boundary

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 境 means a boundary or border; its on-reading is きょう and its kun-reading is さかい.
• Basic usage: 境界(きょうかい) means a boundary, while 境内(けいだい) means shrine or temple grounds.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A boundary and the space within the grounds
  • 仕事と休みの境界 means the boundary between work and rest. 境界 applies to dividing activities as well as to a physical border between towns.
  • 神社の境内 means the grounds of a shrine. The word refers to the space within the precincts and is read けいだい.