Chinese word

人间

Pronunciation

Pinyinrén jiān

Meaning

  • nounthis world

Example

人间没有绝对的公平。rén jiān méi yǒu jué duì de gōng píng

There is no absolute fairness in this world.

Illustration for 人间 (this world)

More examples

在人间，我们互相照顾。zài rén jiān wǒ men hù xiāng zhào gù

In this world, we take care of one another.

Core concept

A broad human sphere that includes both the people in it and the social life they create.

Common phrases

  • 在人间zài rén jiān

    in this world

  • 人间的事rén jiān de shì

    worldly affairs

Similar words

世界shì jiè: The whole world viewed as a place or broad region, including its countries.
社会shè huì: The organized community life and social relationships that people create together.

Definition in Chinese

指人类生活和活动的世界，即人们居住、相互交往的世俗社会。zhǐ rén lèi shēng huó hé huó dòng de shì jiè jí rén men jū zhù xiāng hù jiāo wǎng de shì sú shè huì

Word origin

The compound 人间 (rénjiān, "the human world") joins 人 (rén, "person") with 间 (jiān, "space") to name the sphere in which people live.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this noun often sounds more poetic than neutral, so it appears especially in reflective writing, songs, and fixed expressions.

Other meanings

  • humanitynoun
  • societynoun

Opposites

  • 来世lái shìthe afterlifenoun
  • 彼岸bǐ ànthe other shorenoun

Related words

  • 人间天堂rén jiān tiān tángparadise on earthnoun
  • 人间疾苦rén jiān jí kǔthe sufferings of the peoplenoun

Word lists with this word