lush

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 茂 is read しげる, has 8 strokes, and relates to lush growth.
• Basic usage: 茂み is read しげみ, and 茂る is read しげる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 茂み and 茂る
  • 茂み means thicket or bushes.
  • 猫が庭の茂みに隠れていた。 means “The cat was hiding in the bushes in the garden.”
  • 茂る means to grow thick or to flourish.
  • 夏になると庭の草が一気に茂る。 means “The grass in the garden grows thick very quickly in summer.”