其间 (qí jiān) — (formal) in between; during that period; (forma…

Definition

Written/formal 'in between' or 'during that period.' Use 期间 for a clearly marked time span, and 中间 for everyday 'in the middle.'

noun

(formal) in betweenduring that period(formal) in the meantime

其间。
Zhè xiē dà lóu qí jiān yǒu yì tiáo xiǎo lù.
There is a small path in between these buildings.
其间。
Tā zài dà xué qí jiān xué huì le rì yǔ.
He learned Japanese during his time at university.
，其间。
Nǐ děng yí xià, qí jiān wǒ qù dǎ gè diàn huà.
You wait a moment, and I'll go make a phone call in the meantime.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

其 points to the period just mentioned and 间 to its middle, giving during that time.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The modern form 其 comes from an early drawing of a basket, with a stand added underneath.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Appears in