懐
Meanings
bosom; breast pocket; inside of clothing
Primarily refers to the space inside the front of a kimono or garment where items are carried. Also used for the chest area in general.
He took his wallet out from inside his kimono.
Hold the baby to one's bosom.
reach; space between chest and arms
Describes the area within one's embrace or reach, often used in expressions like 懐に飛び込む.
The child jumped into its mother's arms.
Figurative use for the innermost part of a place, such as a mountain or nature. Literary and somewhat poetic.
There was a small village deep in the mountains.
Refers to one's inner feelings or thoughts, often used in expressions like 懐が深い (broad-minded) or 懐を見透かす.
He is a broad-minded person.
See through the other person's thoughts.
money on hand; purse; pocketbook
Colloquial use for the money one is carrying, or one's financial situation. Common in phrases like 懐が暖かい (flush with money) or 懐が寂しい (short of money).
I'm flush today, so I'll treat you.
I'm short on cash, so let's go to a cheap place.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉の懐に飛び込むto dive into someone's arms/reach (e.g., in a fight or approach)
The boxer dove into his opponent's reach and threw a punch.
- 〈人〉の懐を探るto try to figure out someone's true intentions or feelings
I tried to read my boss's true feelings to find out what he really thought.
- 懐に余裕があるto have money to spare; to be financially comfortable
I have some extra money this month, so I'm thinking of going on a trip.
- 懐に手を入れるto put one's hand inside the front of one's kimono or jacket
He put his hand inside his jacket, searching for something.
- 懐から〈物〉を取り出すto take something out from inside one's clothing
The old man took an old photograph out from inside his coat.
Expressions· 13
- 懐が寒いstrapped for cash; hard up; short of money
- 懐が深いbroad-minded; tolerant; magnanimous · (sumo) tall with long reach, hard to grip
- 懐が暖かいflush with money; having a full purse
- 懐が痛むcostly; make a dent in one's wallet; pay out of pocket
- 懐にするcarry in one's pocket; keep on one's person · have on one's person; carry about; take along