confection

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 菓 is read か, has 11 strokes, and relates to confections.
• Basic usage: 菓子 is read かし, and 和菓子 is read わがし.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 菓子 and 和菓子
  • 菓子 means sweet or confection.
  • 来客のために茶と菓子を用意した。 means “We prepared tea and sweets for the guests.”
  • 和菓子 means traditional Japanese sweet.
  • 季節の花をかたどった和菓子をお茶と一緒に味わった。 means “I enjoyed a seasonal flower-shaped Japanese sweet with tea.”