ひら
ひら
noun
flat side; flat surface; palm
1.
flat side; flat surface; flat part
The flat side or face of an object, especially of something with both flat and edged sides like a sword or palm. Often appears in compounds rather than as a standalone noun.
手のひらを広げる。
Spread the palm of one's hand.
刀のひらで相手を叩いた。
He struck his opponent with the flat of the sword.
硬貨のひらの部分にデザインが彫られている。
The design is engraved on the flat face of the coin.
Rarely used on its own in modern Japanese — almost always appears as part of a compound. The root meaning is "the flat side of something."
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 手のひら: palm of the hand
- 足のひら: sole of the foot
- ひらたい (平たい): flat (adjective)
- ひら社員: rank-and-file employee (lit. "flat" employee, no rank)
RELATED:
- Often written 平 with the kanji for "flat," linking it to many other words built on the same root.