claw · nail

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 爪 has 4 strokes and denotes nails or an animal's claws.
• Basic usage: 爪先 is read つまさき, and 爪痕 is read つめあと.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Tiptoe and a scratch mark
  • 爪先で立った means standing on tiptoe. 爪 in 爪先 is read つま.
  • 細い爪痕が残った means that a thin scratch mark remained. 爪 in 爪痕 is read つめ.
• Scars left by a disaster
  • 激しい嵐の爪痕 means the scars left by a violent storm.