懐中(かいちゅう)

かいちゅう
noun
pocket; one's purse; bosom
1. pocket; one's purse; one's financial means
Originally referring to the space inside one's clothing near the chest, now commonly used to mean one's pocket or, figuratively, one's financial situation.
懐中(かいちゅう)が寂(さび)しい。
My wallet is thin. (I'm short on money.)
懐中(かいちゅう)から財布(さいふ)を取(と)り出(だ)した。
I took out my wallet from my pocket.
旅行(りょこう)の出費(しゅっぴ)で懐中(かいちゅう)が痛(いた)んだ。
The travel expenses hurt my wallet.
2. portable; pocket-sized
Used as a prefix in compound words to describe items small enough to carry in a pocket.
懐中(かいちゅう)電灯(でんとう)を持(も)ってきてください。
Please bring a flashlight.
祖父(そふ)の懐中(かいちゅう)時計(どけい)は百年(ひゃくねん)以上前(いじょうまえ)のものだ。
My grandfather's pocket watch is over a hundred years old.
停電(ていでん)に備(そな)えて懐中(かいちゅう)電灯(でんとう)を常(つね)に用意(ようい)しておくべきだ。
You should always keep a flashlight ready in case of a power outage.

Literally means "inside the bosom" — the space inside traditional Japanese clothing near the chest, where items were stored. In modern usage, it most commonly appears in compound words and set expressions.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 懐中(かいちゅう)電灯(でんとう): flashlight (literally "pocket lamp")
  • 懐中(かいちゅう)時計(どけい): pocket watch

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 懐中(かいちゅう)が寂(さび)しい: to be short on money (literally "one's pocket is lonely")
  • 懐中(かいちゅう)が温(あたた)かい: to be well-off financially
  • 懐中(かいちゅう)が痛(いた)む: to feel the financial pinch

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ポケット: pocket — the everyday modern word for pocket
  • 懐(ふところ): bosom; purse — a kun'yomi synonym with similar figurative uses for money
general
Added 2026.4.7 4:15
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