mound · grave

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 塚 means a grave or burial mound; its kun-reading is つか.
• Basic usage: 塚(つか) means a grave or burial mound, while 貝塚(かいづか) means a shell mound.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 貝塚 as a shell mound
  • 貝塚 refers to an archaeological mound containing accumulated shells and other remains, as in a context where pottery is excavated.
  • The final part of this word is づか rather than つか. Learn the whole reading かいづか together with the meaning shell mound.