Japanese word

片隅

Pronunciation

Romajikatasumi

Meaning

  • nouncorner

Example

部屋の片隅に箱があります。heya no kata sumi ni bako ga a ri ma su

There is a box in the corner of the room.

Illustration for 片隅 (corner)

More examples

彼は片隅で静かに本を読んでいます。kare wa kata sumi de shizu ka ni hon o yo n de i ma su

He is quietly reading a book in a corner.

Core concept

Describes a small area at the edge of a larger space, often with a sense of being tucked away or unnoticed.

Common phrases

  • 部屋の片隅heya no kata sumi

    corner of a room

  • 心の片隅kokoro no kata sumi

    a corner of one's mind

Similar words

隅sumi: A corner or edge of a space viewed in a generally neutral way.
隅っこsumikko: A corner described in a casual and familiar way.
一角ikkaku: One part of a larger area treated as a distinct section.

Definition in Japanese

部屋や場所の中央から離れた、端の一部分。heya ya ba sho no chū ō ka ra hana re ta hashi no ichi bu bun

Word origin

片 (kata, "one side") + 隅 (sumi, "corner") forms 片隅 (katasumi), meaning a corner at one side of a larger space.

Usage tips

  • For near-native usage, 片隅 (katasumi) is useful when a location feels modest or tucked away, whereas 隅 (sumi) can refer more neutrally to a corner or edge.

Other meanings

  • nooknoun

Word lists with this word