noun
trough; gutter; water pipe; flume; chute
Refers to a channel or conduit for water, such as a roof gutter, a wooden trough, or a pipe. Common in construction and everyday contexts.
雨どいが詰まっているので掃除しなければ。
The rain gutter is clogged, so I have to clean it.
昔の家では、樋を使って水をためていた。
In old houses, they used wooden troughs to collect water.
noun
coulisse (of a sword blade)
Only with reading ひ
Rare, specialized term for the groove or channel on a sword blade. Restricted to the reading ひ.
刀剣の世界では、樋は刃の強度を保ちつつ軽くする役割がある。
In the world of swords, the hi (groove) serves to lighten the blade while maintaining strength.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is not essential.
The kanji 樋 is composed of 木 (tree/wood) and 通 (pass through), suggesting a wooden channel for water. The reading とい is native Japanese, while ひ is a rare alternative reading used in specialized contexts.