Translation guide
How to express the concept of spacing, intervals, gaps, and distance in Japanese, covering physical, temporal, and design contexts.
Describing the distance or gap between two or more physical things.
General term for interval, gap, or spacing between objects, events, or points in time. Neutral and widely used.
机の間隔をもう少し広げてください。
Please widen the spacing between the desks a little more.
木を植える間隔は50センチです。
The spacing for planting trees is 50 centimeters.
Refers to a narrow gap, crack, or crevice. Often implies an unintended or small space.
ドアの隙間から冷たい風が入ってくる。
Cold air comes in through the gap in the door.
本棚の隙間にほこりがたまる。
Dust accumulates in the gaps of the bookshelf.
Loanword for 'space', often used for layout, design, or available room. More casual than 間隔.
文字のスペースを均等にしてください。
Please make the spacing between characters even.
駐車スペースが狭い。
The parking space is narrow.
Referring to the time between events or actions.
Same word as for physical spacing; also the primary term for time intervals.
バスは10分間隔で運行しています。
Buses run at 10-minute intervals.
薬は4時間間隔で飲んでください。
Please take the medicine at 4-hour intervals.
Attach to a time period to mean 'every ~' or 'at intervals of ~'. Note: 1日おきに means 'every other day' (interval of one day between).
この電車は5分おきに来ます。
This train comes every 5 minutes.
1日おきにジムに行っています。
I go to the gym every other day.
Means 'every ~' or 'at each ~', emphasizing each occurrence rather than the gap. Often interchangeable with おきに but nuance differs.
3時間ごとに薬を飲む。
Take medicine every 3 hours.
Adjusting space between elements in visual or written design.
Specifically the spacing between characters (letters/kanji) in typography.
字間を詰めると読みにくくなります。
If you reduce the character spacing, it becomes hard to read.
Line spacing or leading in text.
Margins or blank space around content; white space.
Direct loanword for 'spacing', used in design/tech contexts but less common than native terms.
The emotional or physical distance kept between people.
General word for distance, used for both physical and metaphorical distance between people.
彼とは適度な距離を保っている。
I keep an appropriate distance from him.
ソーシャルディスタンスは社会的距離とも言います。
Social distancing is also called 'shakaiteki kyori'.
To put distance between oneself and someone else, often emotionally or to avoid conflict.
しばらく彼女と距離を置くことにした。
I decided to keep some distance from her for a while.
Originally a martial arts term for the distance between opponents; can metaphorically mean timing or personal space in interactions.
間隔 is a neutral, measurable interval or spacing. 隙間 implies a narrow, often unintended gap or crack. Use 間隔 for planned spacing, 隙間 for accidental or small openings.
The English phrase 'spacing out' (daydreaming) is not related to physical spacing. Use ぼんやりする or 上の空 (うわのそら) instead.
行間を広げて、読みやすくしましょう。
Let's increase the line spacing to make it easier to read.
Make the margins of the poster even.
Adjust the spacing with CSS.
He is good at maintaining the right distance with people.