间谍
jiàn dié · HSK 7
spy
🕵️ 间 = gap/in-between + 谍 = espionage; a spy works in the gaps between sides
间 (jiàn) means a gap or the space between two things; 谍 (dié) is the classical word for an espionage agent or secret report. Together: someone slipping through the gap between two camps to gather secrets.
间 — gate 門 + sun 日 (originally moon 月)
Originally written 閒, showing the moon 月 shining through a gate 門 — the gap or space between the doors. The moon was later replaced by 日 (sun), giving the modern 间. The core meaning 'space/interval between' extended to time intervals, rooms, and the measure word for buildings.