Spaces and intervals with 間
間 means the “space between” things (whether physical space or time), the “relationship” between people, and also a “pause” or “interval”, as in something occurring without interruption.
Etymology
This kanji is a variant of 閒, an ideogrammic compound comprised of 門 (gate) and 月 (moon). The image is of the moon seen through the opening of a gate, emphasizing the visible gap or opening between the doors.
Spaces and Intervals
人間 (Human being)
人間 is used in three main ways, depending on the context: (1) humanity itself, (2) a specific person or individual, or (3) character or personality.
It combines 人 (person) with 間 (between) to show human beings living among one another.
Alicia and Akari visit an island that’s modeled after part of Japan back on Earth. There, an elderly local woman tells the two of the fox spirits that visit the human world there. Akari is excited at the prospect of meeting one, but the old woman gives her a warning: on rare occasion, a fox will take a person back home with them.
- おばあさん:
- 「神さまの世界と人間の世界は違うやさかい」
- “The god world and the human world are different.”
- 「連れて行かれたらあかん」
- “Therefore, it is bad to follow along.”
- “The god world and the human world are different.”
やさかい has a meaning like だから.
昼間 (Daytime)
昼間 refers to the daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, or from morning to evening.
It combines 昼 (daytime) with 間 (interval) to show the span of the day.
Since Hiyori is resting on a bed inside, Junpei takes a plate from the barbecue to her room. As he walks in, he finds Hiyori and Yuushin in what looks like a compromising position.
- 淳平:
- 「…お前ら昼間っから （カギかけるよなー）」
- “You guys, in the middle of the day… (At least lock the door!)”
- 結心:
- 「ち ちがう 誤解だ！！（そい寝だから！！）」
- “N—No! You've got it wrong!! (We were just lying down together!)”
- ひより:
- 「見られた… 見られた…っ」
- “We were seen… We were seen…!”
時間 (Time)
時間 refers to a single moment in the flow of time, or the duration or interval between two points in time.
It combines 時 (time) with 間 (interval) to show a measured span of time.
After a traffic accident sends Hiyori to the hospital, she misses the first few months of the school year. Once she’s finally able to attend, an embarrassing situation occurs, and she runs out of the classroom and hides. Yuushin tracks her down, and Hiyori tells him she should never have come to school.
- ひより:
- 「ケガなんて とっくに治ってたの…」
- “I'd already healed from my injuries.”
- 「たげと… 時間が経てば経つほど教室に入るのがこわくなってーー…」
- “But, the more time passed, the more scary it became to return to class.”
- “I'd already healed from my injuries.”
手間 (Time and effort)
手間 refers to the time and effort (the work involved) spent on accomplishing something.
It combines 手 (hand) with 間 (interval) to show the time and labor taken up by the hands.
Hinagiku wants to see behind Rindou’s mask. Since Sazanka was scolded for trying the same, Hinagiku suggests they team up to take Rindou’s mask away. Asagao opposes the proposition, but Sazanka immediately quiets her by offering a bribe for her support.
- ヒナギク:
- 「ふーん。そっちでアサガオ買収してくれるなんて、ノリ気じゃない。」
- “Hmm. If you're willing to bribe Asagao on your side, you're pretty into this, aren't you?”
- 「私の術で言うこときかせる手間が省けたわ。」
- “Saves me the trouble using my technique to make her do as I say.”
- “Hmm. If you're willing to bribe Asagao on your side, you're pretty into this, aren't you?”