ひだ
Meanings
Refers to intentional or decorative folds in fabric, paper, or similar materials, such as pleats in a skirt or tucks in sewing.
The pleats of the skirt are nicely defined.
I arrange the gathers of the curtain.
Used for natural or irregular folds, such as in mountains, skin, or crumpled paper. Often implies a ridge or depression.
There is a small settlement in the folds of the mountain.
A deep crease formed in the paper.
hidden detail; nuance; subtlety
Figurative use: a subtle aspect, hidden complexity, or fine point that is not immediately obvious. Often used in expressions like ひだのある (nuanced) or ひだを読む (read between the lines).
His story has deep nuances.
It's difficult to grasp the subtleties of this text.
lamella; gill (of a mushroom)
Technical biological term for the thin, plate-like structures on the underside of a mushroom cap.
Identify the mushroom species by the color of its gills.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉にひだを寄せるto gather pleats into (fabric)
She gathered many pleats into the skirt.
- 〈物〉にひだができるfor a fold or crease to form on (something)
Some people naturally have a fold form on their eyelid.
- ひだを読むto read between the lines; to grasp a subtle nuance
I try to read the subtle nuance behind his words.
- 〈場所〉のひだが深いfor the folds/ridges of (a place) to be deep
The folds of the mountain's surface are deep.