noun
Physical or metaphorical gap, crack, or empty space between things.
ドアの隙から冷たい風が入ってくる。
Cold air comes in through the gap in the door.
スケジュールに隙がない。
There is no room in the schedule.
noun
break; free time; spare moment
A short period of free time between activities; often used with 時間 or in phrases like 隙を見つける.
仕事の隙にコーヒーを飲む。
I drink coffee during a break from work.
隙を見つけて散歩する。
I find a spare moment to take a walk.
noun
unguarded moment; weak point; flaw
A moment of inattention or vulnerability; also a flaw or weak spot that can be exploited. Common in phrases like 隙を見せる or 隙を突く.
彼は一瞬の隙を見せて負けた。
He showed a momentary opening and lost.
相手の隙を突いて攻撃する。
Attack by exploiting the opponent's weak point.
noun
A favorable moment or opening to do something; overlaps with sense 2 but emphasizes seizing an opportunity rather than just free time.
隙があれば旅行に行きたい。
If I get a chance, I want to go on a trip.
彼は隙を見て逃げ出した。
He saw his chance and ran away.
The kanji 隙 originally means a crack or fissure. The reading すき is the nominalized form of the verb 透く (to be transparent, to have gaps), reflecting the idea of an empty space or opening.