leaf

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 葉 is read は, has 12 strokes, and relates to leaves.
• Basic usage: 葉 is read は, and 言葉 is read ことば.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 葉 and 言葉
  • 葉 means leaf.
  • 木の葉が一枚、池の上に落ちた。 means “A single leaf fell onto the pond.”
  • 言葉 means word or language.
  • 分からない言葉をノートに書いておいた。 means “I wrote unfamiliar words in my notebook.”