tray · meal

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 膳 is read ぜん, has 16 strokes, and relates to a serving tray or a prepared meal.
• Basic usage: 膳 is read ぜん, and 御膳 is read ごぜん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 膳 and 御膳
  • 膳 means serving tray or meal.
  • 客の前に朱塗りの膳が置かれました。 means “A red-lacquered serving tray was placed before the guest.”
  • 御膳 means set meal or meal for a person of high rank.
  • 旅館では季節の料理を取りそろえた御膳が出されました。 means “The inn served a set meal featuring a variety of seasonal dishes.”