rot

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 腐 is read くさる, has 14 strokes, and relates to rotting and also appears in the fixed food name tofu.
• Basic usage: 豆腐 is read とうふ, and 腐る is read くさる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 豆腐 and 腐る
  • 豆腐 means tofu.
  • 今夜のみそ汁には豆腐を入れます。 means “We are putting tofu in tonight's miso soup.”
  • 腐る means to rot or to sulk.
  • 果物は暑い部屋に置くと早く腐る。 means “Fruit rots quickly if left in a hot room.”