谷間
also: たにあい
Meanings
Geographical sense: a deep narrow valley between mountains. Both たにま and たにあい readings are used.
The village was in a deep valley.
I can hear the sound of the river flowing through the ravine.
Only with reading たにま
Colloquial use, restricted to reading たにま. Refers to the cleavage between breasts.
She wore a dress that emphasized her cleavage.
gap; blind spot; trough; lull
Only with reading たにま
Figurative use, restricted to reading たにま. Refers to a gap, blind spot, or low point in various contexts: economic trough, lull in activity, gap in work, or bottom of society.
In the economic trough, many companies are struggling.
The challenge is how to fill the gaps in our work.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の谷間にあるto lie in a valley between (mountains/places)
This village lies in a valley between the mountains.
- 谷間が見えるcleavage is visible
That dress has a deep neckline, so her cleavage shows.
- 〈事〉の谷間a lull or trough in (something, e.g. business, generations)
In this economic trough, many companies are struggling.