noun
A temporal gap or break in action, speech, or music; often used for timing in conversation or performance.
会話の間合いが絶妙だ。
The timing of the conversation is exquisite.
曲の間合いでドラムが入る。
The drums come in during the break in the song.
noun
Spatial distance or gap between things or people; often used in physical contexts like fighting or positioning.
相手との間合いを測る。
Measure the distance to the opponent.
車の間合いが狭すぎて通れない。
The gap between the cars is too narrow to pass.
noun
suitable time; right moment; appropriate opportunity
A favorable timing or chance to act; often used in strategic or conversational contexts.
話を切り出す間合いをうかがう。
Wait for the right moment to bring up the topic.
noun
distance between opponents (kendo)
Specific martial arts term for the engagement distance in kendo; also used in other combat sports.
剣道では間合いが勝敗を分ける。
In kendo, the distance between opponents determines victory or defeat.
Compound of 間 (ma, 'space, interval') and 合い (ai, 'meeting, fitting'), literally 'fitting interval'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since at least the Edo period in martial arts and later extended to general timing and distance.