How to say "rift" in Japanese

• 切れ目きれめJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'rift' as a break or gap that interrupts something continuous: the place where an unbroken line or stretch is cut or divided. Fits a visible break across an otherwise continuous expanse.
• 亀裂きれつCommon
  nounFor 'rift' meaning a crack or fissure: a narrow split running through rock, ground, or a wall, and also chapped skin. Suggests a thin crack rather than a wide opening.
  耐震性たいしんせいの悪わるい建物たてものに亀裂きれつが生しょうじることもある。↗

  Also cracks may form in buildings that aren't Earthquake proof.
• 割れ目われめCommon
  nounFor 'rift' as a split or opening where something has broken apart. Focuses on the split itself — the place something cracked or burst open — rather than the act of breaking.
  彼かれは割れ目われめをパテでふさいだ。↗

  He stopped up the crack with putty.
• 裂け目さけめCommon
  nounFor 'rift' as a tear or rent: the gap left where something has ripped or torn open, often a long, slit-like opening. Suits material that tears, such as cloth or paper.
  私は壁かべの裂け目さけめから外そとを覗のぞいた。↗

  I peeped out through a crack in the wall.
• 絶え間たえまCommon
  nounCovers 'rift' only as a gap or cleft in something continuous, such as an opening in the clouds. Seldom the word for a crack or split in solid things — a different word is needed.

Use 「切れ目」 for a break or gap in something continuous, 亀裂 for a narrow crack or fissure, 「割れ目」 for a split where something has broken apart, 「裂け目」 for a tear or rent, and 「絶え間」 for a gap in clouds.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 切れ目きれめgap
• 亀裂きれつcrack
• 割れ目われめcrack
• 裂け目さけめtear
• 切れ間きれまinterval
• 石目いしめgrain (of rock)
• 溝みぞgap (between people, countries, etc.)
• 絶え間たえまgap (e.g. in the clouds)
• ひびrift (in a relationship)