steam

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 蒸 is read むす, has 13 strokes, and relates to steaming or vapor.
• Basic usage: 蒸す is read むす, and 蒸気 is read じょうき.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 蒸す and 蒸気
  • 蒸す means steam or be muggy.
  • 鍋でジャガイモを蒸し、柔らかくなったところで火を止めた。 means “I steamed the potatoes and turned off the heat when they softened.”
  • 蒸気 means steam.
  • 鍋の蓋を開けると白い蒸気が上がった。 means “White steam rose when I opened the pot lid.”