How to say "interval" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 間かんnoun, suffixWith the reading かん, this covers an interval as a period of time between events, as in scheduled gaps. It is a natural way to express a time interval in counted or measured contexts.
- 間あいだnounWith the reading あいだ, this covers the interval between things in space or time — the gap, space, or distance separating two items. It emphasizes what lies between two points rather than a measured span.
- 距離きょりnounThis is really 'distance' or 'range'; the gloss 'interval' applies to spatial intervals between two points. Use it when the interval is a measurable physical separation, not a stretch of time.
- 期間きかんnounThis covers an interval understood as a period or term — a defined stretch of time, such as a term of study or a contract period. It suits a duration rather than the gap between two events.
- 合間あいまno-adjectiveThis covers an interval as a short break or pause squeezed between busier stretches — a spare moment. It is the natural choice when 'interval' means a brief respite within a schedule.
Use 間（かん） for a time span between events, 間（あいだ） for gaps in space or time, 距離 for spatial intervals, 期間 for a stretch of time, and 合間 for short breaks.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 間かんinterval
- 間あいだspace (between)
- 距離きょりdistance
- 期間きかんperiod
- 合間あいまinterval
- 音程おんていinterval
- 絶え間たえまinterval
- 間隔かんかくspace
- 間合いまあいpause
- インターバルinterval
- 切れ間きれまinterval
- 中入りなかいりintermission (during a play, sumo, etc.)
- 隙間時間すきまじかんspare moment
- 区間くかんinterval
- 隙間すきまspare moment
- 隙すきbreak
- ピッチpitch (distance between evenly spaced things, e.g. gear teeth)
- 切れ目きれめpause
- 中なかinterval
- はざまinterval
- 刻みきざみinterval
- つなぎintermission
See also
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