garden · yard

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 庭 means a garden or yard; its kun-reading is にわ and its on-reading is てい.
• Basic usage: 庭(にわ) means a garden or yard, while 家庭(かてい) means home or family life.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The yard outside and life at home
  • 家の庭 means the yard of a house. 庭 refers to the space around the home where flowers are planted or children play.
  • 家庭 refers to the home as a setting for activities or family life. It focuses on the household as a setting for life rather than the physical space of a yard.