脇 (xié) - Armpit & side

脇Tone 2

xié ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

脇 · xié

Armpit;

side;

flank;

also used figuratively to mean assistance or support.

Armpitsideflank

Usage highlights

ArmpitFlank attackSide dishSupporting roleSide roadUnderarm sweat

Synonyms

  • 腋— Armpit (more formal/medical term)
  • 側— Side, flank

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He had a book tucked under his arm (脇の下).
  • The soldiers attacked from the flank (脇から攻撃).
  • She provided assistance to the project (脇から支援).

Collocations

  • Armpit(脇の下)
  • Flank attack(脇からの攻撃)
  • Side dish(脇役)
  • Supporting role(脇役)
  • Side road(脇道)
  • Underarm sweat(脇汗)

Idioms

  • To be in a supporting role(脇役に回る)
  • To take a side road(脇道に入る)
  • To whisper in someone's ear(脇で囁く)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Japanese culture, 脇 is commonly used in compound words related to sides, flanks, and supporting roles.
  • The character appears in many everyday Japanese words but is less common in modern Chinese.
  • In martial arts contexts, it refers to vulnerable areas on the sides of the body.

FAQ