間|あいだaida[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounspace (between); gap; interval; distance; stretch
   彼かれはメアリーとトムの間あいだに座すわった。↗

   He was sitting between Mary and Tom.

   この列車れっしゃは東京とうきょうと大阪おおさかの間あいだを走はしります。↗

   This train runs between Tokyo and Osaka.
2. noun, adverbperiod of time (during, while); duration; interval
   彼かれは病気びょうきの間あいだすごい勇気ゆうきを示しめした。↗

   He showed great courage during his illness.

   あなたはどのくらいの間あいだ、神戸こうべに住すんでいますか。↗

   How long have you lived in Kobe?
3. nounbetween (two parties or things)
   ２人ふたりの指導者しどうしゃの間あいだには激はげしい意見いけんの衝突しょうとつがあった。↗

   There was a violent clash of opinions between the two leaders.

   彼かれは両りょう当事者とうじしゃの間あいだを調停ちょうていした。↗

   He mediated between the two parties.
4. nounamong (a group)
   テニスは学生がくせいの間あいだで大変たいへん人気にんきがある。↗

   Tennis is very popular among students.
5. nounrelations (between); relationship
   二人ふたりの間あいだがしっくり行いかない。↗

   They don't get along together.
6. nounmidpoint; average; halfway; middle ground
7. conjunctiondue to; because of

• Synonym隙間すきまNeutralA narrow gap between things, as in 「ドアの隙間」, or a brief spare moment; 「間」 is broader, covering the space between two things or a period of time.
• Synonym間隔かんかくNeutralDistance between two things or time between two events, as in 「間隔を空ける」; it centres on how long the separation is, while 「間」 centres on the middle itself.
• Synonym空きあきCasualColloquial: an empty seat or vacancy, as in 「席の空き」, also free time; it stresses that a place is not taken, while 「間」 is about lying between two things.
• Synonym隙すきNeutralA gap or crack, but more often a chance to exploit or an unguarded moment, as in 「隙を突く」「隙がない」; 「間」 has no sense of a weakness to exploit.
• Synonym隔たりへだたりWrittenWritten: distance or difference, also emotional estrangement, as in 「意見の隔たり」; it frames two sides as separated or differing, while 「間」 neutrally means between.
• SynonymスペースNeutralLoanword for usable space or a vacant spot, as in 「駐車スペース」, also the space between letters; it never refers to a period of time.
• Synonym空き間あきまNeutralA room sitting vacant for rent, or space with nothing in it; the point is that it is empty and usable, while 「間」 is the distance or time between things, not vacancy.
• Synonym間隙かんげきWrittenWritten word for a gap or crevice; 「間隙を縫う」 means slipping through an opening. It can also mean discord between people. 「間」 is more everyday and can span a period.
• Synonym空隙くうげきWrittenWritten term for a pore or void, often in technical use, as in 「空隙率」; everyday gaps are 「隙間」, and it does not refer to time.
• Synonym空所くうしょWrittenWritten word for a place left empty or unused; exam 「空所補充」 is fill-in-the-blank. It does not mean between two things or a period of time.
• Related空間くうかんNeutral「空間」 is three-dimensional space or extent, as in 「生活空間」「宇宙空間」; it is about how large an area is. A narrow crack is 「隙間」, not 「空間」; 「間」 is between two things.
• Related絶え間たえまNeutralA break in something continuous, as in 「雲の絶え間」; mostly seen in 「絶え間なく」. 「間」 carries no sense of interruption.
• Related期間きかんNeutralA span from one point in time to another, as in 「契約期間」, usually with clear start and end; 「間」 also covers periods but is more colloquial and looser.
• Related時間じかんNeutralTime, an hour or a moment, as in 「時間がない」; it centres on duration itself, while 「間」 centres on the stretch between two points or the while something lasts.
• Related中断ちゅうだんNeutralSomething in progress stopping part-way, as in 「試合中断」; the stress is on being cut off, while 「間」 has no sense of stopping.
• Related一段落いちだんらくNeutralReaching a natural stopping point, as in 「仕事が一段落する」; it marks the juncture where things settle, not an interval itself.
• Related休止きゅうしWrittenFormal: an activity pausing or stopping for a while, as in 「運転休止」「休止符」; 「間」 never denotes a stop.
• Related一息ひといきNeutralA brief pause for breath, as in 「一息入れる」, or a single breath; 「間」 has no sense of resting.
• Related間合いまあいNeutralThe distance between two opponents or the right timing, as in 「間合いを取る」; used in martial arts and dialogue, it is more about gauging the right measure than 「間」.
• Related間断かんだんWrittenWritten: gaps appearing mid-way, on and off; mostly with a negative, as in 「間断なく」「間断のない」. 「間」 is the everyday word and itself carries no sense of interruption.
• Related一休みひとやすみNeutralThe act of taking a short rest, as in 「ここで一休みしよう」; 「間」 is the middle in space or time, not a break taken.
• Related途切れとぎれNeutralThe moment something breaks off mid-way, as in 「会話の途切れ」; it focuses on the interruption itself, while 「間」 is the space or time between, with no sense of breaking.

For the space between two things or a stretch of time, 「間」 is the default. Use 「隙間」 for narrow cracks, 「間隔」 for distance or spacing between events, 「空き」 or 「スペース」 for vacant spots, and 「中断」「途切れ」 for breaks in what is ongoing.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （あいだ、ま、かん、あわい、あい、はざま、けん）二者にしゃ間かんの物理的ぶつりてきへだたりのこと。
2. （あいだ、ま、はざま、あい、かん）二者にしゃ間かんの時とき的まとへだたりのこと。
3. （あいだ、ま）二者にしゃ間かんの形而上けいじじょうのへだたりのこと。
4. （ま、あいだ、あわい）人ひとと人ひととの関係かんけい。
5. （あわい）色いろの調和ちょうわ。
6. （あいだ）日本人にほんじんの姓せいの一ひとつ。