脇(わき)

わき
noun
side, armpit
1. side, beside
The area next to or beside something; the side of something.
脇(わき)に寄(よ)ってください。
Please move to the side.
道(みち)の脇(わき)に車(くるま)を止(と)めた。
I parked the car at the side of the road.
脇役(わきやく)だが重要(じゅうよう)な役(やく)だ。
It's a supporting role, but an important one.
脇役(わきやく) = supporting role/actor
2. armpit
The hollow area under the arm where it joins the body.
脇(わき)が甘(あま)い。
His guard is down. / He's careless.
脇(わき)が甘(あま)い = to be careless, to let one's guard down (idiomatic, from the armpit area being an unguarded spot)
脇(わき)に抱(かか)えて運(はこ)んだ。
I carried it tucked under my arm.
脇(わき)に抱(かか)える = to carry under one's arm
夏(なつ)になると脇(わき)の汗(あせ)が気(き)になる人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
In summer, many people worry about armpit sweat.

USAGE: 脇(わき) refers to the side of something or the armpit area. Often used in compounds.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 脇(わき)に (beside, at the side of)
  • 脇(わき)を通(とお)る (to pass by the side)
  • 脇役(わきやく) (supporting role)
  • 脇道(わきみち) (side road)
  • 脇見(わきみ) (looking away, distraction)

BODY PART: When referring to the armpit, 脇(わき)の下(した) is more specific.

general
Added 2026.1.12 22:34 · Revised 2026.3.2 9:36
03500/03790_waki