embankment

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 堤 denotes an embankment; its on-reading is てい and its kun-reading is つつみ.
• Basic usage: 堤防(ていぼう) means an embankment or levee, while 防波堤(ぼうはてい) means a breakwater.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Holding back water and blocking waves
  • 川沿いの堤防 means a river embankment. It appears as a levee whose condition is checked before heavy rain.
  • 港の防波堤 means a harbor breakwater. This word, containing 波, focuses on a structure that blocks waves.