隙 (xì) - gap & crack

隙Tone 4

xì ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

隙 · xì

gap;

crack;

crevice;

interval;

rift;

opportunity;

discord

gapcrackcrevice

Usage highlights

gapcrackopportunityintervalloopholediscord

Synonyms

  • 缝— seam; crack
  • 裂— split; crack
  • 空— empty space; gap

Antonyms

  • 整— whole; complete
  • 合— join; combine
  • 密— dense; tight

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There is a gap in the wall (墙隙).
  • We need to seize this opportunity (乘隙).
  • Sunlight came through the crack (缝隙).
  • There was a brief interval in the meeting (间隙).

Collocations

  • gap(缝隙)
  • crack(裂隙)
  • opportunity(可乘之机)
  • interval(间隙)
  • loophole(漏洞)
  • discord(嫌隙)

Idioms

  • To seize an opportunity(乘隙而入)
  • No gap to be found(无隙可乘)
  • White horse passing a crack(白驹过隙)
  • Looking for flaws(窥伺间隙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese thought, '隙' represents both physical gaps and metaphorical opportunities or vulnerabilities.
  • The idiom '白驹过隙' from Zhuangzi illustrates how time passes as quickly as a white horse glimpsed through a crack in a wall.
  • In military strategy, '隙' refers to weaknesses in enemy defenses that can be exploited.

FAQ