隅

• Reading: すみ
• Romaji: sumi
• Kanji breakdown: 隅 (guu/sumi) — corner, nook
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.mi/

Meaning

A corner; a nook. The inner angle where two walls or edges meet.

Refers to an interior corner or secluded spot, as opposed to 角 (kado), which refers to an exterior corner or edge. Often used to describe quiet or overlooked places. The expression 隅に置けない means someone has hidden talents.

Examples

1. 部屋の隅に本棚を置きました。 I placed a bookshelf in the corner of the room.
2. 猫が隅で寝ている。 The cat is sleeping in the corner.
3. かばんを教室の隅に置いた。 I put my bag in the corner of the classroom.

Usage Guide

Context: describing locations, rooms, spatial descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 隅 combines 阝 (hill/mound radical) and 禺 (a phonetic component), originally suggesting a secluded or tucked-away place.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal