溝(みぞ)

みぞ
noun
ditch, groove, gap
abstract
1. ditch, channel, groove
A narrow channel or trench dug in the ground for drainage or other purposes.
溝(みぞ)を掘(ほ)る。
To dig a ditch.
道(みち)の脇(わき)に溝(みぞ)がある。
There's a ditch beside the road.
レコードの溝(みぞ)に針(はり)を落(お)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(ふたり)の間(あいだ)に溝(みぞ)ができた。
A rift developed between the two.
世代間(せだいかん)の溝(みぞ)を埋(う)める。
To bridge the generation gap.
認識(にんしき)の溝(みぞ)が深(ふか)まっている。
The gap in understanding is deepening.

溝(みぞ) 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.

Figurative meaning

A rift or divide, especially in relationships or understanding.

SIMILAR WORDS (figurative):

Related Words

Related: 亀裂(きれつ) (crack, rift)
Related: 乖離(かいり) (divergence, gap)
Compare: 隔(へだ)たり (distance, gap)
general
Added 2026.2.1 18:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09410_mizo