穴

• Reading: あな
• Romaji: ana
• Kanji breakdown: 穴 (ketsu/ana) — hole, cave
• Pronunciation: /a.na/

Meaning

Hole; opening; gap. A hollow space or opening in a surface.

A versatile noun used for physical holes (in walls, ground, clothing) and figuratively for flaws or gaps. Common expressions include 穴を開ける (to make a hole), 穴埋め (filling a gap), and 穴場 (hidden gem, lesser-known good spot). In horse racing, 穴 refers to a dark horse or long-shot bet.

Examples

1. 靴下に穴が開いてしまった。 I got a hole in my sock.
2. 庭に深い穴を掘った。 I dug a deep hole in the yard.
3. この計画には大きな穴がある。 There's a big hole in this plan.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, figurative speech, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 穴 combines the roof radical 宀 with 八 (divide), representing a hollow space beneath a covering.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal