praise

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 褒 is ほう, and its kun reading is ほめる. It has 15 strokes and relates to praise or commendation.
• Basic usage: 褒める is read ほめる, and 褒美 is read ほうび.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 褒める and 褒美
  • 褒める means to praise.
  • 先生は丁寧に書けた字を褒めた。 means “The teacher praised the carefully written characters.”
  • 褒美 means reward or prize.
  • 約束を守った褒美に、父が本を買ってくれた。 means “My father bought me a book as a reward for keeping my promise.”