穴(あな)

あな
noun
hole
1. hole, opening
A hollow space or opening in something. Can be natural or man-made.
穴(あな)が開(あ)いている。
There's a hole.
壁(かべ)に穴(あな)が開(あ)いています。
There's a hole in the wall.
庭(にわ)に大(おお)きな穴(あな)を掘(ほ)りました。
I dug a big hole in the garden.
2. gap, vacancy, deficit
A missing part or position that needs to be filled.
予算(よさん)の穴(あな)を埋(う)める。
Fill the budget gap.
Figurative use
スケジュールに穴(あな)ができた。
A gap opened up in my schedule.
彼(かれ)が辞(や)めたら大(おお)きな穴(あな)が開(あ)くだろう。
If he quits, it will leave a big gap.
Figurative: a vacancy that is hard to fill

穴(あな) means hole or opening, used for both physical holes and figurative gaps or deficits.

Common patterns

Usage

Common expressions

  • 穴(あな)場(ば): hidden gem, little-known spot
  • 穴(あな)があったら入(はい)りたい: to want to crawl into a hole (from embarrassment)
  • 大穴(おおあな): long-shot winner (horse racing/betting); also a large hole

Related Words

Compare: 破(やぶ)れ (tear)
general
Added 2026.1.9 20:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01500/01691_ana