脇・腋・掖|わきwaki[2]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounarmpit; under one's arm; side; flank
   彼かれがブリーフケースを脇わきに抱かかえてやってくるのが見みえた。↗

   I saw him coming with his briefcase under his arm.
2. nounbeside; close to; near; byalso written as 傍, 側
3. nounaside; to the side; away; out of the way
4. nounoff-track; off-topic
5. noundeuteragonist; supporting roleusu. written ワキ in Noh
6. nounsecond verse (in a linked series of poems)

• SynonymかたわらWrittenWritten/formal word for at one's side; also means 'while doing something else'. 「脇」 stresses the side or a secondary position.
• Synonym腋窩えきかWrittenMedical term for the armpit, used in written/formal prose; in everyday speech say 「脇」 or 「脇の下」.
• Synonym脇の下わきのしたNeutralRefers specifically to the armpit, more precise than 「脇」, which also covers the side or flank.
• Antonym正面しょうめんNeutralThe front of something, the direct opposite of the side sense of 「脇」.
• Antonym中央ちゅうおうNeutralThe very middle, opposed to 「脇」 at the edge or side.
• Antonym中心ちゅうしんNeutralThe center or core, opposed to the peripheral, secondary sense of 「脇」.

Use 「脇」 for the armpit, the side, or a secondary position, as in 「脇役」. For the armpit specifically say 「脇の下」; 「腋窩」 is medical; 「傍ら」 is a written word for at one's side. 「正面」 is the front; 「中央」 and 「中心」 are the middle.

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

1. 人体じんたい及およびその関連かんれん語ご。別べつ用字ようじ:腋わき、掖
2. 腕うでの付け根つけねの内側うちがわ。腋下えきか。
3. 服ふくの袖そでの付け根つけね部分ぶぶん。
4. 上記じょうき1.から派生はせいする概念がいねん。別べつ用字ようじ:側がわ、傍そば
5. そば。かたわら。横よこ。
6. 本来ほんらいの目的もくてきと違ちがう方向ほうこう、場所ばしょ。