bud

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 芽 is read め, has 8 strokes, and relates to buds or sprouts.
• Basic usage: 芽 is read め, and 新芽 is read しんめ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 芽 and 新芽
  • 芽 means bud or sprout.
  • 植木鉢の土から小さな芽が出ました。 means “A small sprout emerged from the potting soil.”
  • 新芽 means new shoot or bud.
  • 枝先に柔らかな新芽が出始めました。 means “Soft new shoots have begun to appear at the tips of the branches.”