之间

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 朋友之间应该互相信任。▶ —
   Friends should trust each other.
2. 两座城市之间有高速公路连接。▶ —
   The two cities are connected by a highway.

Collocations

Mnemonic

之 zhī (classical "of") + 间 jiān "between": between, among. The space among two or more, appended to a noun (朋友之间, between friends). 之 is the classical "of". Polyphone: 间 is jiān "between" (之间, 中间) but jiàn "gap" (间隔); here jiān. Distinguish 之间 (between) from 中间 (zhōngjiān, the middle/center).

Related

Quick check

1. What does 朋友之间 mean?

   • between friends
   • the middle seat of friends
   • one friend
   • a friend's room