The Chinese word **民间** (mínjiān) is a compound formed by combining two characters: **民** (mín), meaning "the people" or "folk," and **间** (jiān), meaning "between," "among," or "within a space." Together, they construct a conceptual space **among the people** or **within the populace**, denoting anything that is non-official, grassroots, or popularly derived. It refers to the realm of civilian society, encompassing folk traditions, unofficial culture, popular activities, and non-governmental spheres, in contrast to what is state-sanctioned or institutional.