Translation guide
Describes something wide open, often in a way that is striking, empty, or shocking. Covers physical openings like holes and mouths, as well as figurative gaps.
Describing a physical opening that is large, deep, or conspicuously open.
An adverb often used with 開く (あく) to describe something opening wide, like a hole or gap. Conveys a sense of emptiness or suddenness.
There was a gaping hole in the ground.
Literally 'widely opened'. A straightforward way to describe something gaping, like a wound or entrance.
Blood was flowing from the gaping wound.
A noun meaning 'fissure' or 'gaping crack', often used for tears in fabric, earth, or skin.
There was a large gaping crack in the wall.
Describing a mouth that is open wide, often due to surprise, yawning, or figurative hunger.
Describes a mouth hanging open in surprise or bewilderment. ぽかん is an onomatopoeia for a dazed or stunned expression.
He stared at the scene with his mouth gaping.
Literally 'open one's mouth wide'. Can be used for yawning, eating, or figurative greed.
Onomatopoeic expression for a mouth wide open in shock or amazement. Slightly more vivid than ぽかん.
Describing a large and conspicuous difference or emptiness in non-physical contexts, such as wealth, knowledge, or logic.
Means 'a wide gap' or 'great disparity'. Used for differences in opinion, income, or understanding.
There is still a gaping divide between the two sides.
Refers to a gap in status, income, or quality. Often used in social or economic contexts.
Means 'blank' or 'void'. Can describe a gaping hole in a story, memory, or record.
The lion yawned with its mouth gaping.
Everyone's mouth gaped open when they heard the news.
貧富の格差が広がっている。
The gap between rich and poor is widening (gaping).
彼の経歴には大きな空白がある。
There is a gaping hole in his career history.