1.
ditch, channel, groove
A narrow channel or trench dug in the ground for drainage or other purposes.
溝を掘る。
To dig a ditch.
道の脇に溝がある。
There's a ditch beside the road.
レコードの溝に針を落とす。
To drop the needle into the groove of the record.
2.
gap, rift, divide
A significant difference or division between people, groups, or things.
二人の間に溝ができた。
A rift developed between the two.
世代間の溝を埋める。
To bridge the generation gap.
認識の溝が深まっている。
The gap in understanding is deepening.
溝 has two main uses: a physical ditch or groove, and a figurative gap between people or groups.
PHYSICAL MEANING:
A narrow channel, trench, or groove — from roadside ditches to record grooves.
- 溝を掘る: to dig a ditch
- 側溝: roadside drainage ditch
FIGURATIVE MEANING:
A rift or divide, especially in relationships or understanding.
- 溝ができる: a gap forms
- 溝を埋める: to bridge a gap
- 溝が深まる: the gap deepens
- 溝が広がる: the gap widens
SIMILAR WORDS (figurative):
- 亀裂: crack, rift (stronger, often implies damage)
- 隔たり: distance, gap (more neutral)