Meaning and Usage
"間隔" (かんかく) refers to the physical or temporal space between two points or events. It is commonly used to describe distances between objects, time gaps between activities, or intervals in patterns.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "間隔" when talking about safety gaps (like between a train and platform), scheduling (spacing meetings or breaks), or physiological rhythms (breathing or heartbeats).
Collocations and Patterns
- 間隔をあける: to leave a space or interval, often used in scheduling or physical spacing.
- 間隔が広い／狭い: describing the size of the gap, wide or narrow.
- 呼吸の間隔: breathing intervals, common in sports or health contexts.
Usage Notes
"間隔" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal situations. It is often confused with "距離" (distance), but "間隔" emphasizes the space or interval specifically between two points or moments, not just general distance. Remember to use it when focusing on the gap or interval itself rather than overall distance.