armpit; underarm
The hollow under the shoulder. Also used in phrases like 脇に抱える (hold under one's arm).
He stood with a book tucked under his arm.
脇の下が汗で濡れている。
My armpits are wet with sweat.
Refers to the area immediately next to someone or something. Often used in the pattern ～の脇.
母の脇に座ってテレビを見た。
I sat beside my mother and watched TV.
駅の脇に小さな公園がある。
There is a small park near the station.
aside; to the side; out of the way
Movement or placement away from the center or main path. Common in 脇に寄る (step aside) and 脇に置く (put aside).
車が通れるように脇に寄ってください。
Please step aside so the car can pass.
その問題はひとまず脇に置いておこう。
Let's put that issue aside for now.
off-topic; digression; tangent
Used when a conversation or thought strays from the main subject. Common in 脇道にそれる (go off on a tangent) and 話が脇にそれる.
話が脇にそれてしまった。
The conversation went off on a tangent.
脇道にそれるのが彼の癖だ。
He has a habit of going off on tangents.
deuteragonist; supporting role (Noh)
In Noh theater, the secondary actor who supports the main character (shite). Conventionally written in katakana as ワキ.
能では、ワキがシテの話を引き出す役割を担う。
In Noh, the waki plays the role of drawing out the shite's story.
second verse (renga)
Abbreviation of 脇句 (wakiku), the second verse in a renga linked-verse sequence. Specialized literary term.
See also: 脇句
連歌では、発句に続いて脇が詠まれる。
In renga, the second verse (waki) is composed after the opening verse.
He walked with his bag held under his arm.
There are a lot of bicycles parked beside the station.
The driver pulled the car off to the side and answered the phone.
The discussion went off on a tangent during the meeting.
side road; byroad · digression; tangent
wakizashi; short sword
under one's arm; in the armpit
looking aside; looking away · outsider's view; eyes of an onlooker
looking aside; looking away; not paying attention
both sides; both flanks
edges of the mouth; corners of the mouth
right armpit; right side
section next to the alcove; side of the tokonoma
sides of the chest
respectful term written after the addressee's name in a formal letter
flanking attendant image (in a Buddhist triad)
second verse in a linked poem
sub-temple; affiliated temple
downstage left (noh); waki's seat
Very rare kanji for the armpit; not needed for active use.