Translation guide
Expresses that something happens or is placed with spaces or periods of time in between. Covers both spatial and temporal spacing.
Describe objects arranged with gaps or at regular distances.
General pattern for doing something at intervals spatially. Literally 'with spacing opened'.
木を間隔をあけて植えた。
I planted the trees at intervals.
Specifically means 'at equal intervals'. Used when the spacing is uniform.
柱が等間隔に並んでいる。
The pillars are lined up at equal intervals.
Describes things scattered or dotted at intervals, often with a sense of sparseness.
家が点々と建っている。
Houses are built at intervals (here and there).
Describe events that occur repeatedly with pauses in between.
Means 'at regular intervals'. Used for both time and space, but very common for time.
バスは一定の間隔で運行している。
The buses run at regular intervals.
Means 'sometimes' or 'at intervals'. Less precise, implies occasional occurrence.
時々彼から連絡がある。
I hear from him at intervals.
Means 'intermittently' or 'at intervals'. Often used for things that stop and start.
雨が断続的に降っている。
It's raining at intervals.
Literally 'putting a space', used for temporal intervals. Common in instructions or descriptions.
間をおいてもう一度試してください。
Please try again after an interval.
間隔 (かんかく) specifically means 'interval' as a measurable gap. 間 (あいだ) is more general 'space between' or 'while'. For 'at intervals', 間隔 is more precise.
電車は5分間隔で来る。
Trains come at 5-minute intervals.