間まを空あける

also: あいだをあける

Meanings

expression, ichidan verb

to leave space (between)

Used for creating physical or temporal gaps between objects, events, or people. Often used in instructions or descriptions of arrangement.

車くるまと車くるまの間あいだを空あけて駐ちゅう車しゃしてください。
Please park leaving space between the cars.
予よ定ていの間あいだを空あけておいたほうがいい。
You should leave some time between appointments.

Written forms

間を空ける
- まをあける
  Standard kanji spelling; 空ける is the most common kanji for 'to leave space'.
- あいだをあける
  Alternate reading あいだ for 間; slightly more formal or emphatic than ま.
間を開ける
- まをあける
  Alternate kanji spelling; 開ける can also mean 'to open', but is used here for 'to leave space'.
- あいだをあける
  Alternate reading あいだ with alternate kanji 開ける.
間まをあける
Kana spelling for 間; common in everyday writing.
あいだをあける

Kanji

間interval, space
開open, unfold, unseal
空empty, sky, void

Similar words

間かん隔かくを空あける
More formal and technical; often used for precise intervals or spacing.
隙すき間まを空あける
Focuses on leaving a small gap or crack, often unintentional or for ventilation.

Etymology

Compound of 間 (ma, 'space, interval') + を (object marker) + 空ける (akeru, 'to empty, leave vacant'). The kanji 空ける implies making something empty or available, while 開ける (akeru, 'to open') is also used but less precise for this meaning.