sleeve

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 袖 is しゅう, and its kun reading is そで. It has 10 strokes and relates to sleeves.
• Basic usage: 袖 is read そで, and 半袖 is read はんそで.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 袖 and 半袖
  • 袖 means sleeve.
  • 長い袖を折って水仕事を始めた。 means “I rolled up my long sleeves before washing dishes.”
  • 半袖 means short sleeves.
  • 暑かったので上着を脱いで半袖になった。 means “It was hot, so I removed my outer layer and wore short sleeves.”