serve · samurai

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: As an independent word, 侍 is read さむらい and denotes a samurai.
• Basic usage: It is used for characters in historical stories and for samurai roles.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Independent word and compound
  • 侍女 is read じじょ and denotes a female attendant. This compound uses じ, rather than the independent reading of 侍.