Definitions

jiān (preposition) between; among; within
jiān (noun) room; space
jiàn (noun) gap; interval
jiàn (verb) to separate; to divide

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts sunlight () shining through the gap in a door ().

About

The character "间", traditionally written as "間", incorporates the radical "門" for door and the component "日" for sun, visually representing sunlight penetrating a doorframe to convey the idea of a gap or interval. This structure aligns with its etymological basis in denoting a physical space between objects, which originally informed its meaning as a separation or crevice. Over time, the character's semantic scope extended from spatial references to include temporal concepts like moments or durations, and further to abstract applications such as denoting conditions or participation. The simplified form "间" retains the elements "门" and "日", continuing the same conceptual representation. The character also developed verbal senses, such as to separate or to sow discord, and nominal uses for subdivisions like rooms or compartments.

Example Sentences Hide

我的房很大。

Wǒ de fángjiān hěn dà.

My room is very big.

这个房有窗户。

Zhège fángjiān yǒu chuānghu.

This room has a window.

我没有时了。

Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān le.

I don't have time anymore.

他坐在中

Tā zuò zài zhōngjiān.

He sits in the middle.

我们之是朋友。

Wǒmen zhī jiān shì péngyǒu.

Between us, we are friends.

里的灯突然灭了。

Fángjiān lǐ de dēng túrán miè le.

The light in the room suddenly went out.

每棵树之都有隔。

Měi kē shù zhī jiān dōu yǒu jiàngé.

There is an interval between every tree.

在短时内,他完成了任务。

Zài duǎn shíjiān nèi, tā wánchéng le rènwù.

In a short time, he completed the task.