この間(あいだ)

このあいだ

adverb

the other day; recently; lately

1. the other day, recently

Refers to a relatively recent past time, usually within the past few weeks.

この間(あいだ)、田中(たなか)さんに会(あ)いました。

I met Tanaka-san the other day.

この間(あいだ)買(か)った本(ほん)はとても面白(おもしろ)かった。

The book I bought the other day was very interesting.

この間(あいだ)はありがとうございました。

Thank you for the other day. (for what you did recently)

Set expression of gratitude

この間(あいだ)見(み)た映画(えいが)がとても良(よ)かった。

The movie I saw the other day was really good.

この間(あいだ)話(はな)した件(けん)はどうなった？

What happened with what we discussed the other day?

この間(あいだ)どうも。

Thanks for the other day.

この間(あいだ)のパーティーは楽(たの)しかった。

The party the other day was fun.

2. lately, these past days

Can refer to a recent period of time rather than a specific day.

この間(あいだ)から風邪(かぜ)を引(ひ)いている。

I've had a cold since recently.

Referring to a period

この間(あいだ)忙(いそが)しかった。

I've been busy lately.

この間(あいだ)ずっと考(かんが)えていた。

I've been thinking about it for the past few days.

この間(あいだ) is a time expression meaning 'the other day' or 'recently.'

Position: Usually at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

[Register: Neutral]

Alternative reading: Can also be read as このかん when meaning 'during this time/interval' in more formal contexts.

Similar expressions:

この間(あいだ) vs. 最近(さいきん): 最近(さいきん) refers to a broader recent period; この間(あいだ) often refers to a specific recent occasion.
この間(あいだ) vs. 先日(せんじつ): 先日(せんじつ) is more formal; この間(あいだ) is neutral/casual.
この間(あいだ) vs. この頃(ごろ): この頃(ごろ) means 'these days' (ongoing); この間(あいだ) often refers to a past point.

Common expression: この間(あいだ)はどうも (Thank you for the other day - casual gratitude).

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