gift

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are ぞう and そう, and the kun reading is おくる. It has 18 strokes and relates to giving or presenting something as a gift.
• Basic usage: 贈る is read おくる, and 寄贈 is read きぞう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 贈る / 寄贈
  • 贈る means give or present. It is a transitive verb read おくる. It is the general verb for giving or presenting a gift or commemorative item.
  • 母の誕生日に手作りの鞄を贈りました。 means “I gave my mother a handmade bag for her birthday.”
  • 寄贈 means donation. It is a noun read きぞう. It refers to donating books, materials, or objects to an institution such as a library or museum.
  • 祖父の蔵書を地域の図書館へ寄贈した。 means “I donated my grandfather's book collection to the local library.”