bean

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are とう and ず, and the kun reading is まめ. It has 7 strokes and relates to the basic meaning of a bean.
• Basic usage: 豆 is read まめ, and 豆知識 is read まめちしき.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 豆 / 豆知識
  • 豆 means bean. It is a noun read まめ. It directly refers to a bean as a plant seed.
  • 畑で採れた豆を塩ゆでにして夕食に出した。 means “We boiled beans from the field in salted water and served them for dinner.”
  • 豆知識 means useful tidbit or fun fact. It is a noun read まめちしき. It figuratively refers to a small useful or interesting fact.
  • 先生が授業の最後に面白い豆知識を教えた。 means “At the end of class, the teacher shared an interesting fact.”