間
interval · space
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
surround from above: gate + sun
Cultural Context
Etymology
Sun/moon (日) visible through a gate (門). Gap, space between.
Symbolism
Negative space, relationships, aesthetics of 'ma'. Important concept in Japanese art.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
無間地獄
むけんじごく
the Avici hell (the eighth and most painful of the eight hells); hell of uninterrupted suffering; the Avici hell (the eighth and most painful of the eight hells)
反間苦肉
はんかんくにく
stratagem for causing a rift in the enemy camp by using a seditious plot; stratagem for causing a rift in the enemy camp by using a seditious plot
Proverbs & Idioms
人間万事塞翁が馬
にんげんばんじさいおうがうま
The old man and the horse
Fortune and misfortune are unpredictable
Poetry
難波潟 みじかき葦の ふしの間も あはでこの世を 過ぐしてよとや
Poem #19 from Hyakunin Isshu
秋風に たなびく雲の たえ間より もれ出づる月の かげのさやけさ
Poem #79 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 間 mean in Japanese?
間 means interval, space.
How do you read 間?
On'yomi: カン、ケン (KAN, KEN). Kun'yomi: あいだ、ま、あい (aida, ma, ai).
How many strokes does 間 have?
間 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 門 (gate).
Is 間 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 間 (interval, space) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for space