間
Meanings
Most often used as a suffix after a time expression to indicate the length of time: 三日間, 一週間, 二時間, etc.
It kept raining for three days.
The survey period is one month.
Used after nouns to mean between or among members, groups, countries, companies, and similar units; common in slightly formal or written compounds such as 両国間 and 社員間.
Negotiations between the two countries are continuing.
Information is shared among employees.
good opportunity; chance; opening
Rare, formal use referring to an opening or chance, especially in fixed or Chinese-style expressions such as 間に乗じる.
“間に乗じる” is a formal expression meaning to take advantage of a good opportunity.
estrangement; discord; alienation
Rare and old-fashioned as an independent noun; it refers to a breach, separation, or discord between people or groups, mainly in fixed literary-style phrasing.
“間を生ずる” is an old-fashioned way to say that discord or distance has arisen.
Rare clipped or literary use connected with 間諜. Modern Japanese normally uses 間諜 or スパイ instead.
See also: 間諜
In older contexts, “間” may be used as an abbreviation of “間諜,” meaning a spy.
Usage patterns
- 〈時〉の間にduring ~; while ~ (was happening)
I read a lot of books during summer vacation.
- 〈人〉と〈人〉の間でbetween two people or parties
The two of them discussed the problem between themselves.
- 〈数〉間attached after a number and unit to express a duration
I worked at that company for three years.