cave

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 窟 has 13 strokes and relates to caves and places used as hideouts.
• Basic usage: 洞窟 is read どうくつ, and 巣窟 is read そうくつ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A cave and a den
  • 暗い洞窟へ入った means entering a dark cave.
  • 盗賊の巣窟 refers to a den of thieves.
  • In this context, 巣窟 describes an abandoned house where thieves gather. Its use differs from 洞窟, which identifies an actual cave.