gap

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is げき, and the kun reading is すき. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for physical gaps and openings in a defense.
• Basic usage: 隙 is read すき and 隙間 is read すきま.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 隙 / 隙間
  • 隙 means gap or opening and is read すき. It refers to a physical gap or an opening in a defense.
  • 相手の守りに隙ができた瞬間、彼は前へ出た。 means “He moved forward the instant a gap opened in the opposing defense.”
  • 隙間 means gap or crevice and is read すきま. It refers to a physical gap or crevice between objects.
  • 扉の隙間から猫が顔を出した。 means “The cat poked its face through the gap in the door.”