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.
懐から手紙を取り出した。
He pulled a letter from inside his clothing.
懐に手を入れて歩く。
To walk with one's hands inside one's clothing.
懐の深い人だ。
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.
懐が寂しい。
My wallet is thin. (I'm short on money.)
懐が暖かい。
One's purse is warm. (Having plenty of money.)
年末は出費が多くて、懐が痛い。
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):
- 懐に入れる: to put inside one's clothing; to win someone over
- 懐が深い: broad-minded, magnanimous
- 懐に飛び込む: to throw oneself into someone's arms; to approach someone boldly
- 懐刀: a trusted confidant (literally, a dagger kept in one's bosom)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS (sense 2):
- 懐が暖かい: to have plenty of money
- 懐が寂しい: to be short on money
- 懐が痛い: to feel the financial pinch
- 懐具合: one's financial situation