Translation guide
An interlude is a short intervening period of time, a break, or a pause between events. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on whether you mean a scheduled break during an event, a gap in conversation, a musical interlude, or a narrative digression.
A short rest or interval between parts of a performance, meeting, or activity.
General word for a break or rest period. Commonly used for intermissions in meetings, classes, or work.
会議の途中で10分の休憩を取りましょう。
Let's take a 10-minute interlude in the middle of the meeting.
Specifically the intermission between acts of a play, opera, or similar performance. More theatrical than 休憩.
幕間にロビーで飲み物を買った。
I bought a drink in the lobby during the interlude.
Loanword from English, used for intermission in concerts, movies, or theater. Sounds slightly formal or event-like.
映画のインターミッションでトイレに行った。
I went to the restroom during the movie's interlude.
A short silence or break in talking.
Refers to a pause, timing, or interval in speech or action. Often used in phrases like 間が空く (a pause occurs).
会話に長い間があった。
There was a long interlude in the conversation.
Literally 'silence.' Can imply an awkward or heavy pause, not just a neutral break.
A short piece of music played between sections of a song or performance.
Standard term for an instrumental interlude in a song.
この曲の間奏はピアノが美しい。
The piano in this song's interlude is beautiful.
A short, separate story or scene inserted into a larger narrative.
An inserted episode or anecdote within a story. Literary term.
小説に面白い挿話がいくつかある。
The novel has several interesting interludes.
Common loanword for a self-contained story or incident, often used for personal anecdotes or TV episodes.
A stretch of time between two events, often with a sense of waiting.
An interval or spare moment between activities. Very natural for 'in the interlude between tasks.'
仕事の合間にコーヒーを飲む。
I drink coffee in the interludes between work.
A gap or interval, often with a nuance of being caught between two things. More literary or abstract.
休憩 is the safest general word for a break. 幕間 is specifically for theater intermissions. インターミッション is a loanword used in formal event programs or announcements.
休憩時間は15分です。
The interlude is 15 minutes.
幕間にお手洗いへどうぞ。
Please use the restroom during the interlude.
インタールード is understood mainly in music contexts. Using it for a coffee break sounds unnatural. Stick to 休憩 or 合間 for everyday pauses.
気まずい沈黙が流れた。
An awkward interlude of silence passed.
Loanword used in music contexts, especially for album interludes or short connecting tracks.
アルバムのインタールードが雰囲気を変える。
The album's interlude changes the mood.
彼の人生の面白いエピソードを聞いた。
I heard an amusing interlude from his life.
I wander in the interlude between dreams and reality.