凹み・窪み|へこみhekomi[0]heiban (flat)
くぼみkubomi[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
凹み凹み（くぼみ） is the more common written form for this word. It uses kanji and kana and is a suitable default for beginners.
窪み窪み（くぼみ） is a less common written form of the same word. It also uses kanji and kana, so recognize it as a variant rather than your first choice.
Definitions
- nounhollow; cavity; dent; depression
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymピットNeutralA loanword for a pit, a racing pit stop area, or the long-jump sand pit; mostly used in specialized contexts.
- Synonym窪溜まりくぼたまりNeutralA hollow in the ground or water pooled in one; stresses a puddle in low ground and is used less often than 「凹み」.
- Related穴あなNeutralA hole or opening, which can go all the way through; 「凹み」 is only a surface depression and does not penetrate.
- Antonym突起とっきNeutralAn antonym: a part that projects or sticks out locally, the opposite of the sunken-in 「凹み」.
- Antonym出っ張りでっぱりCasualAn antonym, colloquial: a part that bulges or sticks out, the opposite of the sunken-in 「凹み」.
Use 「凹み」 for a spot where a surface is sunken in, as in 「地面の凹み」 and 「目の凹み」; dents from a knock are usually 「へこみ」, and holes that go through are 「穴」. The opposites are 「突起」 and 「出っ張り」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
