Meanings of 間
By ear
Play it, then pick what 間 means.
About 間
Podcast: 間
Podcast: 間
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 間
空间 (kōngjiān) vs 间 (jiān): use 空间 when specifically referring to 'space' in a physical or abstract sense, while 间 emphasizes the notion of 'between' or 'among' in a relational context.
Be careful with the tone; it’s pronounced with a first tone (jiān). Common collocations include '時間' (shíjiān, time) and '空間' (kōngjiān, space). Avoid confusing 間 with 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see,' as they have different meanings and uses.
While 間 is not part of the official HSK levels, it connects well with other terms related to time and space, such as '时间' (shíjiān, time) and '空间' (kōngjiān, space). Focus on its various usages in sentences to grasp its versatility.
Learners often confuse 間 (jiān) with 間 (jiàn), which is a different character. For instance, saying '我在這間' (Wǒ zài zhè jiàn) to mean 'I am in this space' is incorrect; it should be '我在這裡的空間' (Wǒ zài zhè lǐ de kōngjiān).
Pronunciation of 間
Drill the tone of 間, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 間 to you
Let me explain 間 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 間 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 間?
Learning Lab
Knowing 間 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 間
Simplified form of 間. Depicts sunlight (日) shining through the gap in a door (門).
The sun 日 shining through a doorway 門
Origin
What kind of character is 間?
Decomposition of 間
Parts
Which of these is part of 間?
How to say between, among; midpoint; space, place, locality in Chinese
“between, among; midpoint; space, place, locality” in Chinese is間
The character 間 (jiān) primarily means 'between' or 'among,' indicating a spatial or temporal relationship. It can also refer to a 'midpoint' or 'space,' making it useful in various contexts such as describing distances, relationships, or intervals.
When to use 間
Be careful with the tone; it’s pronounced with a first tone (jiān). Common collocations include '時間' (shíjiān, time) and '空間' (kōngjiān, space). Avoid confusing 間 with 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see,' as they have different meanings and uses.
間 or something close to it
空间 (kōngjiān) vs 间 (jiān): use 空间 when specifically referring to 'space' in a physical or abstract sense, while 间 emphasizes the notion of 'between' or 'among' in a relational context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 間 (jiān) with 間 (jiàn), which is a different character. For instance, saying '我在這間' (Wǒ zài zhè jiàn) to mean 'I am in this space' is incorrect; it should be '我在這裡的空間' (Wǒ zài zhè lǐ de kōngjiān).
Write 間
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 間 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 間?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 間
Words with 間
What does 时间 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 間
You can say '我在兩個城市之間' (Wǒ zài liǎng gè chéngshì zhī jiān), meaning 'I am between two cities.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 間?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.