脇 means “armpit, side”

わき · waki

Also: the other way, another place, flank

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

わき, わけ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

キョウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 10 strokes

The story

Flesh (月) and three strengths (力力力): arms pressed in hard at the sides. 脇 is the armpit and the side: 脇役 is a supporting role, 脇道 a side road, and 脇見運転 is driving with your eyes off the road.

Used in 脇 (waki, armpit/side), 脇役 (wakiyaku, supporting role), and 脇見 (wakimi, looking aside)

More from Head to Toe

• 舌 tongue
• 胴 torso
• 拳 fist
• 唇 lips
• 爪 nail
• 瞳 pupil (of the eye)
• 眉 eyebrow
• 股 crotch
• 肢 limb
• 膝 knee
• 喉 throat
• 肘 elbow

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.