cotton

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 綿 has 14 strokes and denotes cotton or cotton cloth.
• Basic usage: 木綿 is read もめん, and 綿 is read わた.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 木綿 and 綿
  • 木綿 means cotton or cotton cloth.
  • 祖母は木綿の布で丈夫な袋を縫った。 means “My grandmother sewed a sturdy bag from cotton fabric.”
  • 綿 means cotton or cotton wool.
  • 人形の中に柔らかい綿を詰めた。 means “I stuffed the doll with soft cotton wool.”