noun
pause; interval of time; timing
Refers to a brief gap in time, a pause in speech or action, or the sense of timing in an interaction or performance.
少し間を置いてから、彼は答えた。
After a short pause, he answered.
会話に気まずい間ができた。
An awkward pause arose in the conversation.
noun
Used for physical spacing or a gap left between things or people, especially in phrases such as 間を空ける.
隣の人と間を空けて座ってください。
Please sit with some space between you and the person next to you.
noun
Often appears in compounds or set room names, especially for Japanese-style rooms, such as 茶の間, 奥の間, and 六畳間.
家族は夕食のあと茶の間でテレビを見た。
After dinner, the family watched TV in the living room.
二階の六畳間に布団を敷いた。
I laid out a futon in the six-tatami room upstairs.
時間 is the general word for time or duration; 間 read ま is more about a pause, interval, or timing.
隙間 means a narrow gap or crevice; 間 read ま can be broader spacing or an interval between people, things, or actions.
部屋 is the ordinary general word for a room; 間 read ま as 'room' is more often seen in compounds and traditional room names.
A native Japanese noun ま conventionally written with 間, a kanji associated with intervals and spaces. The exact historical derivation of the word is uncertain.