ひび
hibi[çibʲi]
The Japanese word for "crack" (to break apart under pressure) is ひび (hibi).
ひび is a noun used to describe physical cracks in solid objects such as glass, ceramics or even on a person's skin.
Meaning: to break apart under pressure (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use ひび in several ways: to form the verb ひび割れる (to crack or to be cracked), you add 割れる to the noun. Another common idiomatic way to say a crack has appeared or formed in an object is to use the phrase ひびが入る (a crack enters).
How do you pronounce it?
hibi
Did you know?
- While we often think of cracks in objects, the word ひび was originally used to describe the chapped, inflamed, and itchy skin caused by extreme cold and dryness.
- The term ひび can be used metaphorically to describe a 'crack' in a human relationship, just as it describes a crack in a ceramic plate.
Examples in context
- この皿、ひび割れてるよ。This plate has a crack.This sentence is useful for noting that a plate has a ひび.Tatoeba #10616035 by small_snow, translation #9841369 by AlanF_US
- カップにひびが入ってるんだよ。The cup has a crack.This sentence is useful for noting that a cup has a ひび.Tatoeba #10891024 by bunbuku, translation #45104 by CK
- そのコップにはひびが入っている。There is a crack in the glass.This sentence is useful for noting that a crack is present in a glass.Tatoeba #213204 by small_snow, translation #50490 by CK
- 机の上にひびが入ってしまった。There's a crack on the desk.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking at an old window in their house.
- 美咲 Misaki窓にひびが入っているよ。mado ni hibi ga haitte iru yo.There is a crack in the window.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ、少し大きいね。hontou da, sukoshi ookii ne.You're right, it's a bit big.
- 美咲 Misaki壊れたら危ないから直そう。kowaretara abunai kara naosou.It's dangerous if it breaks, so let's fix it.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、すぐに業者を呼ぼう。sou da ne, sugu ni gyousha o yobou.True, let's call a professional right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ひび, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ひび, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
