隅（すみ、sumi）
- corner

The Japanese word 隅 (すみ, *sumi*) primarily means "corner," "nook," or "angle." It refers to the point where two or more surfaces or lines meet, forming an interior or exterior angle. It can also describe a small, secluded area or a hidden place. The meaning extends to the notion of the edge or boundary of something, sometimes metaphorically. The word often carries a sense of being out-of-the-way or less prominent.

⚫︎部屋の隅 Translation: The corner of the room. ⚫︎庭の隅で猫が寝ている。 Translation: The cat is sleeping in the corner of the garden. ⚫︎地図の隅に注意書きがある。 Translation: There's a note in the corner of the map.

⚫︎ Use 隅 when describing physical corners (like a room's 隅, the corner of a table) ⚫︎ Use it to talk about a hidden or less visible location (like a secret place in a garden or a quiet 隅). ⚫︎ When pointing to a less prominent detail, like a comment on the side or corner of a document. ⚫︎ It is appropriate in both formal and informal conversations, depending on context.

⚫︎ The word is typically written in kanji as 隅, with the reading すみ (hiragana). ⚫︎ The okurigana (hiragana added to kanji) is not used.

⚫︎ 角（かど, *kado*): This often means "corner" too, but is more often used for sharp angles, or the edge of something. ⚫︎ 端（はし, *hashi*): This means "edge" or "end". ⚫︎ 隙間（すきま, *sukima*): This refers to a "crevice" or "gap".

⚫︎ There isn't a direct antonym. You might use words like 中央（ちゅうおう, *chūō* - center) or 全体（ぜんたい, *zentai* - whole) to express the opposite of a corner or secluded place.

部屋の隅にホコリがたまっている。 ・Translation: Dust has accumulated in the corner of the room. ・Explanation: This sentence describes dust gathering in a 隅 (corner), highlighting the less-visited or maintained part of the space.

その絵の隅にサインがある。 ・Translation: There is a signature in the corner of that painting. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the location of a signature within the visual frame of a painting, emphasizing the 隅 (corner) as the location.

The etymology of 隅 is not well-defined, and origins are uncertain. It is believed to have originated from a combination of sounds and characters related to the idea of corners or edges.