脇(わき)

わき

noun

side, armpit

1. side, beside

The area next to or beside something; the side of something.

Please move to the side.

I parked the car at the side of the road.

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.

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)

I carried it tucked under my arm.

脇(わき)に抱(かか)える = to carry under one's arm

In summer, many people worry about armpit sweat.

脇(わき) has two main meanings: the side or beside something, and the armpit area.

SENSE 1 — SIDE:
Refers to an area beside or off to the side of the main focus. Often used in compounds and metaphorical expressions.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

SENSE 2 — ARMPIT:
The hollow under the arm. 脇(わき)の下(した) is a more specific way to say "armpit."

IDIOM:
脇(わき)が甘(あま)い means "to be careless" or "to let one's guard down," from the idea that the armpit area is vulnerable.

COMMON PATTERNS:

general

Added 2026.1.12 22:34 · Revised 2026.5.28 2:08

03500/03790_waki