晴れ間

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 晴れ間 (はれま) is a noun for either a brief break in rain or a patch of clear sky between clouds.
• Basic usage: It describes a temporary clear interval within otherwise rainy or cloudy weather, not necessarily a fully clear day.
  • 雨が弱まり、雲の間に晴れ間が見えた。 — The rain weakened, and a patch of blue appeared between the clouds.
  • 短い晴れ間を利用して洗濯物を外に干した。 — We used a brief break in the rain to hang the laundry outside.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Interval and patch of sky
  • Depending on context, 晴れ間 is a short rain-free period or the visible clear area between clouds. It does not require the weather to clear completely.