bell

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are れい or りん, and the kun reading is すず. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for small bells and bells that ring in the wind.
• Basic usage: 鈴 is read すず, and 風鈴 is read ふうりん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 鈴 / 風鈴
  • 鈴 means bell and is read すず. It refers to a small bell attached to an object such as a collar.
  • 猫の首輪に小さな鈴が付いている。 means “A small bell hangs from the cat's collar.”
  • 風鈴 means wind chime and is read ふうりん. It refers to a chime hung so that it rings in the wind.
  • 軒下の風鈴が涼しい音を立てた。 means “The wind chime under the eaves made a refreshing sound.”