凹み

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 凹み is read へこみ and is a noun formed from 凹む. It describes a dent or a downcast state of mind.
• Basic usage: A dent in a car door and discouragement after a defeat illustrate how the surrounding subject distinguishes physical and emotional meanings.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 凹み and 傷
  • 凹み focuses on a surface pushed inward. 傷 covers scratches and damage more broadly, so the terms describe different aspects of damage.
• Emotional context
  • 凹みから立ち直る means recovering from discouragement.