Readings: カン・ケン (Onyomi), あいだ・ま (Kunyomi)
Meaning: between, interval, space, gap
間 is an essential kanji used to describe time or space between things. It appears in words like 時間 (time), 人間 (human being), and 間に合う (be on time). A must-know for JLPT N5 learners.
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 門 (gate) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | カン・ケン (kan, ken) |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | あいだ・ま (aida, ma) |
How to Write – Stroke Order
間 is made of the radical 門 (gate) and the 日 (sun) inside it — representing “light through the gate” or a gap. It reflects space and time between events or objects.
- Start with 門 (the gate radical)
- Add 日 (the sun) in the middle
Example Sentences
Japanese: 10分間休みましょう。
Kana: じゅっぷんかんやすみましょう。
Romaji: Juppunkan yasumimashou.
English: Let’s take a 10-minute break.
Japanese: 二人の間に問題があります。
Kana: ふたりのあいだにもんだいがあります。
Romaji: Futari no aida ni mondai ga arimasu.
English: There is a problem between the two of them.
Japanese: 間に合ってよかったです。
Kana: まにあってよかったです。
Romaji: Maniaatte yokatta desu.
English: I’m glad I made it in time.
Vocabulary Using 間
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 時間 | じかん | time |
| 人間 | にんげん | human being |
| 間 | あいだ | between |
| 間に合う | まにあう | to be in time |
| 間違い | まちがい | mistake |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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