Japanese word

隙

Pronunciation

Romajisuki

Meaning

  • nounopening

Example

相手に隙を見せません。ai te ni suki o mi se ma se n

I do not give my opponent an opening.

Illustration for 隙 (opening)

More examples

相手の隙を突いて、先に話しかけます。ai te no suki o tsu i te saki ni hana shi ka ke ma su

I take advantage of the other person's opening and speak first.

Core concept

Marks the room created when attention or defenses loosen, allowing someone else to step in.

Common phrases

  • 隙がないsuki ga na i

    leave no opening

  • 隙を見せないsuki o mi se na i

    give no opening

  • 隙を突くsuki o tsu ku

    exploit an opening

  • 隙をうかがうsuki o u ka ga u

    look for an opening

Similar words

弱点jakuten: A vulnerable part of a person, plan, or defense that can be used to gain an advantage.
油断yudan: A state of reduced care or alertness that makes a person less prepared.

Definition in Japanese

守りや準備が不十分で、相手に働きかけられる機会。mamo ri ya jun bi ga fu jū bun de ai te ni hatara ki ka ke ra re ru ki kai

Word origin

The Japanese word 隙 (suki, "opening") is a native word associated with 透く (suku, "to become open"), and its written form expresses the idea of a gap.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 隙を見せる (suki o miseru) often means revealing a weakness rather than showing a physical doorway.

Other meanings

  • gapnoun

Word lists with this word