之间 zhījiān between
(after a noun) between; among; amid; used after certain bisyllabic words to form expressions indicating a short period of time, e.g. 弹指之间
How to remember 之间: 之 of + 间 room = between.
Characters
How it is used
- 之间 (zhījiān) attaches after two nouns joined by 和/跟, or after a single plural/bisyllabic noun, to mean 'between, among': 中国和美国之间 (Zhōngguó hé Měiguó zhījiān) - between China and the US.
- It also expresses a range: 三到五之间 (sān dào wǔ zhījiān) - between three and five.
- Compare 中间 (zhōngjiān), which more often means the physical middle point of a space, while 之间 emphasizes the relational space 'between' two or more entities, often abstract (relationships, ranges).
- In fixed four-character expressions like 一瞬之间 (yíshùn zhījiān, in an instant), it conveys a short span of time - a special idiomatic use worth memorizing as chunks.
Example sentences
- 我们之间肯定有误会。 Wǒmen zhījiān kěndìng yǒu wùhuì.There must be some misunderstanding between us.
- 你我之间需要来场谈话。 Nǐ wǒ zhījiān xūyào láichǎng tánhuà.You and I need to have a talk.
- 他们之间建立了深厚的友谊。 Tāmen zhījiān jiànlìle shēnhòu de yǒuyì.They have developed a deep friendship.