kudzu

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 葛 is read くず, has 12 strokes, and relates to kudzu.
• Basic usage: 葛 is read くず, and 葛粉 is read くずこ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 葛 and 葛粉
  • 葛 means kudzu.
  • 山道の脇に葛のつるが広がっていた。 means “Kudzu vines stretched along the mountain path.”
  • 葛粉 means kudzu starch.
  • 葛粉を水で溶いて弱火にかけた。 means “I dissolved kudzu starch in water and heated it over low heat.”