合間(あいま)

あいま
noun
interval; gap; between
1. interval; gap; between
A break or pause between activities; spare time during a busy schedule.
仕事(しごと)の合間(あいま)にコーヒーを飲(の)む。
I drink coffee between work tasks.
授業(じゅぎょう)の合間(あいま)に友達(ともだち)と話(はな)した。
I talked with friends between classes.
合間(あいま)を見(み)つけて勉強(べんきょう)する。
I study whenever I find spare moments.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 仕事(しごと)の合間(あいま)に: between work tasks
  • 合間(あいま)を見(み)つける: to find spare time
  • 合間(あいま)を縫(ぬ)って: squeezing in between (activities)
  • ちょっとした合間(あいま)に: during a brief interval

NUANCE:
合間(あいま) emphasizes using small pockets of time productively or for brief activities.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 間(あいだ): between, interval (more general)
  • 休憩(きゅうけい): break, rest
  • 隙間(すきま): gap, crack (physical)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:40 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05708_aima