间 is a Chinese character with HSK 1 on the new exam.
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
间 does not appear in oracle bone script. The original character was 閒, showing 月 (moon) between the panels of a gate 門, depicting moonlight shining through the crack of a closed door at night. The form was later reanalysed with 日 (sun) replacing 月, giving the now-standard 間 and simplified 间.
Form evolution
Bronze and seal forms show 月 clearly inside 門. By the clerical period the inner element had largely shifted to 日, producing 間 as the dominant standard form, though 閒 survived in classical texts with related meanings. The PRC simplification reduces 門 to 门, yielding 间, while 閒/闲 split off to carry the leisure sense.
How the meaning evolved
The original image of light coming through a gap gave the core meaning of a crack, interval, or space between things. It extended to periods of time (时间), physical rooms or compartments (房间), and the relationship between two parties (之间, 中间). Pronounced jiàn it takes on verbal senses like to separate or to spy on, as in 离间 and 间谍.
Cultural note
间 is one of the most common measure words in Mandarin, used for rooms, shops, and houses, as in 一间房 (one room). Learners often miss that 间 has two tones with distinct meanings: jiān for space or interval and jiàn for separation or gap, which is why 间谍 (spy) is read jiàndié not jiāndié.
Basic info
Example sentences
Words containing 间
On the new HSK 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Keep 间 with the rest of your level.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.