Japanese word

この間

Pronunciation

Romajikonoaida

Meaning

  • adverbthe other day

Example

この間、友達と映画を見ました。ko no aida tomo dachi to ei ga o mi ma shi ta

The other day, I watched a movie with a friend.

Illustration for この間 (the other day)

More examples

この間、母と買い物に行きました。ko no aida haha to ka i mono ni i ki ma shi ta

The other day, I went shopping with my mother.

Core concept

Connects a current conversation with an event that happened a short time ago.

Similar words

この前konomae: Refers to a recent past occasion without stating the exact date.
こないだkonaida: Refers to a recent past time in casual speech without giving a precise date.
先日senjitsu: Refers to a recent past time in relatively polite or formal speech.

Definition in Japanese

現在からあまり遠くない過去の時点を表し、最近あったことを述べる語。gen zai ka ra a ma ri tō ku na i ka ko no ji ten o arawa shi sai kin a tta ko to o no be ru go

Word origin

この間 (kono aida) is formed from この (kono, "this") and 間 (aida, "interval"), so it presents the recent past as a nearby period of time.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a date such as yesterday, この間 (kono aida) leaves the exact time open and is useful when recalling a recent event in casual talk.

Other meanings

  • recentlyadverb
  • latelyadverb

Word lists with this word