Meanings of 間
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About 間
Podcast: 間
Podcast: 間
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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 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
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
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 間
Simplified form of 間. Depicts sunlight (日) shining through the gap in a door (門).
- 1The giveawayThe sun 日 shining through a doorway 門
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 間? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 間?
Decomposition of 間
Identify the Components
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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
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Practice writing 間 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 間
Compound Meaning
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.'
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