幕(まく)間(あい)

まくあい

noun

intermission; interval

1. intermission between acts of a play

The break between acts or scenes of a play, opera, or other stage performance, when the curtain is down and the audience can rest.

幕間(まくあい)に飲(の)み物(もの)を買(か)った。

I bought a drink during the intermission.

幕間(まくあい)は二十分(にじゅっぷん)ある。

The intermission is twenty minutes long.

幕間(まくあい)にロビーで知(し)り合(あ)いに偶然(ぐうぜん)会(あ)った。

During the intermission, I happened to run into an acquaintance in the lobby.

Refers specifically to the pause between acts of a stage performance. The reading まくあい is standard; まくま is also heard. Originally a theater term from kabuki.

Common collocations

幕間(まくあい)に休憩(きゅうけい)する: to rest during the intermission
幕間(まくあい)の時間(じかん): the length of the intermission
幕間(まくあい)狂言(きょうげん): a short interlude piece performed between acts

Similar words

休憩(きゅうけい): break; rest — a general break, not tied to a performance
インターミッション: intermission — the loanword, used for films and concerts

Related Words

Compare: 休憩(きゅうけい) (break)

general

Added 2026.5.16 13:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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