间

jiān

HSK 2

间 — jiān

1. between; among; within (a definite time or space)

   我们在两栋楼之间有一条小路。 wǒmen zài liǎngdòng lóu zhījiān yǒu yītiáo xiǎolù — There is a small path between the two buildings.

2. room; section of a building or a lateral space between supports

   这间教室很明亮。 zhèjiān jiàoshì hěn míngliàng — This classroom is very bright.

3. classifier for rooms (e.g., 一间房)

   我租了一间公寓。 wǒ zū le yījiān gōngyù — I rented an apartment (one unit).

间 — jiàn

1. gap; space; interval

   门和地板之间有一条缝。 mén hé dìbǎn zhījiān yǒu yītiáo fèng — There is a gap between the door and the floor.

2. to separate; to thin out (seedlings); to make a gap

   春天要间苗，留壮株。 chūntiān yào jiànmiáo liú zhuàng zhū — In spring you should thin out the seedlings and keep the strong ones.

3. to sow discontent; to make people dissatisfied

   他到处散布谣言，想间同事的关系。 tā dàochù sànbù yáoyán xiǎng jiān tóngshì de guānxì — He spread rumors everywhere, trying to sow discord among colleagues.