行間(ぎょうかん)

ぎょうかん
noun
line spacing; between the lines
1. line spacing; space between lines
The physical space between lines of text in writing or printing.
行間(ぎょうかん)を広(ひろ)げると読(よ)みやすくなる。
Widening the line spacing makes it easier to read.
このフォントは行間(ぎょうかん)が狭(せま)くて読(よ)みにくい。
This font has narrow line spacing and is hard to read.
レポートの行間(ぎょうかん)を1.5倍(ばい)に設定(せってい)してください。
Please set the report's line spacing to 1.5.
2. between the lines; implied meaning
The unstated or hidden meaning in text or speech, similar to 'reading between the lines' in English.
行間(ぎょうかん)を読(よ)む力(ちから)が大切(たいせつ)だ。
The ability to read between the lines is important.
彼女(かのじょ)のメールの行間(ぎょうかん)から不満(ふまん)が伝(つた)わってきた。
I could sense her dissatisfaction from reading between the lines of her email.
手紙(てがみ)の行間(ぎょうかん)に書(か)き手(て)の寂(さび)しさがにじんでいた。
The writer's loneliness seeped through the lines of the letter.

Composed of 行(ぎょう) (line/row) + 間(かん) (space/between).

SENSE 1 — LINE SPACING:
Used in publishing, word processing, and design.

SENSE 2 — IMPLIED MEANING:
Figurative, meaning the unstated implications behind words.

This figurative sense is especially important in Japanese culture, where indirect communication is valued.

general
Added 2026.1.19 13:35 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
07000/07324_gyoukan