[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Time-and-Space # 间 jiān between; among ## Components [[门 mén]] [[门 (mén)]] [[日 rì]] [[日 (rì)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "间" (jiān) is commonly used to denote space, intervals, or relationships. It appears in words like "中间" (zhōngjiān - middle), "空间" (kōngjiān - space), and "瞬间" (shùnjiān - moment). Additionally, it can signify estrangement or discord, as seen in words like "离间" (líjiān - to sow discord). ## History The character "间" (jiān) was formed later, and in ancient texts, it was written as "閒". It's a compound ideogram, originally depicting the crack between doors. In bronze script, the lower part of the character resembles a door, and above it is the character "月" (yuè), suggesting that one can faintly see the moon through the crack, indicating the original meaning of "间" as a narrow gap. Today, we commonly use it in words like "中间" (zhōngjiān - middle), "空间" (kōngjiān - space), "人间" (rénjiān - human world), and "瞬间" (shùnjiān - moment). "间" is a polyphonic character and is also pronounced as "jiàn", meaning interval, later extended to imply estrangement, such as "离间" (líjiān - to sow discord) between two people's relationship. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[间 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[间 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[间 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[间 reg.svg]]