cannon

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 砲 has 10 strokes and appears in words for guns and cannons.
• Basic usage: 鉄砲 is read てっぽう, and 大砲 is read たいほう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Readings for guns and cannons
  • The 砲 in 鉄砲 is read ぽう.
  • 鉄砲を背負って means carrying a gun on one's back.
  • The 砲 in 大砲 is read ほう.
  • 舞台の大砲 means a cannon on stage.