ひび（ひび、hibi）
- crack

The Japanese word ひび (hibi) has several meanings, all relating to cracks, flaws, or imperfections. The specific meaning depends on the context. ⚫︎ It can refer to physical cracks, such as in walls, pottery, or skin. ⚫︎ It can also figuratively describe cracks or breaks in relationships or emotional states. ⚫︎ Sometimes, it can imply a split or division.

⚫︎ 壁にひびが入っている。 Translation: There's a crack in the wall. ⚫︎ 陶器にひびがある。 Translation: There's a crack in the pottery. ⚫︎ 二人の関係にひびが入った。 Translation: Their relationship has cracked (become strained).

ひび is used in situations where you want to describe a crack, fissure, or split in something. ⚫︎ It can describe a physical defect. ⚫︎ It can also be used metaphorically to describe a damaged relationship or a broken state. ⚫︎ Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand the specific meaning.

⚫︎ The word ひび is typically written in hiragana. ⚫︎ The kanji ひび (written as 皹 or 罅) exist, but they are less common and more formal. ⚫︎ There are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 割れ目 (wareme): crack, split (general term) ⚫︎ 亀裂 (kiretsu): crack, fissure (more formal) ⚫︎ 傷 (kizu): scratch, flaw, damage ⚫︎ 破れ (yabure): tear, rip ⚫︎ ひび (hibi) is also occasionally used as part of other words, such as ひび割れ (ひび-ware): cracking.

⚫︎ 無傷 (mukizu): uninjured, undamaged ⚫︎ 完全 (kanzen): perfect, complete ⚫︎ The antonyms depend on the context.

古い家は壁にひびが多くて、少し心配だ。 ・Translation: The old house has many cracks in the walls, and I'm a little worried. ・Explanation: This sentence uses ひび to describe physical cracks in a wall.

彼女との間に少しひびが入ってしまった。どうすればいいんだろう。 ・Translation: A little crack has appeared between her and me. I wonder what I should do. ・Explanation: In this example, ひび figuratively describes a strain or problem in a relationship.

The etymology of ひび is not definitively known, but it is likely an older word that directly describes the visual and physical properties of a crack or fissure.