What it means
間 means the period or space separating two things. With a noun, it commonly describes a period during which something continues or the space between two places, people, or objects. With a verb in the ている form, it means “while” or “during the time that.” The phrase usually describes an ongoing situation or a defined interval, and the main clause can be in either a familiar or polite style.
Usage note
After a noun, の is normally required before 間. 間に is used when an event happens at some point during an interval, while 間 without に more often describes an action or state continuing throughout that interval.
How to use it
駅と図書館の間に小さな公園があります。
There is a small park between the station and the library.
夏休みの間、毎朝公園を走りました。
Every morning during summer vacation, I ran in the park.
母が料理している間、私は宿題をしました。
While my mother was cooking, I did my homework.
駅と図書館の間に小さな公園がある。
There is a small park between the station and the library.
夏休みの間、毎朝公園を走った。
Every morning during summer vacation, I ran in the park.
母が料理している間、私は宿題をした。
While my mother was cooking, I did my homework.
Example sentences
駅と図書館の間に小さな公園があります。
There is a small park between the station and the library.
夏休みの間、毎朝ラジオ体操をしました。
During summer vacation, I did radio calisthenics every morning.
授業と授業の間に、廊下の窓を開