1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “隙” (suki) generally means “gap,” “space,” or “crack.” It can refer to a physical opening or a metaphorical gap, such as a lack of time or opportunity.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “隙” is a compound character, formed by combining the radical “阝” (which relates to hills or mounds) and the character “隙” itself, which represents a gap or opening. This character is classified as a 形声文字 (phonetic-ideographic character), where the left part indicates the meaning and the right part provides the pronunciation.
The radical for “隙” is “阝,” which is often associated with locations or geographical features.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “隙” are:
- 隙間 (sukima) – gap or space between objects
- 隙をつく (suki wo tsuku) – to take advantage of a gap or opportunity
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「彼は隙間を見つけて、すぐに行動に移った。」
(He found a gap and quickly took action.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 間 (aida) – meaning “interval” or “between,” which can refer to time or space.
Antonyms include:
- 密 (mitsu) – meaning “dense” or “close,” which conveys the opposite idea of having no gaps or spaces.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “隙” is significant in Japanese culture, often reflecting the importance of timing and opportunity in various aspects of life. It is related to the idea of finding the right moment to act.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include “隙” are:
- 「隙を見せる」(suki wo miseru) – meaning “to show a gap,” often used to describe a situation where someone reveals a weakness.