condition · appearance

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 態 has 14 strokes and the on-reading たい, used in 状態 (じょうたい) and 態度 (たいど).
• Basic usage: 状態 describes the condition of something such as an object or machine; 態度 describes a person's attitude or manner of behaving.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An object's condition and a person's attitude
  • 傷のない良い状態 means good condition without a scratch. 安全な状態に戻してから marks the sequence of returning a machine to a safe state before starting inspection.
  • 態度を改めた means changed one's attitude after being cautioned. 丁寧な態度 refers to a clerk's courteous manner.