間|まma[0]heiban (flat)

1. nountime; pause
   鬼おにの居いぬ間まに洗濯せんたく。↗

   When the cat is away, the mice will play.
2. nounspace
3. nounroom

• Synonym休止きゅうしWrittenA suspension or rest of an activity, as in 「運転休止」「休止符」; leans formal, while 「間」 is the stretch of time paused.
• Synonym一切りひときりNeutralA stopping point or pause, but uncommon; everyday speech prefers 「一区切り」「一段落」, and it does not refer to a pause in speech.
• SynonymポーズNeutralAs a pause, it mostly means pauses in speech or music, or the pause button; more often it means a pose or putting on an act.
• Synonym中休みなかやすみNeutralA short break midway through work or activity, also the rainy season's 「中休み」; it stresses resting partway, which 「間」 does not imply.
• Related空間くうかんNeutralNot a true opposite: 「空間」 is broad or three-dimensional space, while 「間」 is the gap between two things — a difference of emphasis only.
• Related余裕よゆうNeutralNot a true opposite: a surplus of time, space, or composure, as in 「余裕がある」; 「間」 also has a sense of leeway, but without the nuance of ease.
• Related中断ちゅうだんNeutralFor a continuing thing cut off partway, as in 「会議が中断する」; the stress is on being interrupted, while 「間」 is the gap or pause between two things.
• Related一段落いちだんらくNeutralMarks a stage of work or affairs coming to a close, as in 「仕事が一段落する」; the point is completing a phase, not the interval itself.
• Related一休みひとやすみNeutralA short rest, as in 「ここで一休みしよう」; it is the act of resting, whereas 「間」 is the time freed up.
• RelatedブレイクNeutralLoanword for a break, mostly in 「コーヒーブレイク」; it also means becoming popular or a tennis service break, so it diverges widely from 「間」.
• Related隙間すきまNeutralA narrow gap between things, also scraps of spare time as in 「隙間時間」; leans toward physical crevices.
• Related絶え間たえまNeutralA break in something ongoing; it can stand alone as in 「雲の絶え間」, but most often appears in 「絶え間なく」 for unbroken continuity; 「間」 is not limited to interruptions.
• Related期間きかんNeutralA span from one point in time to another with clear start and end, as in 「試験期間」; 「間」 more often means a gap, pause, or beat.
• Related時間じかんNeutralTime in general, a moment, or hours, as in 「時間がない」; 「間」 can also mean a stretch of time but usually with a nuance of gap or timing.
• Related間隔かんかくNeutralThe distance or time interval between two things, as in 「間隔を空ける」; measurable and objective.
• Related空きあきNeutralAn empty space, vacant seat, or free time, as in 「空きがある」; it stresses being unoccupied, with no sense of beat or pause.
• Related間合いまあいNeutralThe right distance or timing, as in 「間合いを取る」 in martial arts or dialogue; more concerned than 「間」 with judging the proper measure.
• Related間断かんだんWrittenA written word used almost only as 「間断なく」, meaning continuing without a break; 「間」 is common in speech and can stand alone.
• Related幕間まくあいNeutralThe interval between acts of a play; limited to stage performances, while 「間」 fits all sorts of settings.
• Related隙すきNeutralA gap or crevice, but more often an unguarded moment or opening, as in 「隙を突く」「隙がない」; 「間」 carries no sense of a weakness to exploit.
• Related停止ていしNeutralMachines or operations coming to a stop, as in 「営業停止」「機械が停止する」; the stress is on stopping, not on a gap.
• Related空き間あきまNeutralNot a true opposite: an empty room or void; it overlaps with 「間」's room and gap senses but stresses being empty and ready for use.
• Related小止みこやみNeutralFor rain or wind briefly weakening or stopping, as in 「雨が小止みになる」; used of weather, not pauses in speech or action in general.
• Related途切れとぎれNeutralSomething continuous breaking off partway, as in 「話の途切れ」; the focus is the break itself, while 「間」 centers on the gap.
• Related途絶えとだえWrittenA temporary cutoff of something ongoing, such as contact or transport; mostly seen as the verb 「途絶える」. A written-style word.

Use 「間」 for the gap between two things or a pause in speech or action. For a measurable interval say 「間隔」; for a span with a set start and end, 「期間」; for something cut off partway, 「中断」; for taking a rest, 「一休み」. The other words are narrower: 「隙間」「隙」 for crevices and openings, 「幕間」 for theater intermissions, 「小止み」 for lulls in the rain, 「間断なく」「絶え間なく」 for unbroken continuity, while 「空間」「空き間」「余裕」 are not true opposites, just different in emphasis.

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）言葉ことばのやり取とりのタイミング。話はなす時ときに言葉ことばを言いわないでおく時間じかん。
5. （ま、あいだ、あわい）人ひとと人ひととの関係かんけい。
6. （ま）部屋へや。
7. （ま）めぐりあわせ、運うん、タイミング。