pier · crosspiece

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 桟 has 10 strokes and appears in words for piers and raised seating.
• Basic usage: 桟橋（さんばし） means a pier or jetty; 桟敷（さじき） means raised viewing seats.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Places and whole-word readings
  • 桟橋 denotes a structure where boats arrive or people cross.
  • In 船が桟橋に着く, a boat arrives at the pier.
  • 桟敷 is read as the whole word さじき.
  • 見物客用の桟敷 refers to raised seats provided for spectators.