사이 (sa-i, sai) · 중간 (jung-gan, junggan)
'사이' indicates the relationship or gap between two things, while '중간' refers to the middle position between two points or within a range.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates the relationship, distance, or gap between two objects or people.
When to use
human relationships, physical gap, time interval, emotional relation
The nuance
Use '사이' to express the relationship or gap between two entities, including emotional or temporal connections, not just physical location.
Refers to the exact middle position between two points or within a range.
When to use
spatial middle, temporal middle, range midpoint
The nuance
Use '중간' when referring to the exact middle position in space or time; not used for emotional or relational contexts.
두 집 사이에 공원이 있어요.
du jip sa-i-e gong-won-i iss-eo-yo., du jip sa i e gong won i iss eo yo.
'사이' correctly indicates the physical gap between two houses.
두 집 중간에 공원이 있어요.
du jip jung-gan-e gong-won-i iss-eo-yo., du jip jung gan e gong won i iss eo yo.
'중간' correctly indicates the exact middle position between two houses.
우리 사이에 오해가 있어요.
u-ri sa-i-e o-hae-ga iss-eo-yo., u ri sa i e o hae ga iss eo yo.
'사이' appropriately expresses the emotional relationship between people.
우리 중간에 오해가 있어요.
u-ri jung-gan-e o-hae-ga iss-eo-yo., u ri jung gan e o hae ga iss eo yo.
'중간' is not used for emotional relationships, so this is incorrect.
회의는 오후 2시와 4시 사이에 열릴 거예요.
hoe-ui-neun o-hu 2si-wa 4si sa-i-e yeol-ril geo-ye-yo., hoe ui neun o hu 2si wa 4si sa i e yeol ril geo ye yo.
'사이' correctly indicates a time interval.
회의는 오후 2시와 4시 중간에 열릴 거예요.
hoe-ui-neun o-hu 2si-wa 4si jung-gan-e yeol-ril geo-ye-yo., hoe ui neun o hu 2si wa 4si jung gan e yeol ril geo ye yo.
'중간' correctly indicates the exact midpoint in time.
책상과 의자 사이에 가방이 있어요.
chaek-sang-gwa ui-ja sa-i-e ga-bang-i iss-eo-yo., chaek sang gwa ui ja sa i e ga bang i iss eo yo.
'사이' properly expresses the spatial gap between desk and chair.
책상과 의자 중간에 가방이 있어요.
chaek-sang-gwa ui-ja jung-gan-e ga-bang-i iss-eo-yo., chaek sang gwa ui ja jung gan e ga bang i iss eo yo.
'중간' correctly indicates the exact middle position between desk and chair.
Which word should be used to indicate relationships between people?
Which word is appropriate to express the exact middle of two times?
Which word cannot be used to talk about the gap between two objects?
Which word is appropriate to express an emotional misunderstanding?
