懐(ふところ)

ふところ

noun

bosom; pocket; purse, finances

1. bosom, breast, inside of one's clothing

The area inside one's clothing near the chest, traditionally used to carry items in kimono. By extension, the inner part of something close to the body.

懐(ふところ)から手紙(てがみ)を取(と)り出(だ)した。

He pulled a letter from inside his clothing.

懐(ふところ)に手(て)を入(い)れて歩(ある)く。

To walk with one's hands inside one's clothing.

懐(ふところ)の深(ふか)い人(ひと)だ。

A broad-minded person.

Figurative: someone with great generosity of spirit.

2. purse, wallet, one's finances

Figuratively refers to one's financial situation or personal funds. This meaning comes from the practice of keeping money inside one's clothing.

懐(ふところ)が寂(さび)しい。

My wallet is thin. (I'm short on money.)

懐(ふところ)が暖(あたた)かい。

One's purse is warm. (Having plenty of money.)

年末(ねんまつ)は出費(しゅっぴ)が多(おお)くて、懐(ふところ)が痛(いた)い。

Expenses are high at the end of the year, and it hurts my wallet.

Originally the space inside a kimono near the chest, used for carrying personal items.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS (sense 1):

懐(ふところ)に入(い)れる: to put inside one's clothing; to win someone over
懐(ふところ)が深(ふか)い: broad-minded, magnanimous
懐(ふところ)に飛(と)び込(こ)む: to throw oneself into someone's arms; to approach someone boldly
懐刀(ふところがたな): a trusted confidant (literally, a dagger kept in one's bosom)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS (sense 2):

懐(ふところ)が暖(あたた)かい: to have plenty of money
懐(ふところ)が寂(さび)しい: to be short on money
懐(ふところ)が痛(いた)い: to feel the financial pinch
懐(ふところ)具合(ぐあい): one's financial situation

general

Added 2026.2.22 13:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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