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)

Related Words

Synonym: 隙間(すきま) (gap, crack (physical))

Related: 休憩(きゅうけい) (break, rest)

general

Added 2026.1.16 18:40 · Revised 2026.6.8 5:04

05500/05708_aima