ferment

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is こう, and no kun reading is listed. It has 14 strokes. It appears in words for fermentation and the yeast used in that process.
• Basic usage: 発酵 is read はっこう, and 酵母 is read こうぼ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 発酵 / 酵母
  • 発酵 means fermentation and is read はっこう. It refers to fermentation in dough, beans, or other ingredients.
  • 生地を暖かい場所に置いて発酵させる。 means “Leave the dough in a warm place to ferment.”
  • 酵母 means yeast and is read こうぼ. It refers to yeast used to ferment bread or drinks.
  • この飲み物は果実に付いた天然の酵母で発酵させる。 means “This drink is fermented with natural yeast found on the fruit.”