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.
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.
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.
地面にぽっかりと穴が開いていた。
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.
He stared at the scene with his mouth gaping.
Literally 'open one's mouth wide'. Can be used for yawning, eating, or figurative greed.
The lion yawned with its mouth gaping.
Onomatopoeic expression for a mouth wide open in shock or amazement. Slightly more vivid than ぽかん.
Everyone's mouth gaped open when they heard the news.
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.
The gap between rich and poor is widening (gaping).
Means 'blank' or 'void'. Can describe a gaping hole in a story, memory, or record.
There is a gaping hole in his career history.