noun
Refers to the side of the torso, from the armpit to the waist. Synonymous with 横腹 (よこばら).
See also: 横腹 (よこばら)
脇腹が痛い。
My side hurts.
彼は脇腹を押さえてうずくまった。
He crouched down, holding his side.
noun
illegitimate child; child by another woman
Archaic or literary term for a child born to a woman other than one's wife. Rare in modern conversation.
古文書には、脇腹の子についての記述がある。
In old documents, there are descriptions of illegitimate children.
Synonym for the side of the torso; 脇腹 is slightly more common in everyday speech.
Compound of 脇 (わき, 'armpit; side') and 腹 (はら, 'belly'), with rendaku voicing. The archaic sense 'illegitimate child' is a figurative extension.