Japanese word

切れ目

Pronunciation

Romajikireme

Meaning

  • noungap

Example

雲の切れ目から月が見えます。kumo no ki re me ka ra tsuki ga mi e ma su

The moon can be seen through a gap in the clouds.

Illustration for 切れ目 (gap)

More examples

文章の切れ目が分かりにくいので、段落を分けました。bun shō no ki re me ga wa ka ri ni ku i no de dan raku o wa ke ma shi ta

Because the breaks in the text were hard to see, I divided the text into paragraphs.

Core concept

Describes an opening or interruption within something that otherwise continues as a whole.

Common phrases

  • 切れ目がないki re me ga na i

    have no breaks

  • 切れ目なくki re me na ku

    without a break

  • 切れ目を入れるki re me o i re ru

    make a cut

  • 切れ目のないki re me no na i

    unbroken

  • 文章の切れ目bun shō no ki re me

    break in a text

Similar words

切れ間kirema: A temporary opening or interval in something that normally continues without a break.
隙間sukima: An open space between parts or objects that do not fully meet or close.
途切れtogire: An interruption that stops the flow or continuation of something.

Definition in Japanese

連続している物事の途中に生じた、離れている部分や途切れている箇所。ren zoku shi te i ru mono goto no to chū ni shō ji ta hana re te i ru bu bun ya to gi re te i ru ka sho

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 切れ目 (kireme) combines 切れ (kire, "a break") with 目 (me, "a point or place"), meaning the point where something is cut or interrupted.

Usage tips

  • English uses gap for an opening and break for an interruption, while 切れ目 (kireme) can cover both kinds of discontinuity.

Other meanings

  • breaknoun

Opposites

  • 一続きhitotsuzukiunbroken sequencenoun

Word lists with this word