間

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: In this entry, 間 is read あいだ and expresses the space between things or a span of time.
• Basic usage: It is used for a location between two places or for living somewhere during a vacation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Between places
  • In 駅と図書館の間に, と joins the two reference points before the phrase locates something between them.
• 間 and 間に
  • Temporal 間 readily accompanies an ongoing activity over a period, while 間に often identifies something happening within that period. 夏休みの間、祖父の家で暮らした focuses on living there over the vacation.