1.
distance between vehicles; following distance; gap between cars
The space between one vehicle and the one in front of or behind it, especially while driving.
Short for 車間距離 (inter-vehicle distance). Both forms are common, but 車間 alone is more conversational. A practical word for anyone driving in Japan — you will see it on highway signs and hear it in driving school.
Common collocations
- 車間距離: following distance (full form)
- 車間を取る: to keep distance between vehicles
- 車間を詰める: to close the gap between vehicles
- 車間が狭い: the gap between cars is too narrow
- 十分な車間: sufficient following distance