between
gb/bɪtwˈin/ us/bɪtwˈin/
A1
English
~ 200
között, közé, a kettő között, középen
A1
1
Usage pattern:
between [something] and [something]
The ball rolled between the chairs.
A labda a székek közé gurult.
She stood between her two best friends.
A két legjobb barátja között állt.
There’s a small park between the school and the library.
The path runs between the river and the road.
Learner examples
I sat between my mother and father.
Anyám és apám között ültem.
The shop is between the bank and the cafe.
A bolt a bank és a kávézó között van.
He walked between the trees.
The letter was between two books.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'among' instead of 'between' when talking about exactly two items. 'Between' is normally used for two, 'among' for more than two, although 'between' can be used with more when individual items are distinct.
Meaning
in the space separating two things
Collocations
between two buildings
|between the lines
|between us
|between the trees
|between friends
Synonyms
amid (More literary or poetic; can imply being surrounded by many things, not just two.)
Antonyms
outside (Refers to being beyond the limits of something, not in the space between.)
Themes
daily life
|spatial relations
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
In the space that separates two things or people.
In or into the space or area that separates two objects, people, or places.
A2
2
között
A1
Usage pattern:
between [number/time/place] and [number/time/place]
The temperature will be between 20 and 25 degrees today.
A hőmérséklet ma 20 és 25 fok között lesz.
She lived in Paris between 2010 and 2015.
2010 és 2015 között Párizsban élt.
The journey takes between three and four hours.
Learner examples
The shop is open between 9 and 5.
A bolt 9 és 5 között tart nyitva.
I will be away between Monday and Friday.
Hétfő és péntek között távol leszek.
It costs between $5 and $10.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'between to' instead of 'between and' when showing range. The correct form is 'between X and Y'.
Meaning
in a range from one point to another
Collocations
between five and ten
|between 1990 and 2000
|between here and there
Synonyms
from...to... (More explicit structure for marking range; often interchangeable with 'between...and...')
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates a single fixed point rather than a range between two points.)
Themes
time
|measurement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing limits from one number, place, or time to another.
Indicating a range or period from one point, number, or time to another.
A2
3
között
A1
Usage pattern:
between [someone] and [someone]
There is a strong friendship between them.
Szoros barátság van közöttük.
The money was divided equally between the three children.
A pénzt egyenlően osztották el a három gyerek között.
Talks between the two leaders have resumed.
Learner examples
There is trust between us.
Bizalom van közöttünk.
The game is between two teams.
A mérkőzés két csapat között zajlik.
We share the work between us.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'between' with 'with' in contexts like 'agreement with someone' vs. 'agreement between people'. 'Between' emphasizes all parties involved collectively.
Meaning
shared or involving two parties
Collocations
agreement between parties
|discussion between friends
|conflict between countries
Synonyms
among ('Among' can be used for more than two parties without focusing on separateness.)
Antonyms
alone (Indicates no interaction or sharing with others.)
Themes
relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing that something is shared by or involves two or more people or things.
Indicating a relationship, interaction, or division shared by two or more people or things.
B1
4
középen
A2
He stopped halfway between and waited.
Félúton megállt a kettő között, és várt.
The truth lies somewhere between.
Az igazság valahol a kettő között van.
She felt caught between.
Learner examples
He stood between.
A kettő között állt.
The answer is somewhere between.
A válasz valahol a kettő között van.
I am between jobs now.
Meaning
in an intermediate position or state
Collocations
somewhere between
|hovering between
Synonyms
midway (Implies equal distance or position between two points.)
Antonyms
extreme (Refers to being at one end rather than in the middle.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
In the middle of two places, times, situations, or states.
In an intermediate space, condition, or situation separating two others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
between
IPA
GB/bɪtwˈin/
US/bɪtwˈin/
Syllables & stress
between (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: between
- Plural: betweens
Word family
Forms
betweens
noun
Core family
in-between
adjective B2
Related words
go-between
noun B2
Expressions
between you and me
1/bɪtwˈin jˈu ˈænd mˈi/
fixed phrase
used to indicate confidentiality
Used before telling someone something private that they should not tell others.
Examples
- Between you and me, I think he's going to quit soon.
- Between you and me, this is the best cake I've ever made.
caught between a rock and a hard place
1/kˈɔt bɪtwˈin ə ɹˈɑk ˈænd ə hˈɑɹd plˈeɪs/
idiom
facing two equally bad options
In a situation where you have to choose between two bad things.
Examples
- I was caught between a rock and a hard place when both jobs had big problems.
- She felt caught between a rock and a hard place over the decision.
fall between the cracks
1/fˈɔl bɪtwˈin ðə kɹˈæks/
idiom
to be overlooked or neglected in a system/process
To be missed or forgotten when people are trying to help or organize things.
Examples
- Some students fall between the cracks in large schools.
- We must ensure no patient falls between the cracks.
in between
1/ˈɪn bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
in the middle of two points/things
In the middle space or time separating two things.
Examples
- He placed a chair in between the sofas.
- We stopped in between for lunch.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Find hidden meaning in text/speech
To understand a hidden meaning in what someone writes or says.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s unhappy.
- Reading between the lines, I think they’re planning to move.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Infer hidden meaning
To understand what someone really means, even if they do not say it clearly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, his email is actually a complaint.
- Reading between the lines, I don't think they want to hire more staff.
- The report sounds positive, but investors read between the lines and became worried.
Learner examples
- Read between the lines: she is unhappy.
- I can read between the lines.
read between the lines
2/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Understand hidden meaning not stated directly
To understand what someone really means even if they don't say it directly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s upset.
- Reading between the lines, his letter sounds like he’s not happy here.