiday' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'While eating, I don't talk' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'During the meeting, I slept' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'While I was out, it rained' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'I want to go to Japan while I have money' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'Before I knew it, he was gone' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'I read a book during work breaks' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'Thank you for everything for a long time' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'The road is closed during construction' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'There is a secret between us' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'It was just a fleeting moment' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'The world changed in the blink of an eye' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'You should read between the lines' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'I worry about the eyes of society' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'The timing was bad' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'The space between dreams and reality' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'Human relationships are complex' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

Say 'During the intermission, let's talk' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: 3 hours.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: 1 week.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: 10 minutes.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: During vacation.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: While sleeping.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Between A and B.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Before I knew it.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Long time.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: While young.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Contract period.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Human.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Fleeting moment.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Blink of an eye.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Society.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

Listen and identify: Intermission.

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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