(きれつ)

きれつ
noun
crack, fissure, rift
1. crack, fissure
A narrow opening or split in a surface caused by breaking or splitting.
(かべ)亀裂(きれつ)(はい)った。
A crack appeared in the wall.
地震(じしん)道路(どうろ)亀裂(きれつ)(しょう)じた。
The earthquake caused cracks in the road.
氷河(ひょうが)(おお)きな亀裂(きれつ)(はし)った。
A large crack ran through the glacier.
2. rift, division
A serious break or split in relationships, organizations, or unity.
与党(よとう)亀裂(きれつ)(しょう)じた。
A rift formed in the ruling party.
夫婦(ふうふ)関係(かんけい)亀裂(きれつ)(はい)った。
A rift developed in their marriage.
同盟(どうめい)亀裂(きれつ)修復(しゅうふく)不可能(ふかのう)なほど(ふか)い。
The rift in the alliance is so deep it may be irreparable.

亀裂(きれつ) contains the character (かめ) (turtle), referencing the cracked pattern on turtle shells. It's used for both physical cracks and figurative rifts in relationships or organizations.

Common collocations:

  • 亀裂(きれつ)(はい)る: a crack/rift forms
  • 亀裂(きれつ)(しょう)じる: a crack/rift develops
  • 亀裂(きれつ)修復(しゅうふく)する: to repair a rift

Related terms:

  • ()(): crack, split
  • (みぞ): gap, divide
  • {ひび}: crack (physical)