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.

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.

Compounds

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

Common expressions

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

Related Words

Compare: 腋窩 (armpit)
general
Added 2026.1.12 22:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
03500/03790_waki